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In 2007, the Board of Directors of the Center for Book Arts began the process of creating a Strategic Plan that would guide the organization’s development throughout the next several years. The Center’s Board, staff, and stakeholders were in unanimous agreement that drastic renovations to the Center’s current facility would be necessary to ensure that the organization continues to serve New York as the preeminent institution devoted to the history, future and advancement of the art of the book. The existing space, which suffers from problems such as poor ventilation, inadequate storage, and insufficient separation between the gallery and studios, is simply unable to meet the needs of an active and growing institution. The capital project will address long-standing problems with the Center’s climate control, noise levels, and air quality and create a safer, more comfortable environment in which to view, create, and store works of art, while maintaining the flexibility and openness of the existing space.

 
Renderings of renovated gallery with permanent walls and secure glass doors

Over four years (2011-2014), the following renovations will be made to the Center’s facilities:
• The purchase and installation of a new HVAC system (completed in 2011)
• The renovation of the bathrooms, in compliance with ADA regulations
• The construction of permanent walls and security doors for the gallery
• The construction of a separate collections storage/reading room, which will allow the Center to make its historic collection and reference library accessible to the public
• The renovation of the foyer and construction of a wall between the foyer and printshop
• The installation of new lighting throughout the facility
• The construction of new, movable storage units, customdesigned to house the Center’s unique equipment
• The maintenance and repair of studio equipment
• The purchase of new studio furniture

(Click the image to see the floorplans before & after renovations)

Initial Success

We are pleased to report that the Center for Book Arts’ new HVAC system was installed in the summer of 2011. This update, made possible in part by the generosity of the individuals who donated to our 2009 fundraising campaign, is an important first step toward the complete renovation of the facility. The next phase of the renovation, which involves the construction of permanent gallery walls and renovation of the bathrooms, will help us to maximize the efficiency of the new HVAC system and contribute to an improved gallery and a more productive studio and classroom environment.

How To Help

Now, the Center for Book Arts has launched a new campaign to raise the remaining $1,000,000 necessary to complete the renovation of the space. Your help is needed! With your support, we can turn the Center for Book Arts’ loft into a state-of- the-art exhibition, studio, and event space. Please see below for instruction on how to make a contribution online, by phone, or by mail.

All donors will be acknowledged with a letter and on our website. Donors of $1000 or more will be acknowledged on our new Donor Wall. Limited naming opportunities are also available. If you are interested in making an investment in the future of the art of the book with a studio, gallery or collections study room named in your honor, please contact Alexander Campos, Executive Director, at acampos@centerforbookarts. org or 212-481-0295.