Since its inception, BIMA has been an advocate for artists’ books, dedicating an entire space, the Sherry Grover Gallery, and three annual exhibitions to them. The museum also houses the Cynthia Sears Artists’ Books Collection. With over 4,000 one-of-a-kind works and limited editions from across the globe, it is one of the most significant collections of its kind–and continues to grow.

The Cynthia Sears Artists’ Book Collection honors contemporary artists who use the book as a powerful creative form. It embraces creative practices that are experimental, diverse, and deeply personal. A wide range of approaches–from narrative and poetic explorations to sculptural, conceptual, and participatory works–are represented in the growing Collection.

BIMA is dedicated to sharing the Collection and artists’ books with as many people as possible as a cultural resource and catalyst for engagement. By preserving and presenting these works, putting them on display in the Sherry Grover Gallery, hosting Open Book Tours where guests can interact with books, creating deep-dive episodes of Artists’ Books Unshelved, or loaning works to other institutions, the Collection amplifies voices, expands the possibilities of books as an art object, and uplifts this distinct art form.

Artists’ books are, generally, three-dimensional objects that exist at the intersection of art, craft, and storytelling. However, the actual definition of artists’ books is purposefully fluid. They can be made of anything and may combine multiple techniques, such as printmaking, photography, fiber, ceramics, drawing, mixed media, and collaborative practices. It’s this flexibility that makes artists’ books so critical. With room for interpretation, this accessible art form allows the audience to bring their own definition and perspective to what an artist’s book is.

Artists’ books challenge traditional definitions of reading and engaging with art, inviting viewers to interact through touch, time, and interpretation. Sometimes viewers will have to flip pages or open panels to discover an artist’s book, while others may involve writing in them or even tasting them! This makes artists’ books a participatory art form where viewers are invited to experience the work personally and intimately. It is a medium that spurs conversations based on direct experiences with a book.