The Center for Book Arts in New York City is the first organization of its kind in the United States dedicated to contemporary interpretations of the book as an art object while preserving traditional practices of the art of the book. Founded in 1974 by book artist and master bookbinder Richard Minsky, the non-profit organization offers over 100 classes and workshops in bookbinding, letterpress printing, paper marbling, typography, and related fields. The center in Manhattan features a exhibition space which is open to visitors. This organization also offers opportunities beyond these classes, including their annual Poetry Chapbook Competition, internships, and scholarships. Their work is channeled through five program areas: exhibitions, lectures, publication, services to artists, and classes. In 2017 the Center for Book Arts was awarded a New York City Cultural Tourism Grant.
Collections Initiative
According to their 2011 Annual Report, the Center for Book Arts debuted their digitized collections in October 2010. This Collections Initiative was intended to advance their collections and make them digitally accessible to artist members and teachers alike. It was launched in 2007. The collections include the Fine Art Collection, Reference Collection, and Archives Collection. Each of these collections can be viewed on their main website paired with a detailed record of the item. While the Center of Book Arts emphasizes the creative, newly interpreted forms of their artists' works, there are a significant amount that appear traditional. ; Fine Art Collection : This collection presents new interpretations of the book form and other media as art. Works range from postcards with three dimension adornments, to recycled over-used paper and books that fold out from cases. ; Reference Collection : This collection includes works that are meant for instructional use. Works can be physically traditional but present creativity within the text. For example, having text in parallel lines of English and Hungarian or simple hand-lettering. ; Archives Collection : This collection documents the Center of Book Arts history, including exhibitions, classes, publications, and promotional materials.
Blog
The organization's official blog acts as a means to highlight their artist members. Each post is a brief individual biography followed by some photographs and a touch upon what interests the artist. The blog can be used for gaining insight to the artist.
Publication
is the sole distributor of Center for Book Arts artists' works. The works of this organization's artists can be found in the Artist Marketplace, linked on the main website. It is a place exclusive for the sale of artist members' works. Twenty-five percent of all sales is given back to the organization for advancement. In addition to individual artists' sales, a special edition artists' book is published each year, in a similar fashion to the prize poetry chapbooks determined by the annual Poetry Chapbook Competition.
Exhibitions
Works made a part of an exhibition are presented within the functioning studio, among the artists' works that are still in progress. Each season runs about four exhibits. Past exhibits include:
From Bande Dessinee to Artist's Book: Testing the Limits of France-Belgian Comics.
