CBAA is now accepting proposals for the 2027 CBAA National Conference
BOOK AS CATALYST: From Object to Impact, taking place June 10-12, 2027 at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
This year’s conference asks us to think beyond what a book is and consider what a book does. How can book art open conversations, activate spaces, build communities, expand research, or create impact beyond the object itself?
We are currently accepting proposals in two categories:
Call for Presentations
We welcome proposals from artists, educators, students, librarians, conservators, historians, writers, studio managers, researchers, and others working within and around the field of book art.
Presentation formats include:
- Individual Presentations: 10-minute talks or artist presentations
- Pre-formed Panels: groups of presenters exploring a related theme or approach
- Roundtable Discussions: facilitated conversations around a shared topic or question
Topics might include community engagement and collective making, research as material practice, teaching and learning, archives and memory, expanded and interdisciplinary forms, studio and lab practices, and other approaches connected to the conference theme.
Call for Demonstrations
We are also seeking proposals for practical demonstrations in book art, letterpress, digital fabrication, and related practices.
Demonstration sessions are 1.5 hours. Presenters may propose either:
- One extended demonstration of 1 hour or longer, or
- A 35-45 minute demonstration presented twice during the session
These sessions are demonstrations rather than participatory workshops. A full list of available presses, bookbinding equipment, Riso, laser cutters, 3D printers, textile tools, and other studio resources is included in the full call.
[View the full Call for Demonstrations + Submit a Proposal]
Important Dates
November 30, 2026 Proposal deadline
January 15, 2027 Notification of acceptance
February 1, 2027 Presenter confirmation deadline
CBAA membership is not required to submit a proposal. Accepted presenters will be required to become current CBAA members by February 1, 2027.
We hope you’ll join us in Waco and share the work, ideas, processes, and conversations shaping contemporary book arts.
Questions about the submission process may be directed to:
Erin McAdams
CBAA Vice President for Programming
emcadams@collegebookart.org
CBAA National Conference
BOOK AS CATALYST: From Object to Impact
June 10–12, 2027
Baylor University | Waco, Texas
https://cbaa.submittable.com/submit
