Mark Barbour

Mark Barbour is the Founding Director and Curator of the International Printing Museum, Carson, California. As one of the founders of the museum in 1988, Mark’s vision and passion over the years have been instrumental in establishing the International Printing Museum as one of cultural gems of Southern California. Mark continues to be creative in develop a broad base of programs and support, helping the museum to grow far beyond a warehouse collection of dusty, printing industry relics into a relevant cultural and educational destination for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The Museum’s many programs bring to life one of the world's most significant and comprehensive printing collections by actively involving visitors of all ages in an accessible, living, working history of the printed word and its continuing impact on our world.

Mark’s ongoing work includes tours and education programs, research, acquisitions, moving heavy antique machinery, restoration of presses, collections management, instructional classes, writing, marketing and promotions, facility management, donor and fundraising development. Since 1988, Mark has also been engaged as a consultant for film and television on the subject of printing, regularly renting the museum’s printing presses for film and television.

Mark holds a Graphic Communication degree from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA. During his tenure at Cal Poly Mark worked as the student curator of the Shakespeare Press Printing Museum, an experience that developed his passion for printing history and for using that history to inspire others.