Organizer Information:

The Center for Book Arts (CBA) in New York City is a dedicated space for the exploration of book art as a contemporary artistic practice. Since 1974, it has supported artists and scholars through exhibitions, education, and access to equipment and collections.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the Book Art Research Fellowship 2026.

This fellowship invites researchers and scholars to conduct specific research projects that draw upon CBA's unique collections. The collections serve as a historical record of book art as a creative medium and include three main pillars:

  1. Fine Arts Collection: Artists' books, prints, and objects.

  2. Reference Library: Focused on the practice, theory, and history of book arts.

  3. Archives: Records of original exhibitions and programmatic history.

Fellows are expected to spend a total of 2–3 weeks conducting research on-site at the Center for Book Arts in Manhattan. At the culmination of the fellowship, the selected individual(s) will present their research in a public talk. CBA also retains the first right of refusal to publish the research in their journal, Book Art Review.

Note: This fellowship is intended for scholarly research projects rather than the creation of artworks.

Category:

Research / Art History / Library Science.

Eligibility:

  • Who: Researchers and scholars in art history, literature, book history, library science, museum studies, conservation studies, or other relevant fields.

  • Focus: Projects must utilize the CBA collections.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Stipend: A $1,200 stipend.

  • Access: Full access to CBA's collections and institutional support during the research process.

  • Platform: Opportunity to present a public talk and potential publication.

Application Fee:

Free.

Application Requirements:

Applicants must submit the following:

  1. Resume or CV.

  2. Proposal: A 500–1000 word outline of the research project, including:

    • How holdings from CBA relate to the project.

    • A short bibliography of at least 5 individual resources from the collection to be consulted.

    • A proposed timeline for the residency.

How to Apply?

Submit your application via the official portal linked on the website.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: February 28, 2026.

  • Notification: March/April 2026.

  • Residency Period: 2–3 weeks between April and December 2026 (excluding holidays).

Location:

New York, NY (28 West 27th St).

Contact Information:

Email: collections@centerforbookarts.org

Website: Apply Here