Opportunity details | LIVERPOOL ARTISTS BOOK FAIR

LIVERPOOL ARTISTS BOOK FAIR

Deadline: 03/08/2025

City: Liverpool | Region: Merseyside | Country: United Kingdom | Liverpool Book Art

Call for Participants: Liverpool Book Art is excited to announce that the next Liverpool Artists' Book Fair will be held at the Bluecoat (Arts Centre) on Saturday 4th October and Sunday 5th October 2025. There will be 25-30 tables of artists' work for sale. Entry to the public will be free. Applications are invited from individual book artists; artist collectives & groups; small press publishers; colleges/universities; and specialist trade suppliers.

Liverpool Book Art (LBA) is inviting submissions for tables at the next Liverpool Artists Book Fair.

We are excited that the Fair will again be held at the Bluecoat (Arts Centre), Liverpool's city centre contemporary arts hub (& the oldest arts centre in the UK).

Not only is this a perfect fit in terms of contemporary art, including the interests of visitors to the Bluecoat, it also means that the Fair will be supported and promoted by the venue (unlike many non-arts venues).

The Blucoat building is over 300 years old, and attracts a wide range of visitors for its architecture, garden and cafe, in addition to its arts programme.

For the Fair, we'll be using the first floor perfornmance space. Address: The Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpol L1 3BX.

With around 25-30 tables available, we are looking to showcase a diversity of approaches and artistic practices, for sale at a range of prices.

We embrace the whole diverse range of book art: unique hand-made books, limited editions, stories & illustrations, distinctive notebooks, altered books, book sculptures, bindings and more!

Applications are invited from individual book artists, artist collectives and groups; small press publishers; colleges & universities; and specialist trade suppliers.

We are also interested in offering complementary activites: workshops and talks. Please let us know if you want to offer any of these.

Fees:

The price of a table for the 2 days of the Fair is: £80 for artists; £140 for colleges/universities; £160 trade/suppliers.

Entry to the Fair will be free to the public.

Please read the FAQs for further information.

Make a submission Contact the curator

Who is eligible for this opportunity?

Individual book artists; artist collectives & groups; small press publishers; colleges/universities; and specialist trade suppliers.

When is the deadline?

3rd August 2025.

In your description please include:

• a brief description of yourself and your artistic practice - maximum 250 words
• media used
• an idea of the cost of your items

• a maximum of 5 images
• By uploading these images you give your permission for Liverpool Book Art to use them on our website, social media pages and in publicity for the fair.

How many works can I submit?

Please submit up to 5 images of your work (maximum 2 images per work).
By uploading these images you give your permission for Liverpool Book Art to use them on our website, social media pages and in publicity for the fair and exhibition.

How much does it cost?

The price of a table for the 2 days of the Fair is: £80 for artists; £140 for colleges/universities; £160 trade/suppliers.

Entry to the Fair will be free to the public

What happens if my proposal is chosen?

We will contact you around a week after the deadline to let you know if you have successfully secured a table and to request payment.

What are the Fair opening hours?

The Bluecoat is open Saturday 10.00-17.00; Sunday 11.00-17.00. The Liverpool Artists’ Book Fair will be open to the public from 11.00 on both days.

Wall Display and Other Facilities

If you wish to bring anything else with you, such as free-standing displays boards, please let us know as part of your application. There is no scope for displaying items on the walls. Please also let us know if you have any other requirements e.g. access to electrical sockets, and we will try to accommodate them.

The Bluecoat has a café which is open throughout the day. There is also free wi-fi.

Workshops and Talks

Please let us know if you are interested in offering a talk or a workshop. We are in discussion with the Bluecoat about charging the public to participate in workshops, to generate fees for the artists offering the workshops. . There are no fees available for providing talks. We should be able to provide staffing cover for your table if required.

Set-Up Details

Tables will be set up during the day on the Friday.
You will be able to drop-off between 16.00 and 18.00 on the Friday (& set-up then if you wish); the building closes to the public at 17.00. Alternatively set-up from 09.00 on the Saturday.

Do I need to be present?

Yes. We do not have people available to staff a table on your behalf.

Staffing and Sharing Tables

Participants are welcome to apply for shared tables if they organise the sharing themselves. Booking of tables is for the two days. However, if you can only attend for one day, and can arrange for someone else to have the table for the other day, please apply on that basis (but we would want submission details from both participants). If you can only do one day, and don’t have someone to take the table for the other day, let us know, and we will see if we can find a solution.

Does the location have disabled access?

The Bluecoat has excellent disabled access, with ramp access on the ground floor and lifts to the first floor.

What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?

The Fair will be publicised via B.A.N.; our own website and Facebook page; printed flyers distributed locally and at other artist book fairs; a press campaign; and the Bluecoat, Visit Liverpool, Liverpool City Council and Central Library websites.

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