Call for Bodleian Libraries Printer-in-Residence

Background

In its seventeenth-century Old Library, the Bodleian hosts a working letterpress studio for researchers and the public to engage in practical printing, to better understand the practical methods behind items in the Library’s special collections. These collections are rich in examples of historical and contemporary book arts from around the world. The Bodleian is fortunate to hold a unique collection of printed ephemera, the John Johnson Collection. Artists’ books are a growing part of the Bodleian’s collections and are often used for teaching and research.

Find out more about the Bodleian Libraries' special collections, and artists' books in the special collections.

Find out more about the teaching and public-facing activities of the Bibliographical Press at the Bodleian Library.

Past Printers-in-Residence at the Bodleian have included Russell Maret, Emily Martin, David Armes, Thomas Gravemaker, and Tia Blassingame.

The call

The intention of this residency is to enliven the Bodleian’s special collections with new work which responds to and interrogates them. The residency is intended to contribute to the academic and public-facing programmes which use the Library’s workshop, and to encourage creative and practical understanding of books arts within Oxford through engagement with academic researchers, students, and the public. Programming of the residency will focus on the connections between contemporary printing and the Bodleian's special collections.

Applications are invited from book artists and printers to draw from the themes of upcoming exhibitions on topics of natural history and the observation of natural phenomena. Two exhibitions on the themes of nature and natural history are planned to open at the Weston Library in 2026:

  • An exhibition highlighting the significance of local observation, and what is now called ‘citizen science’, in natural history and nature writing. The exhibition will also pay attention to contemporary concerns about ecology, sustainability, and human flourishing and wellbeing.
  • An exhibition on birds in collaboration with nature writer Robert MacFarlane and illustrator Jackie Morris, authors of The Lost Words.

Format of the residency project

Timing is flexible within the nine months from 13 October 2025, but the project commits the resident to being on-site at the Bodleian Libraries for 10 days. These will incorporate getting to know the collections, preparing and creating work, and delivering the activities in the programme as specified below. The dates can be scheduled either as a concentrated stay or as a series of visits within the period. Dates of residency will be by agreement with the Bodleian.

The resident will be paid a fee of £250 for each of the 10 scheduled days of the programme.

Up to 8 nights of single accommodation in Oxford will be provided at dates to be agreed.

Subject to agreement, the resident will be invited to use the Bodleian workshop at other times throughout the year.

Applicants should propose a programme taking inspiration from Bodleian collections and the programming priorities outlined above, which includes:

  • a publication created at the Bodleian Bibliographical Press (multiple copies)
  • a participatory workshop drawing inspiration from Bodleian collections

The Printer-in-Residence will also be scheduled to deliver a talk about their practice, as a conversation or panel discussion.

Printing projects will receive operational and logistical support from the Centre for the Study of the Book for the discovery of library material in the special collections and the realisation of the project in the printing workshop.

Publication

A copy of the publication produced should be donated to the Bodleian's special collections.

How to apply

For an informal discussion of the aims of the residency, please contact Alexandra Franklin, Co-ordinator of the Centre for the Study of the Book (alexandra.franklin@bodleian.ox.ac.uk), or Chris Fletcher, Keeper of Special Collections (chris.fletcher@bodleian.ox.ac.uk).

The complete application will include:

  • The application form, to be completed online. If you are unable to complete this online, please request an application form by email to csb@bodleian.ox.ac.uk, with subject line: Printer-in-Residence Application Form
  • The proposed programme, in a document of up to 1,200 words.
  • A curriculum vitae indicating work completed and displayed, other residencies and projects, teaching or lecturing experience, and expertise in the use of printing equipment relevant to the Bodleian Bibliographical Press workshop contents.
  • A digital portfolio of at least 5 works, in the form of digital images sent by email or file transfer, or reference to a website. Original work received will not be returned.

Deadline

Application forms should be completed online and other documents sent by email or file transfer to csb@bodleian.ox.ac.uk by Friday 11 July 2025.