Open Call for Exhibitors and Programs is Closed 

Jersey Art Book Fair is accepting applications for Exhibitors and Program Hosts through October 17, 2023. 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 as an Exhibitor:

1. 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, broadsides and stickers.

2. Your materials must be available for sale.

3. 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. 

To be eligible to apply as an Program Host:

1. You must prioritize the process of making books, zines, prints, etc.

2. You must have experience developing, planning and producing an event that engages audiences in unique ways.

3. While JAB Fair is able to provide basic equipment such as a projector, screen, tables and chairs, you must come equipped with your own materials and any specialized equipment to produce your event. While JAB Fair staff are available for general attendee needs, you must bring your own assistants to help put on your event.

[Mobile users, view horizontally]

Fees are determined by 1) the size of the exhibit space that you choose, and 2) the number of days you plan to attend. Refer to this chart to compare sizes and associated fees.

Size Description 1 Day 2 Day

S 3' table - $95

M 4' table $85 $145 ($25 savings)

M+ 4' table w/wall $110 $190 ($30 savings)

L 6' table $125 $215 ($35 savings)

L+ 6' table w/wall $165 $290 ($40 savings)

XL 4'+6' L-shaped $195 $345 ($45 savings)

XL+ 4'+6' L-shaped w/wall $255 $460 ($50 savings)

Small (S) is in a pop-up store setting and ideal for those who cannot attend in person. Sales are on a 50/50 consignment basis. Exhibitor is responsible for all shipping and handling costs of materials to and from event site. Any unsold materials will be returned to Exhibitor at Exhibitors' expense.

Medium (M), Large (L) and X-Large (XL) include one table and two chairs. The [+] sign indicates the inclusion of wall space.

2023

September 7 Launch Open Call

October 22 Close Open Call

Late November Individuals are notified of application status

Mid-December Social Media assets released

2024

Mid-January JAB Fair Catalog released

February 2 Early check-in and setup for Exhibitors

February 3-4 JAB Fair!

Call for Exhibitors and Program Hosts is open through October 22 at 11:59 pm ET. 

We first evaluate your application for the following four criteria:

1. Fulfillment of Eligibility criteria

2. Submission of a complete application

3. 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, DesignShed 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. Individuals will be notified in late November of their application status.

1. 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.

2. 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. 

3. 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.

4. When including images of your work, make sure your images are strong and well done. This can include images of groupings of books, individual books, spreads, detail shots, and photos of past art book fair presentations.

5. When describing the experience you'd like attendees to have at your exhibit space, give us a sense of how your materials 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 JAB Fair.

We encourage unique programs that expand the art book fair experience, including but not limited to workshops, demonstrations, panel discussions, author readings, film showings, performances, walking tours and any other programs that are multidisciplinary in nature.

Honoraria is $125, material stipends on a per-event basis.

NOTE: Event capacities must be a minimum of 40 participants.

1. Single titles or single book projects, but we will accept a group/collective of works under one name.

2. Promotional information exhibits with no items for sale.

3. Materials that are blatant pornography, violent, homophobic or racist in nature. This includes “all lives matter” materials.

All fees generated from Jersey Art Book (JAB) Fair go directly into three efforts:

1. 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.

2. JAB Fair Grant. We strive to support emerging and new 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 apply for this grant, make sure to select this option in the application.

3. Dense Fellowship. Our first cohort of Dense fellows starts in October 2024, in which artists, researchers, cultural practitioners and designers collaborate on public research projects that develop new place-based tools for change-making design.

• Program hosts receive an honorarium of $125, and material stipends on a per-event basis.

• 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 After-Hours parties

• Inclusion in the JAB Fair catalog

• Social media and email promotion

• Invitation to opening reception of "Old School, New Worlds" Exhibition at SMUSH Gallery, January 19, 2024

1. Yes, at least one representative is required to manage your booth on your behalf. You/your representative is also responsible for setting up and deinstalling your space at the start and end of the fair. Exhibitors are required to stay the entire time.

2. As a courtesy to our solo exhibitors, JAB Fair offers "relief time" to take brief breaks with JAB Fair staff coverage.