Holle Award for Excellence in Book Arts

The Holle Award for Excellence in Book Arts celebrates the creative practice of book arts through the demonstration of both conceptual strength and exceptional craft skills. 

Who’s eligible?

Any student currently enrolled in a Book Arts program at a U.S. institution of higher learning, including undergraduates majoring or minoring in Book Arts, college or university certificate programs, and students working on a Book Arts MFA. Programs that are unaffiliated with a college or university degree program are ineligible. Students who are graduating during the calendar year of submission are eligible to apply, even though the award may be conferred after they have graduated. 

Submission Guidelines and Materials

• Applicants must create an account with the Submittable platform to apply for the award. Complete the online application form.
• Submissions should be anonymized. Please remove or distort any identifiable information from your entry.
• Only one book project may be submitted. The work may include hand bookbinding, letterpress printing, mixed media including digital printing and various art printing technologies, and hand papermaking.
• Upload 5-10 photographs of the book project and an image list, a description of content/full text of the book, and colophon information. All work must be completed.
• Submit a video view of the project to the awards platform. You will also be required to provide a direct web link. We recommend that you create a recording in a private YouTube or Vimeo account and share a viewer link.
• Submit an artist statement that specifically addresses the book being entered for consideration and explains how your submission aligns with the Holle Awards mission. This statement should also provide context and insight into the work and include the intentions of the project.
• Include the name and contact information of one faculty reference/sponsor at your current institution who has reviewed your work.
• Include a professional headshot and brief bio. Headshots should have a neutral background and include your head and shoulders only.

AI policy: The use of AI is not allowed for submissions to the Holle Award for Excellence in Book Arts. Applications will be disqualified if AI or plagiarism is suspected. All advanced entries will be checked with AI-Detection tools to ensure compliance. The Holle Awards are intended to reward originality, creativity, and ingenuity.

All applications should align with the mission of the award and the vision of Everett Holle.

While it is not a requirement to apply to the Holle Awards, we encourage you to register your work through the U.S. Copyright Office. 

Holle Award winners will be required to release the use of their name, image, likeness and representation of their work for promotional purposes but not commercial gain.