CSA Millia Davenport

To be eligible a book must be:

• newly nominated; previously considered books may not be re-nominated
• a published book or exhibition catalogue by single author, multiple authors, or an edited book with contributors
• printed books only are eligible, pending a decision by CSA on electronic materials
• on a subject pertaining to any aspect of costume (history, theatre, fashion, design, etc.) but reflecting the goals and philosophy of the Costume Society of America
• A scholarly work, with proper citations of sources, bibliographic information, and indices. The inclusion of a glossary and appendices are recommended.
• must be published between July 15th of the prior year and October 15th of the current year
• published in English for practical reasons
• by an author who is a citizen of the Americas or has been a member of the Costume Society of America for at least five consecutive years directly prior to the nomination; in the case of a multi-authored work, a majority of authors must be citizens of the Americas or members of CSA for at least five consecutive years directly prior to the nomination; in the case of edited books, a majority of both editors and contributors must be citizens of the Americas or members of CSA for at least five consecutive years directly prior to the nomination
• the author or authors who are citizens of the Americas do not have to be members of CSA

Eligible books will be evaluated on:

• significance of the subject
• quality of scholarship
• appropriateness of research methods and techniques
• quality of writing
• originality
• creativity of treatment
• organization and documentation
• appropriateness of illustrations
• quality of illustrations

Nominations are limited to 3 books per individual nominator.

A complete nomination should be uploaded as one (1) pdf document under 100 MB, using this online submission form (available summer of 2025) that includes the following in listed order:

• The nominator's contact information (name, email address, and phone number)
• Publication Title
• Date of Publication (Eligible books must be published between July 15th of the prior year and October 15th of the current year)
• Name of Author or Authors (please note that eligibility is contingent on the majority of authors being citizens of the Americas or members of CSA for more than 5 years)
• Name and Location of Publisher
• Name and contact information for an individual from whom review copies and a pdf may be requested, if known. 
• Written statement about the book’s significance to the field. (approximately 200 words)
• Nominations will not be sent to the committee until a pdf of the publication has been provided by the author or publisher. 

Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

1. Quality of scholarship 
2. Quality of writing 
3. Significance of the subject 
4. Appropriate methods of research methods/techniques 
5. Originality 
6. Creativity of treatment 
7. Organization and documentation 
8. Appropriateness of illustrations

The nomination deadline is October 15, 2025. The committee chair will review the pdfs of the books to confirm their eligibility. Publishers of eligible books are then asked to send copies to the five committee members who serve as jurors. Authors and/or publishers are notified that their book has or has not received the award by mid-February 2026. The award-winning book is announced at the CSA National Symposium. The author of the award-winning book receives a certificate, the honorarium, and an invitation to speak at the CSA National Symposium in 2027.