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 “Shadows and Shards” “Heritage and Innovation, an anthropological approach” “Tradition & Jingdezhen” “A Study of Yuan Dynasty Official Kilns and Yuan Blue and White Porcelain Based on Archaeological Data and Related Literature” “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 by Kay Aplin (United Kingdom), Tomás Carpio (Ecuador), Andile Dyalvane (South Africa), Cecil Kemperink (Netherlands), Zhaojing Wang (China) |
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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 the President of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee, Svetlomira Stoyanova, and the IAC Representative to UNESCO Patty Wouters PRESENTATIONS:
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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 “The Development of Contemporary Chinese Ceramic Art: Perspectives from Domestic and International Exhibitions and Studio Residency Program Models” “Be Yourself” Joint presentation on Residency Programmes “Research on the International Ceramic Artist Residency Program in China” – Q&A / Discussion – |
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12:00 – 12:30 |
IAC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS by Karina Garrett (Argentina), Sinying Ho (United States), Nurdian Ichsan (Indonesia), Jason Lim (Singapore), Huang Weihong “PuMu” (China) |
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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 “From History to the Future: Ceramic Heritage Conservation and Cultural Renaissance in Jingdezhen” “The Narrative of Time – Nirvana of Clay” “Carbon Footprint of Handmade Ceramics” “Recycling Glaze-Fired Ceramic Waste: Doing More and Better with Less” “Sustainability and Circular Economy in Ceramics” – Q&A / Discussion – |
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| 12:00-12:30 |
IAC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS by Roxana Cervantes (Mexico), Shayonti Salvi (India), Hitomi & Takuro Shibata (United States), Giorgos Vavatsis (Greece) |
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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 |
EVENING ACTIVITIES
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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” “Long Time No See, Chinese Rituals” “The Future of Ceramics Design” “Artificial Intelligence Empowers Mass Innovation in Ceramics” “Ceramics in the Age of AI: Beyond the Echo Chamber” – Q&A / Discussion – |
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| 12:00 – 12:30 |
IAC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS by Atelier Terre Maison Giscard (France), Jane Bamford (Australia), Srinia Chowdhury (India), Bernard Kerr (Australia), Thomas Schmidt (United States) |
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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 | ||
| IAC Member Spotlight Presentations: 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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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...)Congress Exhibitions
The 2026 Congress features various IAC members' exhibitions alongside the conferences.
(read more...)Congress Satellite Exhibitions
In addition to several IAC Members' Exhibition, the hosts are pleased to present a number of regional and thematic group exhibitions.
(read more...)Member Spotlight Presentations
The Congress Academic Programme includes 19 Member Spotlight movies by IAC members
(read more...)Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Frequently asked questions to help you prepare your trip to China.
(read more...)







