Call for Ceramic Artists: Fractured Foundations – 250 Years of American History
The American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) is proud to announce Fractured Foundations: 250 Years of American History. We invite ceramic artists to participate in this exhibition by proposing recently created or new work in response to the exhibition’s prompt.
Deadline to Apply: Sunday, October 12, 2025, 11:59pm PST
Applications will be accepted via Slideroom only
Artists residing in the United States are invited to propose work that reflects on an event in US History that demonstrates resilience, injustice, triumph, and the impact of federal, state, and local policies. Artists can choose an event from the list provided or select their own.
This exhibition aims to challenge traditional historical narratives and offer a more accurate perspective on our country. Applications for Fractured Foundations are open through October 12, 2025; the exhibition will run from June 27 to November 29, 2026.
Eligibility and Guidelines
ELIGIBILITY
• Open to artists aged 18 or older residing in the United States
• Artwork must consist of at least 50% clay
• Artwork must be about a historical event in America’s history; artists may choose an event from the spreadsheet provided or select their own
• Work proposed for the exhibition must be currently in progress or have been created within the last 3 years
GUIDELINES for ACCEPTED ARTISTS
• For shipped work, box dimensions must not exceed 24” in any direction
• For hand-delivered work, artwork dimensions must not exceed 48” in any direction
• Artwork should be exhibition-ready, with the artist responsible for providing any necessary mounting fixtures. AMOCA will provide pedestals
• AMOCA reserves the right to decline any artwork that arrives damaged or does not match the application submission
Application Information & Materials
The Fractured Foundations application is available on Slideroom. If you don’t already have a free Slideroom account, you’ll be prompted to create one before you apply. A short preview of the application is below; visit the Fractured Foundations web page for full details.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
• Proposals must include an accompanying project statement describing how your proposed piece responds to the exhibition theme
• To propose a recently completed piece, submit 3-4 images of that piece
• To propose a new (not yet completed) work, please submit a sketch and/or detailed written description of the proposed work along with 3 images of previously completed, existing work for reference
APPLICATION MATERIALS
• Project Statement: provide 250 words (maximum) describing your proposed project and how it responds to the exhibition theme
• Images:
o Completed work: submit 3–4 images
o Proposed new work: submit sketches and/or description + 3 images of past work for reference
o Be ready to share the title, materials, year completed, and dimensions (height, width, and depth) for each image
• Artist Bio: Tell us briefly about yourself and your ceramic background
FEE
• There is a $10 application fee, which helps to defray the costs of using Slideroom
FAQ
Q: I created a piece about the Tulsa Race Massacre in 2020. Can I send you pictures of that completed clay piece for consideration for Fractured Foundations?
A: No. This call is for recently created or new work only. We’re looking for work created in 2023 or after. If you have an idea for a piece but haven’t yet created it, submit a sketch of your new idea.
Q: I’ve started my piece, but it’s not finished yet. Should I upload a picture of the work in progress?
A: Sure! We’re happy to see images that will give us a better understanding of what you propose. Please upload a picture of your work in progress as one of your attachments.
Q: How will my submission be evaluated?
A: Applications will be reviewed by a Guest Juror (TBD), based on concept and execution of previous work.
Q: When will I hear back?
A: Participants will be notified by November 14, 2025.
Q: How long do I have to create the new work I proposed?
A: Accepted artists will be notified by Friday, November 14, 2025. Artwork needs to be completed and delivered to AMOCA in early May 2026.
Have more questions? Email us at exhibitions@amoca.org or call 909-865-3146
Additional information
About AMOCA
Located in Pomona, CA, the American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) champions the art, history, creation, and technology of ceramics through exhibitions, collections, outreach, and studio programming. With rotating exhibitions across our four galleries, there’s always something new to explore! Current exhibitions include Hot! & Ready to Serve: A Celebration of Functional Ceramics, In Their Hands: The Evolution of Mata Ortiz Pottery, Making in Between: Indigenous Americans, and A Traveler’s Guide to Mettlach. For public hours, exhibitions, programs, classes, workshops, and more, visit our website at www.amoca.org.
Exhibition Acknowledgments
This exhibition is funded, in part, by grants from the Dew Foundation, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, and by support from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.
