Artists’ Book Competition and Biennial Exhibition - Miniatures Edition

Please note: Due to library construction some dates for the Artists’ Book Competition have changed.

Purpose

The purposes of the competition and exhibition are: to encourage the development of students’ work in the medium of Artists’ Books, to foster the creation of Artists’ Books, to reward excellence and creativity in the Artists’ Books, and to build the collection of Artists’ Books in the UNT Libraries’ Special Collections.

For the first time ever the competition is themed, with entries needing to be miniature books. Miniature books are those that measure no more than three inches on all sides. All entries must fit this size requirement in order to be accepted into the biennial competition.

Entries will be accepted in two categories: a Student Purchase Prize category and a Non-Student category. One winner will be selected from each category, but the $400 purchase award will only be given to the winner of the student category. Honorable mention awards will be given in each category at the discretion of the jurors. Additional entries from both categories may be selected for purchase dependent upon availability and budget restrictions of UNT Special Collections.

Student Purchase Prize Category

All eligible entries in the Student Purchase Prize category must be available for purchase into UNT Special Collections for $400. The item chosen for the purchase prize will become a permanent addition to the Artist Book Collection in UNT Special Collections and will be on display with the other eligible entries in the Special Collections Sarah T. Hughes Reading Room from January 13 – January 31, 2020.

Non-Student Category

Although entries in this category are not eligible to win the purchase award, the competition is open to alumni, faculty, and staff of the University of North Texas and members of the local community. If you would like to enter up to three items in the competition, you are highly encouraged to do so. Even though the items are not eligible for the prize, if accepted, they will be on exhibit with the others from January 13 – January 31, 2020 in the Special Collections Sarah T. Hughes Reading Room, which will give the work exposure to the community.

Eligibility Requirements

Any Artists’ Book created within the last two years is eligible. All media are welcome, although submitted work may not exceed 3” in any direction, to fit within the miniature book theme of this year’s competition. All entries meeting this eligibility requirement will be displayed in the Willis Library from January 13 – January 31, 2020, and a reception for all of the entries and winners will be held in January 2020. A maximum of three books may be submitted. There is no jury fee.

Entry Procedure

A completed entry form (type or print legibly), identification labels attached to individual works, and SASE for return of entries if being mailed must be included with the artwork. Work will be accepted December 2 – 13, 2019. All communications with participants will be through email unless participant indicates another preferred method.

Deadline: Friday, December 13 by 4:00 p.m.

Artists are encouraged to hand-deliver work to Willis Library, Administration Office, Room 223 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Work may be shipped in a reusable container prepaid via UPS, Parcel Post, or FedEx. It is the artist’s responsibility to include return shipping (please do not enclose checks or cash). Ship work(s) to:

UNT Libraries Artists’ Book Competition Attn: Jodi Rhinehart-Doty University of North Texas Willis Library 1155 Union Circle 305190 Denton, Texas 76203

Return of Work

All hand-delivered work not accepted for the exhibition must be picked up from Willis Library, December 18 - 20, 2019 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. All shipped works not accepted will be returned in original packing material by December 23, 2019. Any shipped works that do not include return shipping must be picked up no later than December 23 by 4:00 p.m.

Liability

All reasonable precautions will be taken to ensure the protection of the work while in the care of the UNT Libraries. However, no liability will be assumed by the University of North Texas, its staff, faculty, or students for loss or damage to any work submitted for any reason before, during, or after the competition and exhibition. Insurance is the responsibility of the artist.

Calendar

December 2 – 13, 2019 Delivery of work from the artist to Willis Library, Administration Office, Room 223

December 18, 2019 Jurors’ selections completed

December 19, 2019 Notifications made

December 20 – 23, 2019 Works not accepted will be returned or picked up

January 22 – February 7, 2020 Exhibition of all accepted works in the Special Collections Reading Room

February 14, 2020 All exhibition works picked up or shipped to the artist by this date

Checklist

• Please be sure to include a completed entry form with your entries.
• If shipping work, please include return postage and pack in a sturdy reusable box.
• If return postage is not included, works may be picked up in person in Willis Library by February 7, 2020. UNT Libraries is not responsible for works not picked up by February 7, 2020

This event is sponsored by the UNT Libraries.