The Morgan Book Project is a free, yearlong partnership program for 3rd–12th grade classes from New York City public schools. Through this multi-session program, students explore medieval and Renaissance manuscripts and traditional methods of bookmaking. Classes visit the Morgan twice and then write and illustrate their own books inspired by their experiences. Students make their own paint by grinding materials such as malachite, saffron, and cochineal, and learn to apply gold leaf to their finished books.
The Morgan Book Project includes all art supplies, museum visits, and professional development sessions for teachers. The year culminates in an awards ceremony and an exhibition of select books chosen by an external panel of arts and education professionals.
Sample academic year:
| September | Professional Development sessions for all participating teachers |
| September–December | Teachers schedule two class trips to the Morgan throughout the fall semester |
| January | Teachers receive supplies |
| January–March | Teachers work with students in the classroom to write and illustrate their stories |
| April | Teachers send completed books to the Morgan |
| May | Students whose books were selected by their teachers for panel review are honored during a ceremony held in the Morgan’s Gilder Lehrman Hall |
| June–August | Morgan Book Project exhibition on view at the Morgan, featuring select books chosen by an external panel of judges |
Who can apply?
Classes in grades 3–12 from New York City public schools are eligible to participate, with priority given to Title 1 and District 75 schools. Teachers must apply with a co-teacher—preferably a visual arts teacher—as a teaching pair. Please note that participation is limited to three classes, or 100 students, per school.
Applications are submitted in the spring for the following school year, and the program begins in the fall. All interested teachers must apply each year. Teachers who have participated in previous years must submit an application to be considered for the next school year and participation in previous years does not guarantee acceptance.
Please send questions to schools@themorgan.org.
The Morgan Book Project is made possible by a generous gift from Marina Kellen French.
