Each year, the artist book section at Dublin Art Book Fair (DABF) features books made by contemporary artists, designers, art writers, and others, who experiment with the medium of the book and its potential for artistic expression.
Through the open call, DABF hosts an impressive selection of exceptional artist books, both printed and hand-made. The artist books received through the open call display a versatility in which the book form is celebrated, transforming the Fair into a space for creativity.
DABF takes place 03–13 December 2026. The guest curator is writer, curator, and editor Nathan O’Donnell. He is co-editor of PVA (Journal + Books) and his work has been published widely in literary and contemporary art contexts. He has received artist’s commissions for performances, publications, and public art projects, by Dublin City Arts Office, the Arts Council, IMMA, Ormston House, and South Dublin County Council. He has an ongoing collaborative practice with Clare Bell, making use of participatory and collective processes to produce publications and projects; recent collaborative publications include State, in Relation, coedited with Sonya Gildea (2025) and Book of Invasions (Ormston House, 2021). He was writer-in-residence, Maynooth University 2021– 22; and Samuel Beckett Creative Fellow, Trinity College Dublin, 2023.
Deadline for applications: Monday 5 October, 12pm
Dublin Art Book Fair is proudly sponsored by Henry J Lyons, and supported by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.
Eligibility
- Applications for the Open Call For Artist Book Submissions are open to residents of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland only. Submissions to Irish artists living abroad will be accepted on the grounds that they can arrange the collection of their books after the Fair.
- All Artist Books submitted must be fit criteria and be available for sale. There is a limited capacity for free publications, please contact [email protected] in advance of submission.
- The open call for artist book submissions is open to individual artists. If you are an organisation, collective or small press/ publisher please contact orla@templebargallery for submission details.
Application Requirements
- Applications are to be made by individual artists through the online form on our website only, with the exception of artists applying with accessibility needs. If the Artist Book you are submitting is a partnership or collaboration, one person must be the named applicant and point of contact. All correspondence and financial transactions relating to DABF will be through the named applicant through the corresponding email provided on the form. DABF will not communicate with third parties.
- For those who wish to complete their form at separate intervals, a version of your form will be stored for up to 30 days. Data lost after the 30 day window cannot be restored.
- The maximum retail price per a title is €40. This must include Dublin Art Book Fair Commission.
- Please list your retail prices in euros only. The selling price must be rounded off to the nearest euro or 50 cent on the application form. Artist Books of which the pricing falls outside the nearest euro or 50 cent will be rounded up on processing.
- Dublin Art Book Fair deduct a 10% commission on all sales from the retail price you submit under each title on the application form.
- Images must showcase a clear and accurate representation of the overall physicality of your book. You may submit a maximum of three images. Images must be submitted as JPEGS, each with a size limit of 3MB. Please see the FAQ document for further information.
- All Artist Books submitted, including display copies, must be available for sale.
- You can submit a maximum of three different Artist Book titles, with a maximum of six copies of each title. We can only accept one application per an individual.
- Applicants are requested on submitting the online form that they have read, understand and agree to the terms outlined in this document, (the Dublin Art Book Fair 2026 Open Call for Artist Book Submissions Application Overview). We strongly advise applicants read the FAQ document assocatiated with the application.
DABF Artist Book Requirements
- All Artist Books submitted must have the artist’s name printed or labelled clearly on the book’s cover or inside cover. If the name is not clearly visible, the book must come clearly labelled with the name and title.
- For requirements regarding price labelling, packaging and display copies please refer to FAQ Document.
- All Artist Books submitted must be able to withstand unsupervised public display and handling. DABF is a retail environment, not an exhibition, so Artist Books that require special handling, or specific display cannot be accepted.
- For Artist Books that are enclosed in protective sleeve or shrink wrapped, applicants may submit a display copy (for the purpose of viewing the interior contents). The display copy must be clearly labelled and available for sale. Display copies are included in the maximum 6 copies. For more details on this refer to the FAQ document.
- DABF is not responsible for Artist Books lost or damaged during the Fair.
- If your artist book is purchased for a public collection, your submitted application form will be shared with the purchasing organisation for their records. The form will not be shared by us for any other reasons.
- For marketing purposes, images of submitted Artist Books, alongside the name of the artist, and details around the book are shared through Temple Bar Gallery + Studios and Dublin Art Book Fair’s digital platforms, including the website and social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, BlueSky). Occasionally this information is also shared with media outlets on request. No personal data will ever be shared publicly or with journalists.
Application Form Guidelines
Please note in 2026, we have updated the application process and launched an online from. Please note the form will save your data for up to 30 days so please complete the submission within this time. There are two documents which can be downloaded here to help you with the process. We have included the Eligibility and Application and Artist Book Requirements here on this webpage. However, ensure you read the Application Overview document in full carefully before filling out and submitting the online form below. The document contains important information you will need to know to successfully apply.
For further queries, and more detailed explanation we have provided an Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.
