Book Print Collective Member Project Grants

BACKGROUND
The Book/Print Artist/Scholar of Color Collective, founded in 2019 by book artist/printmaker/educator Tia Blassingame, brings Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) book artists, papermakers, curators, letterpress printers, printmakers into conversation and collaboration with Book History and Print Culture scholars into conversation and collaboration with  to build community, support systems.

Our shared passion for book arts and the unique potential of artists’ books as vehicles for social change and racial unity grounds us. Our current and future collaborations across media and disciplines will continue to morph as our group grows and our connections shift and deepen.

WHO WE ARE
We are almost forty members strong. Our membership consists of emerging and established artists, scholars, librarians, educators, and phD students located across the US, Europe and Africa. Due to the pandemic, many have not have regular access to their studios and equipment or have curtailed projects due to changes in employment status. 

Our activities to date have consisted of partnering with organizations like the Bibliographical Society of America (BSA) and Quarantine Public Library for a series of panels and the creation of pandemic-themed instant books respectively. In 2021, collective members have participated in the Bristol Art Book Fair (BABE), Contemporary Artists' Book Conference (CABC) featured at the virtual Printed Matter Art Book Fair, and in the Breathe and Water Is exhibitions at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

MEMBER PROJECT GRANTS
Our goal with this fundraiser is to establish small project grants to assist at least five collective members initially in bringing new work- artwork, exhibit, scholarship, -to life. While subject matter will not be limited, it is our hope that this project support will aid our members in expanding dialogue related to race, ethnicity,  

$500 grants x 5 collective members = $2500

Members will complete a brief application, and awardees will be selected from all complete applications. Preference will be given for projects that will be completed in 2021. Grant funding will be sent to awardees by July 31, 2021 in order to aid projects in-process this summer. 

Support of this fundraiser will aid collective members who may not otherwise be able to launch or complete new work. 

And support that you can give to this fundraisers including extending our reach by sharing it would be greatly appreciated.  Your support will help us continue to grow the depth and reach of this group of talented artists and scholars. 


Tia Blassingame
Founder, Book/Print Artist/Scholar Collective 
www.bookprintcollective.com
www.instagram.com/bookprintcollective