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.

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 Willis Library Forum from January 8–March 9, 2018.

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 8– March 9, 2018 in the Willis Library Forum, 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 6' in any direction. All entries meeting this eligibility requirement will be displayed in the Willis Library Forum from January 8–March 9, 2018, and a reception for all of the entries and winners will be held in February 2018. A maximum of three books may be submitted.  There is no jury fee.

Entry Procedure

A completed entry form, identification labels attached to individual works, notification form, and SASE for return of notification form must be included with the artwork.  Work will be accepted December 4–15, 2017.  Rules and entry forms are available to download and print.

Deadline: Friday, December 15 by 4:00pm.

Artists are encouraged to hand-deliver work to Willis Library, Library Services Desk, UNT, between 9am and 4pm 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: Mandy Rausch
University of North Texas
Willis Library
1155 Union Circle
#305190
Denton, Texas 76203