Artists’ BookMarket is Edinburgh's annual celebration of artists’ book culture, with a Friday night lecture and a fair running over two busy weekend days. Stalls are laid out across three floors of gallery, and two venues, and are complemented by a busy events and workshops programme. Our more than two thousand visitors come from across Scotland, the north of England and beyond to make this date with artists' books and artist-led publishing.
The Fruitmarket Gallery and Stills Gallery, Scotland's Centre for Photography partner to deliver this event.
Participants range from long-term experimental publishers to some of the most interesting new talent from university and college courses. There’s local talent on show alongside representation of those who each year travel to take part in this increasingly prominent fair in the UK’s artists book calendar.
We invite publishers, book makers and artists’ books organisations to apply for a stall. Stalls at The Fruitmarket Gallery cost £85+VAT and those at Stills cost £60+VAT. To enquire about running an event or workshop, feel free to pitch using this form, or to get in touch via the contact curator option.
Previous events within the Artists’ BookMarket weekend have included book launches, experimental sound workshops, multi-media poetry readings and a flash fashion show. Many things are possible, and we look forward to hearing the ideas that are going to make this year's programme as much of a surprise to us as to our audience.
Stills are hosting a talk on Friday evening, which exhibitors in town that evening are given complimentary tickets to attend. The Artists’ BookMarket fair is open 11am–6pm on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th February. Expect an excellent weekend of book sales and discoveries. Be part of our strong selection of book makers, art publishers, illustators and designers, and artists working with book forms. We're proud of the engaged community who attend and we can promise that you will leave stimulated!
Contact the curator
What's provided as a stall?
Each stall is provided with a white linen covered trestle table (approx. 6’x2’) Freestanding displays are welcome, but please make a note on the form if you propose to bring anything which requires more than table space.
How do I get into the events and workshops programme?
Please either fill in this form, or use the contact curator function to ask for feedback on your idea before submission.
Where do talks and workshops happen?
These happen in various spaces in The Fruitmarket Gallery and Stills Gallery. Workshops tend to be capped at 12 people, and talks can accommodate up to about 30 people in the audience.
Can I attend for one day only?
Participants are present for both days, so that visitors know what they’re going to be able to see and buy. If you have a particular problem with either of the days but are keen to be involved, please contact us through the contact curator option to see if an arrangement is possible.
How do I pay for my stall?
Successful applicants will be invoiced after confirmation of attendance, and payment is required by bank transfer prior to Artists' BookMarket.
Is wall space provided?
No, but freestanding displays, including print browsers are welcome.
Do I have to attend in person?
Either you, or someone you have arranged, is required to be at your stall throughout the opening hours of the fair.
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
Any book artists, artist publishers or organised groups representing these areas of practice are welcome to apply. If in doubt whether you qualify, please apply – you’re probably doing something interesting!
How much does it cost?
Stalls at The Fruitmarket Gallery cost £85+VAT. Stalls at Stills Gallery cost £60+VAT.
What are the financial prospects for participants?
Artists’ usually aim to comfortably clear their costs on the money they make from their stalls, and we work hard to drive in good visitor numbers to make this possible. The cheaper stall price for Stills reflects the fact that they are a newer venue within Artists' BookMarket and the audience is growing.
What are the opening hours of Artists' BookMarket 2018?
Stills Gallery programme a talk on the Friday 8th February in the evening. The fair, Artists’ BookMarket is open from 11am–6pm on both Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th February.
What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?
Participants will be listed on the printed poster and leaflet for the event. Artists’ BookMarket and its participants will also be promoted though The Fruitmarket Gallery’s website and well-followed social media. A press release will be sent to relevant publications. An e-Flyer will be sent to the Galleries' combined mailing lists and shared with participants to circulate through their personal networks.
Does the venues have disabled access?
Yes, with flat entrances and lift access between floors.
What are the selection criteria?
We are looking for interesting work made using book forms in some way. We market the event as an opportunity to buy work, so usually people come expecting that, including librarians buying for collections. We have also hosted stalls of either free giveaways or work exhibited but not available for sale. We are keen to represent the range of engagement with book forms and artists publishing and welcome applications from art projects with publishing outcomes - they don't necessarily need to be craft-based. Stills has a particular interest in showing book work which is rooted in photographic practice.
How does Artists’ BookMarket fit in with The Fruitmarket Gallery’s and Still's Gallery's programmes?
Artists’ BookMarket is the first of three annual fairs established by The Fruitmarket Gallery which focus respectively on: artists’ books and publishing, design, and children’s books and design. Stills Gallery entered into partnership with Fruitmarket to deliver a joint Artists' BookMarket for the first time in 2018, offering a valuable opportunity to expand the event after it had reached capacity for one venue alone. Both galleries use our expertise in putting on exhibitions to provide supported ways into this substantial area of artists’ practice that we are excited about, and where possible we make connection points with other artists in our programmes. This year, the market at Stills will be held within an exhibition of work by Andres Serrano.
