The week’s news in the ceramic art world – March 11, 2026

👌 Around this time of year, many Artist-in-Residence programs in the United States open their applications. Deadlines are typically at the end of March and April, so now is a great time for ceramic artists based in the US to send their submissions. Almost all these residencies are available again this year, and some are fully funded.

👉 The 60th conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), Volumes, will take place in Detroit between March 25-28, bringing together thousands of artists, educators, curators, and students from around the world. One of the largest and most influential gatherings dedicated to ceramics, the event features lectures, panel discussions, and a vast programme of exhibitions across the city. The full conference schedule and exhibition listings are now available on the NCECA website.

⭐ Applications are open for the 14th International Ceramics Biennial of El Vendrell, an international competition organized by the City Council of El Vendrell, Spain, to promote contemporary ceramic art. Up to twenty works will be selected for exhibition at Sala Portal del Pardo from November 13, 2026 to January 16, 2027, with one artist receiving the €4,300 Biennial Prize and the opportunity to present a solo exhibition in 2027. Submissions are due August 2, 2026.

🗽 Artists, craftspeople, designers, and architects are invited to apply for the 2027 Greenwich House Pottery Artist Residency in New York. The program offers artists the opportunity to develop new work while engaging with the vibrant community of Greenwich House Pottery, a long-established ceramics center. Residents receive a semi-private studio, access to professional equipment and materials, and opportunities to share their work through talks, studio visits, and workshops. Residencies typically last one to three months, and applications are open until April 1, 2026.

☘️ Ceramic artists are invited to apply for the Clay City Summer Professional Residency, a three-month residency in Dublin organised by Throwing Shapes in partnership with Staycity. The program offers free studio access and city-centre accommodation, supporting artists in developing a project or research body of work while engaging with Ireland’s ceramics community. The residency runs June 1 – August 31, 2026, and applications are open to established ceramic artists from Ireland and abroad. Deadline: March 19, 2026.

🎓 Artists based in the US are invited to apply for the Artist-in-Residence position in Ceramics at Tyler School of Art and Architecture (Temple University). The resident artist plays an active role in the program, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students while teaching one to two courses per semester. The residency includes a 150-square-foot studio, materials, and kiln access, offering time and space to develop new work within a vibrant academic community. Applications require a portfolio and supporting materials submitted as a single PDF. Deadline: April 1, 2026.

👌 CERCCO (the Center for Experimentation and Realisation in Contemporary Ceramics of the Geneva University of Art and Design) invites applications for two residencies for 3 months. Workspace at CERCCO is open to ceramicists, designers, artists, and architects who wish to experiment and carry out a specific project. CERCCO will make a wide range of technical and artistic expertise available. Applications deadline: March 16.

🎉 London Potters, one of the UK’s largest independent ceramics associations, will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a three-day public program at The Art Workers’ Guild in London from March 20–22, 2026. The event will feature exhibitions, a members’ fair, demonstrations, talks, and a display exploring the association’s history since its founding in 1986. Highlights include presentations by Kate Malone, Felicity Aylieff, and Richard Miller. Admission is free and open to the public, with some talks and demonstrations ticketed for members.

🗨️ The North West Ceramics Foundation will host its next Speakers Series event on March 29, 2026, featuring Australian artist, writer, and educator Dr. Julie Bartholomew. Titled Marking Time, the lecture reflects on more than three decades of Bartholomew’s practice, which addresses social and environmental issues through sculpture and installations in ceramics and glass. The online presentation will take place at 4 pm PST via Zoom, is free and open to all, and requires advance registration.