Applications are now open for the Printed Matter Publisher Work Grant, a new program of unrestricted grants available to artists’ book publishers, made possible with the generous support of Wagner Foundation.
Now in its second year, the Publisher Work Grant program offers funding to independent presses with a history of artists’ book publishing, acknowledging awardees’ accomplishments in past work and providing the capacity-building funds to enable future book projects and publisher sustainability. In 2025, three unrestricted grants of $10,000 USD will be awarded to three independent artists’ book publishers. Printed Matter will also extend a featured exhibitor presence at a forthcoming Printed Matter NY or LA Art Book Fair to selected presses.
Applications will be reviewed by Printed Matter and a guest jury, taking into account past work and contributions of the imprint, the strength of upcoming projects outlined, and the potential impact of the award.
Applications open late June, 2025, and will run through September 21, 11:59pm EST.
Read more about eligibility and see the FAQ below
FAQ
What do you mean by “artists’ book”?
Printed Matter’s mission focuses on publication projects that serve as a site for an artists’ practice, where the book has been in some way conceived as an artwork in its own right. We encourage you to explore the Printed Matter website and our catalog to learn more about artists’ books and the work of the organization.
What type of press is eligible?
Eligible imprints should be published with an “independent spirit,” and will generally be small in scale without major, ongoing, distribution support. More established publishers that field full-time staff, readily have access to funding opportunities, or already have a high visibility within the publishing landscape may be deprioritized.
Entities that are commercially run and exclusively publish client work are not eligible, though studios that additionally publish the work of artists under their own imprint are welcome to apply. Imprints that are connected to established institutions with other significant means of support are generally not eligible. If you are unsure of the eligibility of your project, please write to workgrant@printedmatter.org.
What will the Jury consider when evaluating applications?
Applications will be evaluated in part based on the strength of individual projects, by the output of the press on the whole, and by the press’ future ambitions. The Jury is broadly interested in identifying presses that best explore the possibilities of the book as a site for experimental artwork, think holistically about how the publication format can serve the themes and interests of the project and its content, including through decisions around design, printing and production and that are driven by an ethos committed to enlivening an artist’s work on the printed page.
Among other considerations, we are interested in presses that engage with social and political themes in thoughtful and nuanced ways, give voice to marginalized identities and perspectives, and have a record of investing in community, collaboration and equity in their focus and methodology. Likewise, we are interested in publishers that are committed to the work of emerging and underrepresented artists, developing projects that have a singular, compelling vision, regardless of their sales or distribution prospects.
A successful application will demonstrate how the award would have a meaningful impact for the press, and may ease their overall operating costs and address an urgent need.
This Grant is not generally suited for imprints who predominantly work with fiction, non-fiction, poetry, catalogs of artwork, monographs, limited edition, deluxe, or hand-crafted book objects, as these are outside the program’s scope. That said we also recognize these categories are often fluid, and we are interested in innovative and hybrid approaches to working across genres.
I am based outside of the United States, am I eligible?
The Grant is open to publishers based anywhere. International publishers are encouraged to apply.
I am an artist looking to publish a book of my work, can I apply?
This grant is intended to support small independent publishers, and is not suitable for artist applicants who are looking to fund a project of their own work. Artists who have an active publishing practice which includes releasing the work of others are welcome to apply.
I am just starting out, or my imprint is no longer active, am I eligible?
We ask that imprints have a publishing history of one or more years, and a history of releasing approximately 2 or more titles a year. Publishers must currently be active with future titles in the works.
I have previously been granted an award by Printed Matter, am I still eligible?
Past winners of Printed Matter-administered awards through its Art Book Fairs (Volume Grant, the Shannon Michael Cane Award, the Jason Polan Award) are eligible to apply. Past winners of the Publisher Work Grant are not eligible a second time.
I am a past collaborator, intern or staff member of Printed Matter, am I eligible?
Note that current employees and interns (as well as former employees/interns within a year of departure) are not eligible for consideration. Past collaborators of the organization are welcome to submit.
How can the funds be used?
The grant is an unrestricted award, and there is no obligation to realize a particular project as a result. The funds are generally intended to serve the imprint’s capacity-building, and awardees are free to determine how the funds may best support their practice — including towards project production and development expenses, artists’ fees, facility and equipment upgrades, studio costs, hired assistance, rent, etc.
What is the selection and notification process?
After applications have closed, Printed Matter will review the applicant pool according to the outlined criteria. A guest jury of artists, publishers, or educators, in consultation with a Printed Matter representative, will convene to assess applications and find consensus on three projects. Note that we anticipate receiving a significant number of submissions, and will not be able to provide individual feedback.
How will selected presses be presented at the LA or NY Art Book Fair?
In addition to the awarded funds, selected publishers will be offered a highlighted presence at a forthcoming Printed Matter Art Book Fair scheduled for 2026 (dates are to be confirmed). While the publisher’s table will be provided free of charge, please note that costs connected to participation, including flights and accommodation, will be the responsibility of the grantee. Depending on the publisher’s availability to travel and be on-site during the event, PM will find a suitable way to highlight the work through a complimentary exhibitor booth or other means.
If selected, what are the crediting and reporting requirements?
Awardees will be asked to sign an agreement acknowledging the terms of the Grant and receipt of funds. At the one year mark, Printed Matter will request a simple update on the use of funds. Note that US-based winners will receive a w9 for tax purposes.
We ask that future projects which have been concretely served by these Work Grant funds include a credit line and logo acknowledging the support on the publisher’s website or the project itself, with specifics of the credit line to be provided at a later date.
Printed Matter also requests three copies of the book bearing a support credit, for Printed Matter and Wagner Foundation archives.
How can I learn about past winners?
Read about publishers selected for the 2024 Publisher Work Grant on the Printed Matter website here.
Where do these supporting funds come from? This project is realized with the generous support of Wagner Foundation. Learn more about their work here.