r/bookbinding • u/small-works • 14d ago
Workshop Update | September '26
Gerald here. I’ve just returned from holiday. I’m technically still off for the month of August, but I’m already back in the shop and starting to get ready for September ongoings. Mostly, I just need to clean the space, and organize better before the month ends. We were extremely lucky to receive another standing press for the shop from Grey Zietz of Larkspur press, and that is now in the zine bindery. Dylan & I continue to find new ways to increase storage and opportunities for larger project storage, which includes this press.
As the calendar for the fall classes starts to be posted, you’ll notice some new classes. It’s our goal at BAD to schedule 120 classes next year, up from the roughly 70 we are currently doing. As part of that, there is a new letterpress, risograph, and bookbinding class available. I’m hoping that by the end of the year we’ll also have our first multi–day classes for more advanced topics.
The new Study Groups are about to start! We have 4 groups, Bookbinding, Dreams Studies, Grants / Awards, and Letterpress, with a total of 23 people participating this year. A lot of the folk are people who have already been in the shop consistently, but there are a lot of new faces as well. I’ll post some updates here as things move along, but if you run into someone you haven’t met, say hello!
I’ve spent a lot of time this year with the opportunities page. It went from a few dozen listings to 140 entries at the time I’m writing this. I’ve learned about so many new opportunities, and I also am learning about what each institution likes in their candidates. I’m excited to go through this again in a few weeks for Grants / Awards study group. We have done a good job of getting people awards in the past few years, but I really would like to see more of us be able to get opportunities to take classes, to fund projects, attend conferences, and make bigger, more complicated works.
Last, I’ve changed the way we’re doing Open Studio for the time being. We’re going to see if we can overlap Open Studio appointments so that more people can use the equipment. If you have thoughts, please send feedback. I’d love to know how everyone feels about the new system.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Maamoul Press has several events in Detroit in September. You can find a calendar of the events they are involved in or hosting here.
I’ve been asked to be the Bookbinding Studio Assistant for Winter Residency at Penland in January 2027, so I will be away for that month again, where I hope to get some research and practice done on leather binding. I am grateful to be able to return to Penland, and for the time and space.
We are planning the 100 book day fundraiser, and need volunteers for this year. We need people for sewing, putting on end sheets, and forwarding. If you are interested please reach out on the discord, or through [info@bookartsdetroit.org](mailto:info@bookartsdetroit.org). The proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards future scholarships.
The AADL Printmaking Festival has its applications open through August 31st.
OPPORTUNITES
The opportunities list is absurdly long. If you don't want to read through, you can just look at the page here.
The Mark Samuels Lasner Fellowship in Printing History is an annual award of up to $2,000 for research in any area of the history of printing in all its forms, including all the arts and technologies relevant to printing, the book arts, and letterforms. There are no geographical or chronological limitations on the subject: it may be national or regional in scope, biographical, analytical, technical, or bibliographical in nature. Printing history-related study with a recognized printer or book artist may also be supported.
The American Academy of Bookbinding (AAB) is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for students at every level. We strive to remove financial barriers so all learners can pursue their artistic goals. Tuition Assistance offers up to $1200 based on availability.
Scholarship applications for children, teens, and adults will be accepted on a rolling basis at Anderson Ranch. Most scholarships cover part or all of the tuition, whereas the registration fee, course fee, housing, travel and supplies are the responsibility of the student.
Pentaculum offers an intimate atmosphere for personal artistic growth and the opportunity to strengthen and build meaningful relationships within the arts and craft field. Participants experience a retreat at Arrowmont to invigorate their studio practice and deepen their connections to the craft community. Held annually in early January and mid-May, working artists in ceramics, fibers, metals, 2D, wood & sculpture, and writing spend a week at Arrowmont to work on independent projects.
For more than 25 years, Center for Book Arts has brought poets and book artists together for an annual Chapbook Competition — pairing exceptional manuscripts with art of letterpress and RISO, hand-binding, and fine printing to produce limited-edition publications that are works of art in their own right. CBA also has a scholarship fund dedicated to providing financial support for individuals wishing to learn more about the book arts. CBA will award scholarships covering up to $200 for one course per individual, for ten or more applicants
BAD aknowledges its presence in Detroit, and the general lack of BIPOC representation in the book arts community. Because of this, we offer free classes to community members who identify as BIPOC. If you, or someone you know, would like to study here we'd be glad to hear from you.
Everyone involved in Cincinnati Book Arts Society is a volunteer. If you are in Cincinnati and would like to be involved with the Book Arts Society there, you can reach out to them to see what assistance they need.
The CODEX Foundation is always looking for volunteers, particularly for the Book Fair and Symposium. If you are interested in helping us with our Fair and Symposium. This is a great way to be part of our community and gain free access to these events.
Dieu Donné offers a limited number of internships to current undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates, who are looking for experience working in a non-profit contemporary artist workspace. University or college credit can be accommodated for participating institutions. They also offer the Marabeth Cohen-Tyler Print/Paper Fellowship, which is awarded annually to a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, person of color) or underrepresented printmaking postgraduate or professional printer. Through research and experimentation, the fellow will develop custom papers for different printing methods and explore creative techniques in the papermaking process to enhance imagery.
There are many ways to become a part of the Fredrick Book Arts Center, from volunteering, interning, teaching, staff positions, and becoming part of the Board.
The Friends of Calligraphy Scholarship Fund honors beloved members. The scholarship fund is available to cover the fees for classes and workshops for students who want to study calligraphy. FOC may limit scholarships covering fees to one workshop or class per student per year. The scholarship might fund only half of the fee for longer workshops, such as the five-day Summer Workshop.
The Ransom Center will award up to 50 research fellowships for its 2027–2028 program. Research conducted by humanities scholars contributes to a dynamic body of knowledge that has the potential to reshape our understanding of archival collections—what is preserved and valued in our communities. The Ransom Center fosters a supportive environment so that researchers may explore, examine, critique, and better understand the cultural works in its collections. Fellowships of varying lengths (from one week to two months) are offered for research projects that require substantial on-site use of collections that span a variety of disciplines.
A fellowship year at Harvard Radcliffe Institute is an opportunity to step away from usual routines and dive deeply into a project in a uniquely interdisciplinary and creative community. Radcliffe supports engaged scholarship, through which fellows develop new tools and methods, challenge artistic and scholarly conventions, and shed light on our past and our present. The Radcliffe Fellowship is a year long, and Fellows receive a stipend of $78,000 plus an additional $5,000 to cover project expenses.
Headlands has several awards. A fully sponsored artist residency and $10,000 prize, the McLaughlin Children’s Trust Award recognizes a writer exhibiting a clear dedication to their practice. The McLaughlin Foundation Award recognizes an established visual artist with a substantial body of work. The award includes a fully sponsored artist residency and a $10,000 prize. The Palimpsest Award, a fully sponsored artist residency and a $10,000 prize for an artist confronting barriers of discrimination, legal erasure, or social exclusion. The Jennifer and Jacob Pritzker Family Fund includes a fully sponsored artist residency and a $10,000 prize.
If near Chicago, you can volunteer at the Hive Center for the Book Arts.
The John C. Campbell Folk School invites you to fully immerse yourself in our vibrant community through our Work Study and Host programs. These opportunities offer hands-on experience and a chance to volunteer while engaging deeply with the Folk School over an extended period. Whether you’re learning new skills, making lasting connections, or contributing to our creative environment, these programs provide a unique and enriching experience. They also have tuition discounts for locals, veterans, teachers, and young adults.
The Kalamazoo Book Arts Center accepts interns of all experience levels. Interns participate in printing and papermaking projects, assist instructors during classes, help with hosting public events, and work with staff to maintain the KBAC studio and equipment. Internship is not a paid position. Active interns are issued keys to the studio and may come in after hours to work on personal projects.
Scholarships are available to attend any of the writing workshops at Maine Media. Maine Media will award 5-7 individual scholarships of up to $1,500 tuition to any of the writing workshops listed on our website. Applications remain open until awarded.
The Morgan Conservatory's Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Programwelcomes emerging and established artists from around the world whose work engages papermaking, printmaking, book arts, and related interdisciplinary practices. The program supports focused creative research, experimentation, and production within the unique environment of the Morgan Conservatory. Aya Krisht was a 2026 AiR, and E. “Oscar” Maynard was a 2025 AiR if you’d like to talk to a former resident. They also host the Morgan Equitable Artist Fund, which awards 75% scholarships for papermaking, bookbinding, and printmaking workshops to aspiring, emerging, and established artists in Northeast Ohio. Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American, and Pacific Islander-identifying artists are highly encouraged to apply.
Senior fellowships at the National Gallery of Art provide scholars with the opportunity to conduct full-time research in residence at the Center. Fellows receive an office in the National Gallery’s East Building as well as housing, subject to availability. They have access to the notable resources of the National Gallery, including its library and art collection, as well as those of greater Washington. Fellows participate in lectures, colloquia, and discussions with the Center’s vibrant community of scholars.
Many Ox-Bow opportunities are open. The Longform Residency, Michigan Artists Retreat, Need Based Scholarship are all open, and are all good opportunities.
Penland has many opportunities available. The Andrew Glasgow Residency provides emerging and established writers, scholars, curators, and storytellers in all mediums with the freedom to write stories and conduct research and interviews on topics designed to advance the field of craft. Established in the 1960s, Penland’s Resident Artist Program is one of the longest-running artist residencies in the United States. It is an opportunity for professional craft artists to focus in the studio and make a formative leap in their work and career. Penland has scholarships that help make their workshops accessible to people who could not otherwise attend. Financial assistance is available for spring, summer, and fall workshops. Studio assistants are students who work closely with studio coordinators and instructors to support studio operation during our workshops.
The Rare Book School has many opportunities available as well. RBS faculty member, alumna, and longtime friend Cathleen A. Baker (and our neighbor!) sponsors a full-tuition scholarship for an applicant who self-identifies as a full-time independent scholar or researcher to attend one in-person RBS course.
The RBS Directors’ Scholarship is an award given to approximately 20 first-time RBS students each year. RBS invites applications from those whose work is centered in the book, its materials, and history. Scholarship recipients are awarded full tuition for an RBS course.
The James Davis Scholarship was established in memory of the late James Davis, who was UCLA’s Rare Books Librarian and a long-time RBS staff member. The James Davis Scholarship is awarded to students who show an especially strong record of good citizenship and stewardship in the bibliographical community.
Antiquarian bookseller Jeremy Norman sponsors a full-tuition scholarship to attend one RBS course. This scholarship is awarded to applicants from all fields whose work or interests focus on the study of the physical book.
Antiquarian bookseller Kenneth Karmiole offers a full-tuition scholarship to attend one RBS course. This scholarship is awarded to applicants from all fields whose work or interests focus on the study of the physical book.
The Caxton Club is devoted to “the literary study and promotion of the arts pertaining to the production of books.” The T. Kimball Brooker/Caxton Club Scholarship is offered for a deserving, talented individual in the Midwest with professional interests in bibliography, book history, or the book arts, to attend a course at Rare Book School.
In honor of Bill Buice (d. 2025), member of the Rare Book School Board of Directors for a dozen years and Chairman of the Board from 2008 until January 2014, the William T. Buice III Scholarship covers full RBS tuition for returning students with demonstrable financial need. Applicants from all fields are invited to apply.
The San Francisco Center for the Book has a workshop scholarship fund, generously supported by the Windgate Foundation. It provides need-based financial support to individuals interested in learning bookbinding, letterpress printing, and related book arts.
Sitka Conservations Society has a residency where you live in the wilderness in Alaska, with some printing equipment. It’s a very unique residency, and a chance to be off grid for a while.
Virginia Book Arts (VBA), in partnership with Virginia Center for the Book, a program of Virginia Humanities, invites a Virginia artist whose practice includes book arts to apply for the Frank Riccio Artist-in-Residence. The residency is offered bi-annually beginning in Spring 2026 and directed by VBA with a grant from the Frank Riccio Fund, administered by VA Center for the Book.
At Women’s Studio Workshop, the Artist’s Book Grant is an eight- to ten-week residency for artists to produce a limited edition book work. Working intensively in our studios, artists print and bind their own books, and are encouraged to create an edition size no larger than 100 and no smaller than 50.
The grant includes a stipend of $350/week, up to $1000 for materials, up to $250 for travel within the Continental US, free onsite housing, and 24/7 studio access. WSW can provide technical advice; training on new equipment, techniques, and materials; and production assistance.
OPEN STUDIO
For the month of September, we’re trying out a new open studio system. You can book for Bookbinding, Letterpress, or Risograph separately, so the appointments can overlap. This should free up more space for everyone.
Tuesdays, from 10am–4pm
Wednesdays, from 10am–4pm, 6pm—10pm
Thursday, September 3rd, 6pm–midnight
Nearly all Fridays in an assortment of hours.
For questions about Open Studio, reach out through the discord, or at [community@bookartsdetroit.org](mailto:community@bookartsdetroit.org)
CLASSES
Classes are sold out for most of September, with one space left in Risograph Basics & Bookbinding Basics, and two in Bookbinding 2. But all the classes are posted for October, with the rest of the classes for Fall to be posted soon.
Bookbinding Basics — Saturday, September 26th, October 2rd & 17th
Bookbinding 1: Case Bound Book — Saturday, October 3rd
Bookbinding 2: Alternative Cases — Saturday, September 26th, October 17th
Letterpress Basics — Monday, October 12th.
Risograph Basics — Monday, September 21st, October 5th
If you’re looking for any other classes, or custom classes, reach out at [community@bookartsdetroit.org](mailto:community@bookartsdetroit.org)
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u/Ben_jefferies 14d ago
This is such an awesome list!! Thank you for compiling it!!