Programme

Imperial Kiln Museum.

 

The 52nd IAC CONGRESS & GENERAL ASSEMBLY
27 June to 2 July 2026

‘Inheritance and Innovation’


   

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.

  • ACADEMIC AND EXHIBITION PROGRAMME

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:

  • Three headline exhibitions of IAC members’ works: the International Members’ Exhibition, the New Members’ Exhibition and the International Residencies Exhibition.
  • The National Exhibition
  • The 2026 Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale, the headline event of the satellite programme.

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. 

Date Time Programme

27/06
(Sat)

All day

PRE-REGISTRATION & LOCAL TOURS

28/06
(Sun)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

08:30 – 09:00

WELCOME & REGISTRATION
Collection of accreditation and documentation
at Taoxichuan Grand Theatre

09:00 – 10:45

GENERAL ASSEMBLY I
at Taoxichuan Grand Theatre

– IAC members only –

10:45 – 11:15

Coffee Break

11:15 – 12:30

OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 52nd IAC CONGRESS 

WELCOME SPEECHES
 – Jingdezhen City host representative
 – Jingdezhen Ceramic University host representative
 – Oriol CALVO VERGÉS, IAC President

GROUP PHOTO

12:45 – 14:00

Lunch at the Hyatt Hotel

14:00 – 16:00

EXHIBITION OPENING 
at Taoxichuan Art Museum

“IAC International Members’ Exhibition” & “IAC International Residencies’ Exhibition”

16:00 – 18:30

AFTERNOON CIRCUITS

1. Ancient Kiln Museum, Jingdezhen China Porcelain Museum, Changnali Art-Toy Town
2. Imperial Kiln Museum, Mingfang Ceramic Park

18:30 – 20:00 Welcome Dinner (Buffet)
at the Taoxichuan Traders Hotel
20:00 – 22:00

2025 NEW MEMBERS & MEMBERS OF HONOUR CEREMONY 
at the Taoxichuan Grand Theatre

 

29/06
(Mon)

08.30 – 09.00 ARRIVAL & MINGLING
at Taoxichuan Grand Theatre
09:00 – 12:00

LECTURES & DISCUSSION: “Historical Perspectives”
Introduced and moderated by Lyu Pinchang (China)

Keynote (title to be confirmed)
Wayne HIGBY (United States)

“Heritage and Innovation, an anthropological approach”
Fang Lili (China)

Lecture (title to be confirmed)
Takeshi YASUDA (Japan)

“Heritage Preservation and Modern Transmission”
Jiang Jianxin (China)

“The History of Contemporary Japanese Ceramics and its Development for the Next Generation”
Tetsuya TANAKA (Japan)

– Q&A / Discussion –

12:00 – 12:30

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch at the Hyatt Hotel

14:00 – 16:00

EXHIBITION OPENINGS
at Jingdezhen Ceramic University (JCU)

1. Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale 2026
2. The National Exhibition 

16:00 – 18:30

ACTIVITIES

1. Roundtables (IAC members only)
at the JCU Conference Hall

2. “Ceramic Road”- International Ceramic Education Alliance Symposium

3. Afternoon circuits (Non-members only)

4. Satellite exhibitions (throughout six university campuses in Jingdezhen)

18:30 – 19:30

Dinner (Buffet) at JCU Canteen
Transfer at 19:30 to Taoxichuan

20:00 – 22:00

IAC/UNESCO EVENING
at Taoxichuan Grand Theatre

 

30/06
(Tue)

08:30 – 09:00

ARRIVAL & MINGLING
at Taoxichuan Grand Theatre

09:00 – 12:00

LECTURES & DISCUSSION: “Global Dialogue and Local Practice”
Introduced and moderated by Wang Luxiang (China)

Keynote (title to be confirmed)
Bai Ming (China)

“Emotional Design & Global Dialogue”
Piet Stockmans (Belgium)

Joint presentation on Residency Programmes (JCU, Archie Bray, EKWC)
Li Chao (China), Rebecca Harvey (United States), Ranti Jian (The Netherlands)

“Research on the International Ceramic Artist Residency Program in China”
Jon Wang (China)

– Q&A / Discussion –

12:00 – 12:30

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch at the Hyatt Hotel
14:00 – 16:00

EXHIBITION OPENING
at the Taoxichuan Art Gallery of Qiumo

“IAC New Members’ Exhibition”

16:00 – 18:00

AFTERNOON CIRCUITS

1. Ancient Kiln Museum, Jingdezhen China Porcelain Museum, Changnali Art-Toy Town
2. Imperial Kiln Museum, Mingfang Ceramic Park

18:30 – 20:00

Dinner (Buffet)
at Taoxichuan Traders Hotel

20:00 – 22:00

China Impression (Live Ceramic Performance)
at Mingfang Ceramic Park

 

01/07
(Wed)

08:30 – 09:00 ARRIVAL & MINGLING
at Taoxichuan Grand Theatre
09:00 – 12:00

LECTURES & DISCUSSION: “Sustainable Development and Ecological Responsibility”
Introduced and moderated by Jacques Kaufmann (France)

Keynote (title to be confirmed)
Zhang Jie (China)

Lecture (title to be confirmed)
Xu Cheng (China)

“Sustainable Practices in Design”
Yuliya Makliuk (Ukraine)

“Recycling Fired Ceramic Inside Clays for New Products”
Shashank Nimkar (India)

“Sustainability and Circular Economy in Ceramics”
Sarban Chowdhury (India)

– Q&A / Discussion –

12:00-12:30

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS

12:30 – 14:00 Lunch at the Hyatt Hotel
14:00 – 19:00 AFTERNOON TRIP (departure from Hyatt Hotel)

  • Kaolin Clay Mine Site
  • Yaoli Raonan Ancient Porcelain-making site
  • Tianbao Dragon Kiln
19:00 – 20:00 Dinner (Buffet)
at Taoxichuan Traders Hotel
20:00 – 22:00
  • Special exhibition of China Intangible Cultural Heritage
  • IAC Treasure Bowl Fundraiser
  • VIP Cocktail
 

02/07
(Thur)

 

08:30 -09:00 ARRIVAL & MINGLING
at the Taoxichuan Grand Theatre
09:00 – 12:00

LECTURES & DISCUSSION: “The Future: Craft, Technology, Science”
Introduced and moderated by Misun Rheem

Keynote (title to be confirmed)
Robert Hassan (Australia)

“Designing with Industry”
Huang Chunmao (China)

“The Future of Ceramics Design”
Robert Suk (Germany)

“Designing with AI”
Yu Hang (China)

“Artists in the Echo Chamber: Who Defines the Value of Craft in the Age of AI?”
Jisun Kim (South Korea)

– Q&A / Discussion –

12:00 – 12:30

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS

12:30 – 14:00 Lunch at the Hyatt Hotel
14:00 – 16:00

GENERAL ASSEMBLY II
at Taoxichuan Grand Theatre

– IAC members only –

16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break
16:30 – 18:30

GENERAL ASSEMBLY II (cont.)
at Taoxichuan Grand Theatre

– IAC members only –

18:30 – 20:00 Taiping Kiln Bonfire Farewell Dinner
at Taoxichuan Square
20:00 – 22:00

Farewell Party
– Performance with porcelain instruments 
– Pass the baton ceremony for the next IAC Congress host

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

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
For those looking to extend their stay in China, three  itineraries are available before and after the Congress.

Pre-Congress: 

  • Beijing, Shanghai and Yixing
  • Beijing, Longquan and Dehua
  • Beijing, Xi’an and Jingdezhen

Post-Congress: 

  • Jingdezhen, Longquan and Dehua
  • Jingdezhen, Shanghai and Yixing
  • Jingdezhen, Xi’an and Beijing

About

The 52nd IAC Congress takes place from 27 June to 2 July 2026 in Jingdezhen, China.

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About the Hosts

Jingdezhen City, a city with a rich ceramic history and traditions that remain firmly rooted in the present.

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Theme

The theme of the 2026 Congress is "Inheritance and Innovation".

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Registration fees & Conditions

Information on the registration categories.

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