National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) is a dynamic, 501(c)3 organization that engages and sustains a community for ceramic art, teaching and learning. In addition to deepening knowledge within the field, NCECA expands it by working to cultivate the next generation of ceramic artists and enthusiasts through programming that affects professional artists, K-12 schools, community centers, universities, museums, galleries, businesses, organizations, collectors, and enthusiasts of ceramic art. Currently comprised of approximately 4,000 members from the United States and more than 20 foreign countries, NCECA reaches thousands of additional individuals each year through its programs, publications, events, exhibitions, and resources.

NCECA cultivates and sustains networks for reflective and creative practice through an annual conference, special interest symposia, and national and regional exhibitions. NCECA’s annual conference features dozens of presenters, demonstrations networking opportunities, and exhibitions over three and a half days each spring, each year in a different US city. NCECA’s Board of Directors and special appointees review hundreds of proposals for sessions and exhibitions gathered through open calls for submissions.  Cornerstone exhibitions include the NCECA Annual, Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition, and the NCECA Juried Student Exhibition. In conjunction with the annual NCECA conference, the organization also reviews, sites, and promotes a host-region-wide exhibition series.

NCECA supports learning year-round beyond the conference through media resources, social media, and web-based programming that features accomplished and emergent artists, community organizations, and issues. Additionally, NCECA fosters inquiry and professional advancement of ceramic arts and artists through annual fellowships that support independent research beyond the academic environment and awards that recognize and support emerging artists and other creative research experiences. NCECA is a qualified 501(C)(3) not-for-profit educational organization