Programme
 Imperial Kiln Museum. |
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The 52nd IAC CONGRESS & GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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The 2026 IAC Congress, themed ‘Inheritance and Innovation’, will bring the global ceramic arts community together in Jingdezhen through a programme of academic exchange, exhibitions, performances and cultural immersion activities.
The Congress has a multi-level structure, combining academic sessions with a comprehensive exhibition matrix. Academic activities will include keynote speeches, invited lectures, open call lectures, member spotlight talks and panel discussions. These will focus on emerging trends, global dialogue and cross-cultural perspectives in ceramic art. |
Complementing the academic programme is a diverse exhibition line-up. Key exhibitions include:
There will also be a member-led fundraising exhibition. Together, these offerings will showcase historical legacies and contemporary innovations in the field. |
Congress Schedule* Please note that the information on this page may be subject to modifications. |
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| Date | Time | Programme |
27/06
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All day |
PRE-REGISTRATION (from 9am to midnight): Collection of accreditation and documentation. Attendees are strongly advised to collect their accreditation on this day if they are already in Jingdezhen. LOCAL TOURS (free entrance to the sites but self-supported on transportation and meals) |
28/06
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08:00 – 09:00 |
WELCOME COFFEE & REGISTRATION |
| 09:00 – 10:45 |
GENERAL ASSEMBLY I – IAC members only – |
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| 10:45 – 11:15 |
Coffee Break |
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| 11:15 – 12:30 |
OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 52nd IAC CONGRESS WELCOME SPEECHES GROUP PHOTO |
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| 12:30 – 14:00 |
Lunch at the Hyatt Hotel |
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| 14:00 – 16:00 |
EXHIBITION OPENINGS “IAC International Members’ Exhibition” & “IAC International Residencies’ Exhibition” |
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| 16:00 – 18:30 |
AFTERNOON CIRCUITS 1. Ancient Kiln Museum, Jingdezhen China Porcelain Museum, Changnali Art-Toy Town |
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| 18:30 – 20:00 | Welcome Dinner (Buffet) at the Taoxichuan Traders Hotel |
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| 20:00 – 22:00 |
2025 NEW MEMBERS & MEMBERS OF HONOUR CEREMONY |
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29/06
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08.00 – 09.00 | WELCOME COFFEE at Taoxichuan Grand Theatre |
| 09:00 – 12:00 |
LECTURES & DISCUSSION: “Historical Perspectives” KEYNOTE LECTURE (title to be confirmed) “Heritage and Innovation, an anthropological approach” Lecture (title to be confirmed) “Heritage Preservation and Modern Transmission” “Kogei Meets Contemporary Art: The History of Japanese Ceramics from Postmodernism to Today” – Q&A / Discussion – |
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| 12:00 – 12:30 |
IAC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS |
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| 12:30 – 14:00 |
Lunch at the Hyatt Hotel |
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| 14:00 – 16:00 |
EXHIBITION OPENINGS “Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale 2026” & “National Exhibition” |
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| 16:00 – 18:30 |
ACTIVITIES 1. Roundtables (IAC members only) 2. “Ceramic Road”- International Ceramic Education Alliance Symposium – JCU General Conference Hall 3. Afternoon circuits (Non-members only) 4. Satellite exhibitions (throughout six university campuses in Jingdezhen) |
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| 18:30 – 19:30 |
Dinner (Buffet) at JCU Canteen Transfer at 19:30 to Taoxichuan Grand Theatre |
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| 20:00 – 22:00 |
IAC/UNESCO EVENING Opening words by UNESCO representatives and the IAC Representative to UNESCO Patty Wouters PRESENTATIONS: 1. “Memories of the World” by Guangzhen Zhou, Phyllis Kudder-Sullivan & Patty Wouters 2. “Tibet ethnic research, information about the dedicated film” by Lu Bin and Xu Ying 3. “Lumu Golden Brick” by Tan Hongyu and Jin Jin 4. “From past to history, with sociological approach and perspectives – Jingpiao movement, Art and Design” by a Jingdezhen Ceramic University representative (TBC) |
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30/06
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08:00 – 09:00 |
WELCOME COFFEE |
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09:00 – 12:00 |
LECTURES & DISCUSSION: “Global Dialogue and Local Practice” Keynote (title to be confirmed) “Emotional Design & Global Dialogue” Joint presentation on Residency Programmes (JCU, Archie Bray, EKWC) “Research on the International Ceramic Artist Residency Program in China” – Q&A / Discussion – |
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12:00 – 12:30 |
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS |
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12:30 – 14:00 |
Lunch at the Hyatt Hotel | |
| 14:00 – 16:00 |
EXHIBITION OPENING “IAC New Members’ Exhibition” |
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| 16:00 – 18:00 |
AFTERNOON CIRCUITS 1. Ancient Kiln Museum, Jingdezhen China Porcelain Museum, Changnali Art-Toy Town |
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| 18:30 – 20:00 |
Dinner (Buffet) |
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| 20:00 – 22:00 |
China Impression (Live Ceramic Performance) |
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01/07
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08:30 – 09:00 | ARRIVAL & MINGLING at Taoxichuan Grand Theatre |
| 09:00 – 12:00 |
LECTURES & DISCUSSION: “Sustainable Development and Ecological Responsibility” Keynote (title to be confirmed) Lecture (title to be confirmed) “Carbon Footprint of Handmade Ceramics” “Recycling Fired Ceramic Inside Clays for New Products” “Sustainability and Circular Economy in Ceramics” – Q&A / Discussion – |
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| 12:00-12:30 |
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS |
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| 12:30 – 14:00 | Lunch at the Hyatt Hotel | |
| 14:00 – 19:00 | AFTERNOON TRIP (departure from Hyatt Hotel)
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| 19:00 – 20:00 | Dinner (Buffet) at Taoxichuan Traders Hotel |
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| 20:00 – 22:00 |
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02/07
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08:30 -09:00 | ARRIVAL & MINGLING at the Taoxichuan Grand Theatre |
| 09:00 – 12:00 |
LECTURES & DISCUSSION: “The Future: Craft, Technology, Science” Keynote – “Analog Embodiment and Digital Alienation” “Designing with Industry” “The Future of Ceramics Design” “Designing with AI” “Ceramics in the Age of AI: Beyond the Echo Chamber” – Q&A / Discussion – |
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| 12:00 – 12:30 |
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS |
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| 12:30 – 14:00 | Lunch at the Hyatt Hotel | |
| 14:00 – 16:00 |
GENERAL ASSEMBLY II – IAC members only – |
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| 16:00 – 16:30 | Coffee Break | |
| 16:30 – 18:30 |
GENERAL ASSEMBLY II (cont.) – IAC members only – |
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| 18:30 – 20:00 | Taiping Kiln Bonfire Farewell Dinner at Taoxichuan Square |
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| 20:00 – 22:00 |
Farewell Party |
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| Thematic presentations: lectures by speakers selected on a specific theme | ||
| Members Spotlights: short pre-recorded presentations by IAC members | ||
| Fringe programme (evening activities, exhibition openings) | ||
| Sessions open to IAC members only | ||
Explore Jingdezhen Before and After the Congress |
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Before or after the Congress, visitors are encouraged to explore Jingdezhen’s vibrant ceramic scene. Highlights include Sanbao Ceramics Valley, the Lyu Pinchang Art Museum, Taoran Market, Changnanli Art Toy Town, Laoyatan Ceramic Workshops, the Sculpture Porcelain Factory & Creative Market, and the ongoing Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale at the JCU Art Museum. PRE & POST-CONGRESS TOUR OPTIONS |
Pre-Congress:
Post-Congress:
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About
The 52nd IAC Congress takes place from 27 June to 2 July 2026 in Jingdezhen, China.
(read more...)About the Hosts
Jingdezhen City, a city with a rich ceramic history and traditions that remain firmly rooted in the present.
(read more...)Theme
The theme of the 2026 Congress is "Inheritance and Innovation".
(read more...)Registration fees & Conditions
Information on the registration categories.
(read more...)Pre- and Post-Congress tours
Details on the six Pre- and Post-Congress Tours.
(read more...)Press
The press release and various images are available for download here.
(read more...)