March
21–23, 2024
21–23, 2024
Boston University
School of Visual Arts
School of Visual Arts
About
Multiple Formats: Contemporary Art Book Symposium and Art Book Fair
March 21–23, 2024 at Boston University, School of Visual Arts
Multiple Formats: Contemporary Art Book Symposium weaves together conversations about artist books and higher education, pedagogical practices involving artist books, artist advocacy, and artist book distribution, collection, and access. Intended to be an elastic and inclusive forum for discussions about artist book publishing, Multiple Formats pays particular attention to publishing by graphic designers, the use and creation of artist books in visual arts programs, publishing as a personal and collaborative process, and other topics of interest.
The 2024 edition of Multiple Formats kicked off with a keynote lecture by Ashley James, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art on Thursday, March 21, at 7:00 PM. Friday’s symposium on March 22 included workshops, short-form presentations, collaborative teaching and making events, and a lecture by Elliot Earls.
The 2024 art book fair, held on Saturday, March 23, offered free admission, and individuals of all ages were welcome to attend. More than 135 exhibitors presented their work and creative practices; official attendance at the event counted over 2,000 visitors.
Multiple Formats aims to build community and strengthen creative networks, create a hub for research and sharing of work, and platform substantive discussion about sustainable creative practices that include artist books.
Multiple Formats offers a mix of scholarship and reflection, coupled with the opportunity to examine artist books and support publishers and artists making books. Events are intended to benefit students, faculty, artists, librarians, collectors, and scholars in Boston and beyond.
All 2024 talks and panels were free and open to the public. For some events with limited capacity, registration was required or recommended.
Multiple Formats is sponsored by the School of Visual Arts at Boston University, and organized by Christopher Sleboda, Associate Professor of Art, Graphic Design at Boston University. The event would not be possible without the support and assistance of SVA Director Dana Clancy, the help of staff—Nerissa Cooney, Jesse Finkelstein, and Logen Zimmerman—and the participation of MFA and BFA Graphic Design students. Multiple Formats 2024 would especially like to recognize the student and alumni volunteers who helped set up tables and assist with exhibitor check-in for this year’s book fair.
Consider donating to Boston University’s Friends of the Visual Arts Fund to support Multiple Formats.
Boston University’s School of Visual Arts includes graduate and undergraduate programs, with programs of study including Graphic Design, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Art Education. Two new programs—an MFA in Visual Narrative and an MFA in Print Media & Photography—launched in Fall 2022.
The Boston University School of Visual Arts is part of the College of Fine Arts, a community of artist-scholars and scholar-artists who are passionate about the fine and performing arts, committed to diversity and inclusion, and determined to improve the lives of others through art.
Boston University strives to be accessible, inclusive, and diverse in its facilities, programming, and academic offerings. Your experience in this event is important to us. If you have a disability (including but not limited to learning or attention, mental health, concussion, vision, mobility, hearing, physical or other health-related), require communication access services for the deaf or hard of hearing, or believe that you require a reasonable accommodation for another reason, please contact multipleformatsartbook@gmail.com to discuss your needs.
March 21–23, 2024 at Boston University, School of Visual Arts
Multiple Formats: Contemporary Art Book Symposium weaves together conversations about artist books and higher education, pedagogical practices involving artist books, artist advocacy, and artist book distribution, collection, and access. Intended to be an elastic and inclusive forum for discussions about artist book publishing, Multiple Formats pays particular attention to publishing by graphic designers, the use and creation of artist books in visual arts programs, publishing as a personal and collaborative process, and other topics of interest.
The 2024 edition of Multiple Formats kicked off with a keynote lecture by Ashley James, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art on Thursday, March 21, at 7:00 PM. Friday’s symposium on March 22 included workshops, short-form presentations, collaborative teaching and making events, and a lecture by Elliot Earls.
The 2024 art book fair, held on Saturday, March 23, offered free admission, and individuals of all ages were welcome to attend. More than 135 exhibitors presented their work and creative practices; official attendance at the event counted over 2,000 visitors.
Multiple Formats aims to build community and strengthen creative networks, create a hub for research and sharing of work, and platform substantive discussion about sustainable creative practices that include artist books.
Multiple Formats offers a mix of scholarship and reflection, coupled with the opportunity to examine artist books and support publishers and artists making books. Events are intended to benefit students, faculty, artists, librarians, collectors, and scholars in Boston and beyond.
All 2024 talks and panels were free and open to the public. For some events with limited capacity, registration was required or recommended.
Multiple Formats is sponsored by the School of Visual Arts at Boston University, and organized by Christopher Sleboda, Associate Professor of Art, Graphic Design at Boston University. The event would not be possible without the support and assistance of SVA Director Dana Clancy, the help of staff—Nerissa Cooney, Jesse Finkelstein, and Logen Zimmerman—and the participation of MFA and BFA Graphic Design students. Multiple Formats 2024 would especially like to recognize the student and alumni volunteers who helped set up tables and assist with exhibitor check-in for this year’s book fair.
Consider donating to Boston University’s Friends of the Visual Arts Fund to support Multiple Formats.
Boston University’s School of Visual Arts includes graduate and undergraduate programs, with programs of study including Graphic Design, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Art Education. Two new programs—an MFA in Visual Narrative and an MFA in Print Media & Photography—launched in Fall 2022.
The Boston University School of Visual Arts is part of the College of Fine Arts, a community of artist-scholars and scholar-artists who are passionate about the fine and performing arts, committed to diversity and inclusion, and determined to improve the lives of others through art.
Boston University strives to be accessible, inclusive, and diverse in its facilities, programming, and academic offerings. Your experience in this event is important to us. If you have a disability (including but not limited to learning or attention, mental health, concussion, vision, mobility, hearing, physical or other health-related), require communication access services for the deaf or hard of hearing, or believe that you require a reasonable accommodation for another reason, please contact multipleformatsartbook@gmail.com to discuss your needs.
2024 Graphic Identity by Bella Tuo, MFA Candidate in Graphic Design at Boston University
2023 Graphic Identity by Jaylen Wang, MFA Candidate in Graphic Design at Boston University
2022 Graphic Identity by Chen Luo, 2022 MFA in Graphic Design, Boston University