What is Printed Matter?
Founded by artists and artworkers in 1976, Printed Matter fosters the distribution, understanding and appreciation of artists' books and related publications. Printed Matter is one of the world's largest non-profit distributors of artists' books and offers many free programs and services to artists and the public, including our longrunning NY and LA Art Book Fairs. Printed Matter has two locations in NYC: our flagship location in Chelsea and our St Marks location in the East Village. Visit our website and browse our catalog!
www.printedmatter.org
What is the NY Art Book Fair?
Initiated in 2006, Printed Matter’s NY Art Book Fair (NYABF) is one of the leading international gatherings for the distribution of artists’ books, celebrating the full breadth of the art publishing community. NYABF hosts exhibitors from around the world, including a broad range of artists and collectives, activists, small presses, institutions, galleries, antiquarian booksellers, and distributors. The event draws thousands of individuals each year, including students, artists, collectors, and book lovers.
NYABF was held at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City from 2009 to 2019 and we’re deeply grateful for the institution's partnership and commitment for over a decade. In 2022, NYABF returned to 548 W 22nd St, the original location of the Fair in 2006 and 2007. The 2024 edition of the Fair will return to this same venue, just a few blocks away from Printed Matter’s flagship store in Chelsea.
Who is eligible to apply?
Printed Matter’s Fairs strive to showcase a wide range and scope of artists’ books and publishers. Breadth in both the publication format and how you publish (e.g. collective, institutional, DIY, small press), as well as international representation and identity, are taken into consideration during the application review process.
To be eligible to apply:
1. You must publish, sell, and/or distribute art books or artists’ books.
2. Your books must be available for sale, although you may include some free items (i.e. digital works, zines, stickers, etc.).
3. You must have a publishing practice, whether large or small in scope. We are looking for demonstrated dedication to bookmaking and an engaging catalog of published works. This Fair is generally not suitable for showcasing a single title or single book project.
How do I apply to the NY Art Book Fair?
Our application is on Submittable ︎︎︎ There is no fee to apply. You must create a free account to submit. Please make sure your account is connected to an active email address.
The application deadline is Wednesday, November 29 at 11:59pm EST.
What makes a good application?
Your application should include:
1. A clear and concise description of your practice or project. Please tell us what kind of work you make, what communities you’re a part of (if relevant to your practice), what past fairs or exhibitions you’ve participated in, and what makes your publication practice unique or special.
We encourage applicants to emphasize new work and/or inventory, and share with us generous responses relating to their interest in participating. If you’re an exhibitor who has participated in many past Fairs, please be sure to share why you’d like to be a part of this one. In reviewing applications a variety of factors are considered in order to expand representation with a focus on identity, geography, scale of publishing operations, and through the welcoming of first-time exhibitors.
2. Strong images or videos of your publications. You can upload up to 5 files. This can include images of groupings of books, individual books, spreads, detail shots, and photos of past art book fair presentations. Recommended JPG file size: 72ppi and no more than 1000px on the long side. Recommended MP4 length: 3-5min.
3. Creative ideas for presentation. Give us a sense of how your books will be displayed. If you are applying for an exhibitor table with an accompanying wall, share how you’d like to use the space. You can also share details or anecdotes from past experiences tabling at book fairs and how this may shape your presentation for NYABF 2024.
4. Feature artists' books, catalogs, monographs, periodicals, zines, or related printed material. Again, NYABF 2024 is book focused. You are welcome to include other related media such as limited art editions, prints, apparel, performance, original artwork, etc., but these should not be foregrounded in your presentation.
When will I find out whether I’ve been accepted into the Fair?
The deadline for the NYABF 2024 application is Wednesday, November 29 at 11:59pm EST. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible, as participation is confirmed on a rolling basis, beginning in late December/early January. We appreciate your patience. Notifications will be sent to the e-mail address associated with the Submittable account. Please double check these settings.
Each Fair, we receive approximately 700–1,000 applications and we have space for about 300 exhibitors. If you are not accepted, please know that things may shift, and we do maintain a waitlist.
What happens if I’m not accepted into the Fair?
What is the fee structure for exhibiting at NYABF 2024?
NYABF 2024 estimated Exhibitor Fees:
Zine (4ft / 1.21m table) — $175
Zine with partial wall (4ft / 1.21m table) — $250
Single table without wall or partial wall (6ft / 1.82m table) — $600–$900
Single table with wall (6ft /1.82m table) — $1,200–$1,800
Gallery tables range from $2,700–$4,500
Two to three tables with wall (6ft /1.82m tables) —$2,700–$4,500
Project Space — $4,500–$6,500
Available spaces include 4’–18’ of table presentation space, both with and without a wall. Larger areas are available for Special Projects, and also include select furniture.
Fees include booth furniture, exhibitor badges, and inclusion in printed and online materials.
How are exhibitor fees determined?
Printed Matter is a non-profit organization. As is the case for all Printed Matter Art Book Fairs, fees will go directly toward the hard costs of this non-profit production. These include space rental, operations and staffing costs, and programming expenses—including honoraria for artists, speakers, and publishers.
Price ranges noted in the application are approximate. An exhibitor’s fee is determined by the size and location of presentation space, exhibitor category, and the scale of operation. The exhibitor fee does not include associated travel and lodging costs.
Are there opportunities for financial support?
1. The Shannon Michael Cane Award grants four emerging first-time exhibitors (artists, artists' book publishers, or collectives in the early stages of their career) complimentary Fair participation, including an exhibitor table and modest stipend that may be applied towards travel, publication production costs, or other related expenses. This award does not apply to project spaces. To apply, please see details in the application.
2. The Volume Grant is a funding opportunity for BIPOC artists and publishers, launched at NYABF 2022. Applications are reviewed by the Fair team and a jury. Recipients will receive a complimentary table at the Fair, as well as an unrestricted stipend. We recognize the importance of redistribution as a crucial step towards meaningful representation and access. This grant supports the ongoing creative work happening in these communities through assistance with production, travel, and other necessary expenses. This award does not apply to project spaces.
This opportunity is for publishers in all stages and experience in publishing, and we hope to prioritize those who haven’t participated in our Fairs before. Applicants will be reviewed based on demonstrated need and merit. Details on how to apply can be found in the application.
3. If there are funding resources available through your government, universities, or other channels, we are happy to provide an official invitation letter from Printed Matter as well as discuss helping with other related paperwork.
What is the current COVID-19 protocol?
Guests, exhibitors, and staff will adhere to any and all guidelines set forth for gatherings by Federal, State, and local officials and pursuant to applicable law. Masks will be optional at NYABF 2024. We will provide free masks at central locations throughout the Fair venue. Visitor crowdflow will be regulated through ticketing, timed entry, and security.
The Fair will designate pre-registered hours for disabled and immunocompromised people to visit. During this time, masks will be required and enforced for all staff, security, exhibitors, and visitors.
Please email
fairinfo@printedmatter.org for specific access-related questions.
How do we submit proposals for programming?
NYABF 2024 invites a wide range of programming, ranging from lectures, readings, screenings, and music performances, to more site-specific interventions such as workshops, partnerships with community organizations, and more. We will continue our long standing series, The Classroom, which highlights new releases at the Fair and fosters dialogue around important themes in contemporary art publishing and the broader community.
Please submit detailed programming proposals in your application. Due to the high volume of submissions, we are unable to respond to each proposal.
If you are interested in partnering with the Fair and proposing a more involved offsite or online program series, please write to
sanjana@printedmatter.org.
What are Project Spaces?
The 2024 NY Art Book Fair is pleased to host select publication‑focused projects and exhibitions. These featured projects by Fair exhibitors can range from historical surveys and archival presentations to interactive environments with workshops and performances. Past project spaces include interventions by Anteism Books, Gagosian, Arthur Fournier, and Werkplaats Typografie.
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In addition to small exhibitions inside the Fair venue, we are always exploring other ways to reach new communities, uplift mutual aid groups, and include more hands-on experimentation with artists’ books. These projects have emphasized political and social engagement with publishing and have taken the form of installations, workshops, and guided tours. If you have a proposal for a project space, please contact
sanjana@printedmatter.org to learn more.
Are there opportunities to work or volunteer for the Fair?
We assemble an incredible team to help support exhibitors and visitors during the Fair weekend. When we are ready to hire for these positions closer to the Fair dates, we will make an announcement online, via
social media ︎︎︎ Please check back for an update.
How do I learn about sponsoring or partnering with the Fair?
Printed Matter’s Art Book Fairs are community-driven non-profit events. We love creating dynamic partnerships with brands and cultural organizations that share our values and vision to help bring our common goals to life. If you’re interested in learning more about how to get involved and partner with us, please write to
krista@printedmatter.org.
How can I support the Fair with a financial or in-kind donation?
Our non-profit gathering is made possible in part through the generosity of our many supporters. To connect with us about the various ways you can participate, including through the NY Art Book Fair Committee or through an in-kind contribution, please email
krista@printedmatter.org. We’re deeply grateful to our previous partners and donors for their inspiring generosity.