The Morgan Library & Museum proudly presents the 2016–2017 Morgan Book Project Award Ceremony May 12, 2017.
In the News:
- The Morgan Book Project – NY1 (video)
- Teaching Children the Value of Pre-Web Pages — The New York Times
Visual Arts and ELA teachers collaborating
on the design and writing of their book.
The Morgan Book Project is a free extended learning program in which the Morgan’s education staff collaborates with New York City public school teachers to implement curriculum in their classrooms based on traditional methods of book production. During class visits, students study and take inspiration from the Morgan’s renowned collection of medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts and learn how to write, illustrate, and build their own original accordion books. The Morgan Book Project Awards Ceremony is the program's culminating event.
The program is reserved for 3rd–12th grade teachers from New York City public schools. Title 1 schools and newly participating schools are given preference for acceptance into the Project.
THE BOOKS
Student books are created with professional grade paper and binding material, which is provided by the Morgan at no cost to New York City public schools. Students make their own paint by grinding traditional pigment sources such as malachite, saffron, and insects. They also learn basic gilding techniques with 22-karat gold leaf.
The Summer Institute for Teachers
This four-day intensive workshop at the Morgan is required for new teaching pairs and other new teachers participating in the Morgan Book Project. Teaching pairs must consist of one Visual Arts teacher and one Social Studies, Language Arts, or other classroom teacher. All teachers must work with students in grades 3-12. Morgan staff lead teachers in the process of building accordion books and advise on best practices for implementing the Project into their classroom curriculum.
Participants in the Summer Institute for Teachers are eligible for CTLE credits upon request.
Teachers will:
Discover
- The Morgan as a resource and complement to the New York City Scope & Sequence in Social Studies and Visual Arts, as well as The New York City Department of Education Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts
Examine
- Exceptional primary sources, including medieval and Renaissance manuscripts from the Morgan's collection
Explore
- Collaborative planning
- Activities offering cross-disciplinary models that support the New York City Scope & Sequence in Social Studies and Visual Arts
- Strategies to teach basic book art techniques in the classroom
- Tools and resources to meet the professional criteria outlined in Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument.
Develop
- A comprehensive cross-disciplinary unit of study around an integrated art project for implementation in their classroom
- A handmade book using traditional professional grade materials
Handouts include:
- Two teacher's guides: Illumination for the Classroom and Build an Accordion Book.
- Reference material related to book arts
Materials:
- Professional grade bookbinding material, as well as traditional and unique art supplies to carry out the book project in the classroom
- Online resource guide to printed materials and step-by-step video
Students exploring medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in Mr. Morgan’s Library.
TIMELINE OVERVIEW FOR 2024–25 SCHOOL YEAR:
FALL SEMESTER
Class trips to the Morgan
Students will draw upon the Morgan's superb collection of illuminated manuscripts and relate them to world history in a way that will deepen their understanding of cultural identity and interaction among diverse peoples across time and space. They will then reflect on the books' aesthetics and make numerous sketches in preparation of their own book projects.
Dates for the class trip will be discussed with teachers during the Summer Institute.
DECEMBER 12, 2024, 4–6pm
Skills Workshop for Teachers
A virtual meeting to check in on your progress and problem solve collaboratively. At least one teacher from each school is required to attend.
OCTOBER 2024 THROUGH MARCH 2025
Classroom project
Teaching pairs will implement the cross-disciplinary unit of study developed during the Summer Institute into their classroom curriculum. They will lead their students in writing, illustrating, and binding original illuminated manuscripts. Morgan education staff are always available for support.
March 23, 2025
Deadline to Submit Student Books to Jury
Teachers submit the most outstanding examples of student book projects to the Morgan to be judged by a panel of arts professionals.
Student receiving her Award Certificate in the Gilder Lerhman Hall of the Morgan.
May 2025
The Morgan Book Project Awards
All submitted books will be featured in a one-day installation at the Morgan. All eligible student finalists participate in an awards ceremony held in the Morgan's Gilder Lehrman Hall. Teachers, principals, and families are invited to attend. To see some of the Morgan Book Project Award winners from previous years, click here.
SUMMER 2025
Exhibition: Inspiring and Illuminating the Classroom
The top award-winning student books are showcased in an installation on view to the public at the Morgan.
APPLICATION
Deadlines for Morgan Book Project 2024–2025
General Application Deadline: July 5, 2024
Students preparing pigments to make paint.
Who may apply?
This program is reserved for 3rd-12th grade teachers from New York City public schools. Title 1 schools are especially encouraged to apply.
Teachers must apply as a teaching pair.
Teaching artists
The Morgan will provide a limited number of certified teaching artists at no charge to participating schools that do not have a visual arts teacher. For more information please visit this page.
Application Process
To apply, please follow these directions carefully.
- Fill out the online general application form.
- Select three samples of artwork made by your students within the past three years.
- Select three writing samples by your students on any topic from the past three years.
- Upload your art and writing samples where indicated in the general application form.
- Submit your completed online application.
Please Note
- Due to the volume of submissions, only applicants who are accepted into the program will be contacted.
- Any applications that do not adhere to the submission guidelines may not be considered.
- Even if you have participated in the program previously, you must submit an application to be considered for the next school year.
Previous participation does not guarantee future acceptance.
If you have questions, please contact us at schools@themorgan.org.
The Morgan Book Project is made possible by a generous grant from Marina Kellen French and the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation.