MCBA was established in 1983. Two years later, it moved to the first floor of the McKesson building, at 24 North Third Street, in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis. In this space, MCBA established educational, artistic, and community programs to introduce book arts to the public and promote appreciation of artists' books, fine-press publications, broadsides and other artworks created using book art techniques. In 2000, MCBA joined The Loft Literary Center and Milkweed Editions in establishing Open Book, a center for literary and visual arts, in downtown Minneapolis. The building creates a lively destination for a diverse public interested in books, book arts and literary endeavors of all kinds. In 2004, MCBA served as a partner in the Walker Art Center's "Walker Without Walls" as a satellite location for No Reading Required, an exhibition of artists' books from the Walker's library.
Programs
Education programs include workshops in book art disciplines for adults, teens, teachers, youth and families; Book Arts in the Schools custom in-school residencies; and workshops to equip teachers to incorporate book arts into their classroom curricula. Artistic programs include critically acclaimed exhibitions; By Design, a co-op program for teen artists, including education, mentorship and exhibition opportunities; an annual Winter Book publication; artists’ residencies and competitive fellowships; studio and equipment rental; and an artists’ cooperative. MCBA also co-sponsors and administers the Minnesota Book Artist Award, presented each year to a Minnesota book artist in recognition of his or her body of work and contributions to the book arts community. Community programs include participation in numerous public festivals, fairs and events, and Free Family Days at MCBA's studio facilities, designed to provide free art-making opportunities for families and children of all ages. MCBA celebrates Wayzgoose with an annual member and donor appreciation event. MCBA's facilities also include The Shop at MCBA, which features works for sale on consignment from book artists across the country and around the globe, and the James and Marilynn Alcott Library and Archives.
