20TH ANNUAL STUDENT BOOK ARTS COMPETITION
Sponsored by Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Central Florida Libraries
ABOUT THE COMPETITION:
The University of Central Florida (UCF) Libraries Special Collections & University Archives department invites UCF and Rollins College undergraduate and graduate students to submit their artist books for the 20th Annual Book Arts Competition. This is a juried competition, with the winner announced at the end of May 2026. The winning artist receives a monetary purchase prize, and Special Collections & University Archives adds the winning entry to the department’s Book Arts & Typography collection. An exhibit featuring all competition entries runs from June 2026 through the end of the summer at Special Collections & University Archives Gallery, located on the 4th Floor of John C. Hitt Library.
ELIGIBILITY:
Submissions must meet the following criteria:
- Be an original work created by an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at UCF or Rollins College during the Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 semesters
- Made in edition or be one-of-a-kind
- Drawing, painting, letterpress, printmaking, screenprint, and/or created using digital techniques
- Handmade binding
- Must remain in the exhibit for its duration
Students may submit more than one entry. All entries must remain in the exhibit for its duration. Entrants cannot pick their work before the end of the exhibition.
ENTRY FEE:
There is no entry fee for this competition.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURES:
Each submission must include a completed and signed entry form. Students must personally submit their entries and completed entry forms to Special Collections & University Archives staff. The department, located in room 501 on the 5th floor of the John C. Hitt Library on the University of Central Florida campus, is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTATION:
Each submission must include the following information:
- Completed Entry Form
- Full name of the applicant
- A contact phone number and the mailing address of the applicant
- Title of the book
- One paragraph artist’s statement about each work
BOOK RETURN:
After the exhibit, all books must be picked up from the Special Collections & University Archives Department by the end of August 2026. Special Collections & University Archives staff will not mail submissions back to the artist.
DEADLINE:
The deadline for all submissions is Monday May 11, 2026.
COPYRIGHT POLICY:
Copyright to all winning entries remains with the artist.
For more information, contact Special Collections at: speccoll@ucf.edu
To view past winners and entries, go to: http://stars.library.ucf.edu/bookartscompetition/