Minnesota Center for Book Arts

Location

Minnesota Center for Book Arts, the largest and most comprehensive center of its kind, is committed to book art, artists and appreciators. Celebrating the book as a vibrant contemporary art form that takes many shapes, MCBA leads the advancement of the book as an evolving art form through quality programs that support a broad continuum of creators, learners and admirers by promoting innovation, sustaining traditions, educating new enthusiasts, inspiring creative expression and honoring artistic excellence. From the traditional crafts of papermaking, letterpress printing and bookbinding to new methods of art-making and communication, MCBA supports the limitless creative development of book arts.

Bibliography: Introduction to Teaching Books Arts
 

Book Making Techniques

• The Pocket Paper Engineer: How to Make Pop-Ups Step-by-Step, Volume 1: Basic Forms, by Carol Barton
   
• The Pocket Paper Engineer: How to Make Pop-Ups Step-by-Step, Volume 2: Platforms and Props, by Carol Barton
   
• The Pocket Paper Engineer: How to Make Pop-Ups Step-by-Step, Volume 3: V-Folds, by Carol Barton
   
• Pop-up design and paper mechanics: how to make folding paper sculpture, by Duncan Birmingham
   
• 500 handmade books, volume 2, by Julie Chen
   
• Handmade Prints: An Introduction to Creative Printmaking without a Press, by Anne Desmet & Jim Anderson
   
• Elements of Pop Up: A Pop Up Book for Aspiring Paper Engineers, by James Diaz & David A. Carter
   
• Bookbinding: Its Background and Technique, by Edith Dieh
   
• Making Books That Fly, Fold, Wrap, Hide, Pop Up, Twist & Turn: Books for Kids to Make, by Gwen Diehn
   
• Simple Printmaking: A Beginner's Guide to Making Relief Prints with Rubber Stamps, Linoleum Blocks, Wood Blocks, Found objects, by Gwen Diehn
   
• Creating Handmade Books: An Illustrated Introduction to Bookbinding Structures, from Simple to Complex; With Advice on Tools and Materials, by Alisa Golden
   
• Making Handmade Books: 100+ Bindings, Structures & Forms, by Alisa Golden
   
• Art Made from Books: Altered, Sculpted, Carved, Transformed, by Laura Heyenga
   
• Papermaking: The History and Technique of an Ancient Craft, by Dard Hunter
   
• New Pop-Up Paper Projects: Step-By-Step Paper Engineering for All Ages, by Paul Johnson
   
• The Art of Making Paste Papers, by Diane K. Maurer-Mathison
   
• Paper in Three Dimensions: Origami, Pop-Ups, Sculpture, Baskets, Boxes, and More, by Diane V. Maurer-Mathison
   
• The Art & Craft of Handmade Paper, by Vance Studley
   
• Altered Art: Techniques for Creating Altered Books, Boxes, Cards & More, by Terry Taylor

History

• The Printing Revolution in Early Modern Europe, by Elizabeth L Eisenstein
   
• The Book: the Life Story of a Technology, by Nicole Howard
   
• The Book on the Bookshelf, by Henry Petroski
   
• Five Hundred Years of Printing, by Sigfrid H. Steinberg

Curriculum Connections

• Literacy Through the Book Arts, by Paul Johnson
   
• Pictures & Words Together: Children Illustrating and Writing Their Own Books, by Paul Johnson
   
• Pop-Up Paper Engineering: Cross-Curricular Activities in Design Technology, English and Art, by Paul Johnson
   
• The Girl with the Brown Crayon: How Childen Use Stories to Shape Their Lives, by Vivian Gussin Paley
   
• Teaching Hand Papermaking: A Classroom Guide, by Gloria Zmolek Smith

Most of these books, and many more titles as well, are available from The Shop at MCBA.

Getting there

Driving directions: Minnesota Center for Book Arts is located on the first floor of the Open Book building. The Open Book building is located in downtown Minneapolis on Washington Ave S between 10th Ave and 11th Ave, near the Metrodome and just across I-35W from the University of Minnesota’s West Bank campus.

Parking information: Limited free parking is available in the Open Book lot adjacent to the building. Please do not park in spaces reserved for building tenants or staff. Events in the building may limit availability of spaces in the Open Book lot.

Reserved handicapped parking spaces are located near both the front and rear entrances to the building.

Parking metered spaces, parking lots and parking ramps are all available nearby. Parking meters rates, time limits, and hours of enforcement vary, so please read the signs carefully. Stadium events can affect parking availability in the neighborhood.

Bus information: The Open Book building is located on Metro Transit bus Route 7 and Route 22. The nearest stop is at Washington Ave S and 11th St, just down the block from Open Book’s front doors.

Rail information: The Open Book building is located 5 blocks east of the Downtown East light rail station (formerly called the Downtown East/Metrodome station).

Bicycle information: Bike racks are available at the front of the Open Book building along Washington Ave, as well as at the rear entrance of the building.