Dense is pleased to announce that the third annual JERSEY ART BOOK FAIR is returning to Jersey City Feb 21-23, 2025! We welcomed over 3,000 attendees last year and we look forward to growing the print-lover community in 2025. We're also expanding to three days.
DEADLINE! UPDATED Call for Exhibitors is extended through Dec 1, 2024.
We're so excited to grow the print-lover community that we've made some changes we hope you like!
NEW IN 2025:
💫 We're expanding to welcome over 200+ book artists, zine makers, small presses and indie publishers across genres and subjects.
💫 Pay-as-you-wish Sat+Sun PLUS free parking, timed entry and programs!
💫 We're adding an extra day before the fair (2/21/25), full of great programs that exhibitors can actually attend!
💫 We've upgraded to this new application and advisory jury platform. We'll have the option for a waitlist as well as some cool options for Exhibitors to sell selected works through our Fair app.
💫 We're introducing a theme! Returning back to where we started, Jersey Art Book Fair will be held in Mana Contemporary. Located in the heart of Jersey City’s vibrant arts district, Mana Contemporary is known for its innovative exhibitions and support for creative expression. We hope to honor those missions by way of our inaugural theme, “Portals to Somewhere,” where we invite book artists, zine makers, and independent presses and publishers to respond with new works in print.
💫 We're also inviting teachers, professors, youth organizers, local galleries and cultural centers to respond to our theme and share the love of print. If you'd like more info about how your class or gallery can participate, please email your interest to info@jerseyartbookfair.org.
WHO CAN APPLY? UPDATED
Jersey Art Book Fair is now accepting applications for Exhibitors through December 1, 2024. We strive to showcase the widest range and scope of small presses and independent publishers, in the form of exhibitors and events. From the breadth of publication format to how you publish, i.e. collective, institutional, DIY, small press, we take your passion for book arts into consideration during the application review process.
To be eligible to apply:
You must publish, sell, and/or distribute artists’ and designers' books, zines, catalogs, monographs, graphic novels, comics, photo books and pamphlets, as well as various print ephemera, i.e. posters, prints, maps, and broadsides.
Your materials must be available for sale.
You must have a publishing practice, whether large or small in scope. We are looking for demonstrated dedication to making artists' books, zine and an engaging catalog of published works
WHAT DOES IT COST TO APPLY AND EXHIBIT?
First the hard news: Because it takes hours of time to manage the entire application process, we have to increase our application fee from $5 to $10.
The great news? If you're accepted as an exhibitor, we'll credit you back the application fee! More great news... No increase on Exhibitor fees!
ONE-DAY EXHIBITOR (Sat, 2/22/25 or Sun, 2/23/25)
SMALL: $85 [4' table w/o wall]
SMALL+: $110 [4' table w/ wall]
MEDIUM: $125 [6' table w/o wall]
MEDIUM+: $165 [6' table w/wall]
LARGE: $195 [4'+6' L-shaped w/o wall]
LARGE+: $255 [4'+6' L-shaped w/ wall]
SMALL / MEDIUM / LARGE include one table and two chairs. The [+] sign indicates the inclusion of wall space.
HOW ARE FEES DETERMINED?
All fees generated from Jersey Art Book (JAB) Fair go directly into three efforts:
JAB Fair general expenses. This event includes a host of expenses, including venue, equipment and insurance costs, marketing, operations and staffing costs, as well honoraria for invited artists, speakers, and publishers who we feature in our programming. Costs also include exhibit furniture, table signage, exhibitor badges, volunteer travel support and inclusion in printed and online materials. Fees do not include associated travel and lodging costs.
JAB Fair Awards. We strive to support emerging, new and long-distance exhibitors who have been historically excluded from art book fairs and related events in which representation of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and immigrant visual producers is lacking. To be considered for an award, make sure to select this option in the application.
Dense Fellowship. We strive to support artists, researchers, cultural practitioners and designers in collaborative public research projects that develop new place-based tools for change-making design.
KEY DATES UPDATED
2024
Aug 7: Launch Open Call
Aug 31: Close EARLY BIRD Application Pricing
Sep 30: Close Open Call
Dec 1 Extended Deadline
Dec 10: Individuals are notified of application status
Dec 17: Final Exhibitor Roster Announced on Social Media and Website
2025
Early Feb: JAB Fair Catalog released
Feb 21: JAB Fair Kickoff
Feb 22-23: JAB Fair! Fair hours are 11am–6pm each day
SELECTION PROCESS? UPDATED
We first evaluate your application for the following four criteria:
- Fulfillment of Eligibility criteria
- Submission of a complete application
- Demonstration of alignment with JAB Fair's mission to expand the field of book arts
If your application meets all the above criteria, it then advances to the next round for content review by our Advisory Jury. Advisors change each year but may include JAB Fair alums, Dense board members, multidisciplinary professionals, and local leaders in curation, community engagement, publishing and visual arts.
As part of the review process, the Advisory Jury gives special consideration to applicants who reflect our commitment to promoting diversity and equity, as well as those who present ideas or concepts that could be better represented in the mainstream, commercial, or institutional spaces. This year's Advisory Jury cohort includes:
- Kelli Anderson, graphic designer and paper engineer
- Kristin De'Angelis, artist and Director of Community Outreach, Mana Contemporary
- Chantal Fischzang, graphic designer and educator, Rutgers-Newark
- Kris Graves, photographer and publisher, KGP Projects,
- Shisi Huang, designer, publisher and co-owner, Bungee Space
- Tash Nikol, writer, media designer, curator and publisher, Grace Issues Press
- Rujuta Rao, multidisciplinary artist
- Christopher Sleboda, graphic designer, Educator (Boston U and RISD) and co-founder of Draw Down Books
- Kathleen Sleboda, art director, graphic designer, illustrator and co-founder of Draw Down Books
- Juan Villaneuva, typeface designer, letterer, and educator
TIPS FOR A GREAT APPLICATION?
When introducing us to your practice or project, 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.
When describing the materials you plan on bringing, prioritize artists' books, catalogs, monographs, periodicals, zines, or related printed material. Emphasize new work and/or inventory. You are welcome to include other related media such as limited art editions, prints, apparel, performance, original artwork, etc., but they bear less importance in our review.
When explaining your interest in participating, be generous with your responses. If you’re an exhibitor who has participated in other fairs, share why you’d like to be a part of this one.
Include images of actual books, spreads, detail shots, and photos of past art book fair presentations. Don't include images of mockups or 2D work as they don't convey actual printed matter! Include photos that give a sense of how your materials will be displayed and how you’d like to use the space.
WHAT EXHIBITOR MATERIALS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE?
This list only applies to practicing producers of art books. If you are a student, you are exempt from this list:
Single titles or single book projects, but we will accept a group/collective of works under one name.
Promotional information exhibits with no items for sale.
Materials that are blatant pornography, violent, homophobic, zionist, zenophobic or racist in nature. This includes all lives matter materials.
WHAT DO EXHIBITORS RECEIVE IF ACCEPTED?
4 complimentary 2-day tickets
"Friends and Family" tickets and merch at 50% discount
JAB Fair support during setup, fair hours and takedown
Access to JAB Fair rest area, with snacks and water
50% discount for Saturday's After-Hours party
Inclusion in the JAB Fair catalog
Social media and email promotion
AM I REQUIRED TO BE AT MY SPACE DURING OPERATING HOURS?
Yes, at least one representative is required to manage your table on your behalf. You/your representative is also responsible for setting up and de-installing your space at the start and end of the fair. Exhibitors are required to stay the entire time.
As a courtesy to our solo exhibitors, JAB Fair offers "relief time" to take brief breaks with JAB Fair staff coverage.
