How Many People Attend Nceca?

NCECA stands for the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. It is a dynamic 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that fosters global education and appreciation for the ceramic arts. NCECA hosts an annual conference that brings together thousands of artists, educators, students, individual and corporate members from around the world to celebrate and enhance ceramic arts education. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of NCECA’s annual conference, including details on attendance, scheduling, registration costs, speakers, and more.

History of NCECA

NCECA was founded as a non-profit organization in 1966 after several years of affiliation with the Ceramics Education Council of the American Ceramic Society.[1] The founding purpose was to promote and improve ceramic arts education.[1]

Some key milestones in NCECA’s history include:[2]

• First conference held in 1967 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Incorporated as a non-profit in 1971
• 50th anniversary conference held in 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri
• Membership grew from 200 in 1966 to over 6,000 by 2022

Over the past 50+ years, NCECA has become a leading organization for ceramic arts education and engagement in North America.[3]

Locations

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) annual conference has been held in cities across the United States since its inaugural conference in 1967. Some of the locations NCECA has visited over the decades include:

• Alfred, NY (1967)
• San Francisco, CA (1976, 2017)
• Seattle, WA (1983)
• Pittsburgh, PA (1988, 2005)
• Cincinnati, OH (1993)
• Salt Lake City, UT (1998)
• Charlotte, NC (2002)
• Portland, OR (2009)
• Houston, TX (2011)
• Providence, RI (2015)
• Kansas City, MO (2019) (Sean Burns)

In 2023, NCECA will hold its 57th annual conference in Minneapolis, MN. The organization aims to vary conference locations each year in order to showcase different arts communities across the United States.

Conference Details

The NCECA annual conference lasts for 4 days and is packed with various events. The main conference typically runs Wednesday through Saturday.

There are over 150 presentations, lectures, panel discussions, and topic-focused conversations led by renowned presenters in the ceramic arts field. Presentation formats include hands-on workshops, demonstrations, discussions, and slide lectures covering a wide range of ceramic art topics.

The conference also features an enormous exhibition hall showcasing hundreds of exhibits from artists around the world. The hall spans over 40,000 square feet. There are galleries of curated artwork as well as dozens of booths where artists sell their pieces.

In the evenings, local universities and art centers host special presentations and programs in partnership with NCECA. There are also receptions, dinners, and entertainment events.

Throughout the conference, attendees can browse and purchase art from the exhibition hall, network with other artists and professionals, and explore the host city.

Attendance Numbers

According to an article from nwmissouri.edu, NCECA’s annual conference draws thousands of attendees each year. The conference has grown significantly since its inception in 1966, when around 200 people attended the first gathering. Since then, attendance at NCECA has steadily increased over the decades.

Today, NCECA draws over 6,000 attendees annually from across the ceramics field. This includes ceramic artists, educators, students, collectors, gallery owners, and more. The conference offers special rates for students to encourage participation from the next generation of ceramic artists. In recent years, student attendance has represented around 20% of total conference attendees.

The majority of attendees are professional ceramic artists and educators, making up an estimated 60-70% of participants. NCECA also draws collectors, gallery owners, manufacturers, suppliers, and other industry professionals. With ceramics continuing to grow in popularity as an art form and hobby, NCECA’s attendance numbers are likely to keep rising in the years ahead.

Scheduling

The NCECA conference typically runs for 4 days, from Wednesday to Saturday. The main conference hours are 9am to 6pm each day, with some evening events and receptions that can run until 10pm or later.

There is often some overlap between pre-conference workshops, which start on the Monday before the main conference, and the start of the main conference on Wednesday. Keynote speeches and presentations take place throughout the 4 days of the main conference.

The 2022 conference was originally scheduled for March 16-19 but was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. It will now take place April 27-30, 2022 in Sacramento, California (https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ9f5oIFo7x/).

With 4 full days packed with presentations, demonstrations, exhibitions, and networking events, the NCECA conference offers attendees a comprehensive overview of the ceramic arts community.

Registration Costs

NCECA conference registration costs vary depending on the type of attendee. NCECA offers discounted rates for students and teachers. The 2023 conference early registration rate for NCECA members who are students was $165 while the non-member student rate was $215 [1]. For the 2024 conference, early registration rates for student members will be $175 and $225 for non-member students [2].

Professionals and non-students can take advantage of early registration discounts as well. The 2023 early registration rate for NCECA members was $325 while non-members paid $410 [1]. For 2024, members will pay $350 for early registration and non-members will pay $435 [2].

In addition to conference registration, attendees need to be members of NCECA to qualify for discounted member pricing. Membership rates are $70 for students and $100 for professionals [3].

Speakers & Presenters

NCECA attracts many renowned ceramic artists, educators, and industry leaders as speakers and presenters each year. According to NCECA’s Press Room (https://nceca.net/press), notable keynote speakers have included Maija Peeples-Bright, Roberto Lugo, Clare Twomey, and Jennifer Lee.

Some of the high-profile presenters featured at recent conferences include Jessica Ralli, Akio Takamori, Kristen Kieffer, Roberto Lugo, Roberto Benavidez, Virgil Ortiz, Linda Sikora, Arthur Gonzalez, and Andrew Martin.

The presenters come from diverse backgrounds and specialties within ceramics. NCECA aims to provide a platform for emerging voices as well as established artists and educators. Presenters share their experiences, research, techniques, and perspectives through demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on workshops.

Having skilled ceramic artists engage in direct conversation and instruction allows NCECA attendees to learn from the best. The speaker and presenter lineup is a major draw each year.

Sponsors & Partners

NCECA partners with major organizations in the ceramic arts community to make the annual conference possible. Some of the key sponsors and partners over the years have included:

• The Archie Bray Foundation – This renowned ceramic arts organization has sponsored NCECA exhibitions and presentations. They also provide clay and glaze materials for demonstrations (https://issuu.com/nceca/docs/forweb-2-15-printprogram).
• Ceramic Arts Network – The leading online resource for ceramic arts regularly partners with NCECA as a sponsor and media partner (http://www.christaassad.com/blog/tag/teapot).
• American Ceramic Society – This major organization supports NCECA through sponsorships and joint initiatives.
• Kohler Foundation – Known for arts education and preservation, Kohler has sponsored NCECA presentations and workshops.

These and other sponsors provide critical financial support, facilities, materials and exposure for NCECA’s annual conference. Their partnerships enable NCECA to host a robust event for thousands of ceramic arts professionals, students and enthusiasts.

Conclusion

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference is the premier event for ceramic arts enthusiasts, professionals, and students. NCECA has been bringing together thousands of attendees to celebrate and discuss ceramic arts for over 50 years. While the exact attendance fluctuates from year to year, NCECA conferences typically draw between 4,000-6,000 attendees.

The conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for ceramic artists to network, share ideas, learn new techniques, and be inspired. NCECA plays a vital role in fostering a strong community that supports innovation and excellence within the ceramic arts. Attending NCECA allows participants to experience the energy and passion that drives this creative field.

With expert presentations, groundbreaking exhibitions, and diverse networking events, NCECA’s annual conference is the most significant gathering for ceramic arts professionals and fans. The conference provides invaluable professional development and creative fuel to keep ceramic arts evolving and inspiring future generations.