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 multi-session, yearlong partnership program for 3rd–12th grade classes from New York City public schools. Students explore medieval and Renaissance manuscripts and traditional bookmaking methods.
Classes visit the Morgan twice in the fall and then in the spring students write, illustrate, and create their own books inspired by their visits.
The year culminates in an awards ceremony and an exhibition of select books.
The program is intended for 3rd–12th grade teachers from New York City public schools. Title 1 and District 75 schools are especially encouraged to apply. Please note that there is a limit of three classes, or 100 students, per school.
THE BOOKS
Students' books are made with professional grade paper and binding material, which is provided by the Morgan at no cost to participating 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.
EXHIBITION HONORS
To exemplify The Morgan Book Project for our visiting public, twelve books chosen among the award winning entries and the Director's Choice are featured in the exhibition Inspiring and Illuminating the Classroom.
Teachers will:
Create
- An original story illustrated using traditional professional grade materials
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, and the model for Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education (CRSE)
Explore
- Collaborative planning with a partner teacher
- 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
Students exploring medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in Mr. Morgan’s Library.
TIMELINE OVERVIEW FOR 2025–26 SCHOOL YEAR:
Fall Semester
October 16 (evening): Virtual orientation for teachers
Participating teachers attend a live orientation session on Zoom.
November 18 (evening) Paint-making workshop
Teachers join Morgan educators at the museum to practice paint making and illustrating techniques.
Class trips to the Morgan
Explore some of the finest examples of medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in the Morgan’s collection, identify the different parts of a manuscript, and consider how books were made before the printing press. Through primary sources, maps, and touch objects, students discuss the Silk Road and other trade routes, and trace the origins of natural resources, such as saffron, malachite, and lapis lazuli, that were used to make pigments and paints for illuminated manuscripts.
OCTOBER 2025 THROUGH MARCH 2026
Classroom project
Teaching pairs will implement their unique cross-disciplinary unit of study in their classrooms. They will guide their students in writing, illustrating, and binding their own original illuminated manuscripts. Morgan education staff are always available for support.
March 29, 2026
Deadline to submit student books to jury
Teachers submit up to three student books to the Morgan to be judged by an independent panel of educators and arts professionals. Twelve books, plus a Director’s Choice, will be selected for exhibition.
Student receiving her Award Certificate in the Gilder Lerhman Hall of the Morgan.
May 2026
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.
Summer 2026
The thirteen selected books are showcased in an installation on view to the public at the Morgan.
APPLICATION
Deadlines for Morgan Book Project 2025–2026
General Application Deadline: May 30, 2025
Students preparing pigments to make paint.
Who can apply?
This program is intended for 3rd–12th grade teachers from New York City public schools. Title 1 and District 75 schools are especially encouraged to apply.
Teachers must apply as a teaching pair.
Application Process
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 application form.
- Submit your completed online application.
Please Note
- 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.
- Participation in previous years does not guarantee acceptance.
For any 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.