NCECA 2027: Belonging - Representation in Clay

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 11:59PM THURSDAY, JUNE 25.

NCECA's Belonging 2027, an exhibition juried by Lydia C. Thompson and organized by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA,) will run concurrently with CHARM, the 61st annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Baltimore, Maryland, March 10-13, 2027. Previously known as the NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition, this iteration expands outside of the Multicultural Fellowship to platform artists who self-identify as marginalized. The exhibition brings together voices working across ceramics and interdisciplinary practices, emphasizing the role of clay in articulating identity, cultural histories, and systems of knowledge. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO AN UPDATE TO CAFE ON 6.24, WE ARE EXTENDING THE DEADLINE TO 11:59PM THURSDAY, JUNE 25.  

If you experience technical difficulties, please contact CaFÉ Support at cafe@wearecreativewest.org. NCECA staff cannot assist with technical issues.

Please save your application frequently. CaFÉ sessions can occasionally time out, and unsaved work may be lost.

We strongly recommend preparing your statements and other written responses in a separate document so you can easily copy and paste them into the application.

 PROSPECTUS NCECA BELONGING 2027

Juried by Lydia C. Thompson

DEADLINE: June 24, 2026 (11:59pm MDT) DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 11:59PM THURSDAY, JUNE 25

Please note time zone - late entries will not be accepted

If you encounter problems and require technical assistance, contact CaFÉ™ support staff at cafe@wearecreativewest.org

If you have questions about eligibility or submission rules, contact tammy@nceca.net

HOSTED BY:
CREATIVE ALLIANCE
3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 276-1651

https://creativealliance.org/  Contact: Joy Davis joy@creativealliance.org 

EXHIBITION DATES:  March 5 -  April 17, 2027

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Belonging 2027, a juried exhibition organized by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA,) will run concurrently with CHARM, the 61st annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Baltimore, Maryland, March 10-13, 2027. Previously known as the NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition, this iteration expands outside of the Multicultural Fellowship to platform artists who self-identify as marginalized. The exhibition brings together voices working across ceramics and interdisciplinary practices, emphasizing the role of clay in articulating identity, cultural histories, and systems of knowledge.

The creative achievements of historically underrepresented individuals and communities have too often been absent from narratives that shape our field. Belonging creates space for artists of diverse backgrounds to craft and create a more inclusive vision of our past, present, and future. Whether creating fired clay works or engaging with clay through interdisciplinary practices, Belonging celebrates cultural identity, highlights marginalized histories, and reveals systems of knowledge often unnoticed.

Previously known as the NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition, the Belonging exhibition series has expanded eligibility to all diverse artists who work with clay as a medium of personal and cultural expression. 

Thank you to Curator Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy, who framed the universal power of Belonging as a conceptual foundation for her 2022 NCECA Annual exhibition at the Crocker Art Museum. Through this recurring exhibition series, NCECA honors Belonging as universal and essential to humanity.

ABOUT THE JUROR

Lydia C. Thompson is a visual artist and educator.  She is a mixed-media artist specializing in ceramics that explore her cultural narratives. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Ohio State University and her Master of Fine Arts degree from the New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Her work has been included in galleries, art centers, and museums such as the Mindy Solomon Gallery, the Society for Contemporary Crafts, the Baltimore Clayworks, The Clay Studio, Clay Art Center, the Ohr O’Keefe Museum, the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, James A. Michener Art Museum, the Crocker Art Museum, the Mint Museum, and Northern Clay Center.  

ABOUT THE GALLERY

Creative Alliance is a thriving hybrid cultural center dedicated to bringing artists and communities together to experience and engage through the arts and education. The physical environment integrates galleries with a 200-seat flexible theater, classrooms, and live/work studios for 8 artists.

 ELIGIBILITY

Artists must be 18 years or older.

NCECA membership is not required for eligibility; however, NCECA members receive complimentary entry to NCECA exhibition calls.

ENTRY FEES

Member: $0.00; Non-member: $50.00

Please note that NCECA is unable to issue refunds for incorrect fee submissions.

The entry fee supports the scope and quality of the exhibition. As a nonprofit organization with a limited budget, NCECA strives to keep fees as accessible as possible. 

NCECA WILL VERIFY MEMBERSHIP. Please check your NCECA Membership status and expiration date by logging into your NCECA Account at this LINK or contacting support@nceca.net. To renew or become a member of NCECA, go to https://nceca.net/members

NUMBER OF WORKS

Artists may submit up to three (3) artworks.

Each artwork may include up to two (2) media files, for a maximum of six (6) media files total.

MEDIA & LIMITATIONS

This exhibition highlights dynamic approaches to ceramic practice, encompassing material, process, history, and context. Mixed-media work is acceptable when clay and ceramic processes are central to the work.

Video that engages ceramic materials, processes, or histories may be considered at the curator’s discretion. 

• Submit video as a link (YouTube, Vimeo, or similar).
• One video sample per artwork may be submitted, up to two minutes in length; an additional link to a full-length video may be included.
• Videos requiring login access will not be reviewed.
• Artworks requiring projection may be required to have the appropriate technology supplied, based on the venue’s discretion. 

Works involving photography that reference ceramic materials or processes may be considered at the jurors’ discretion.

All work must be structurally sound and installable. Floor and pedestal work must be self-supporting. 

Wall-mounted work must include secure hanging hardware.

Individual components must weigh under 100 lbs. and fit through a standard 36” x 80”.

NCECA and the venue reserve the right to exclude work that cannot be safely installed or arrives in unstable condition.

Final selections are contingent upon the venue’s ability to accommodate the work.

EXCLUSIONS

NCECA reserves the right to exclude:

• Submissions with more than three artworks or more than two images per artwork
• Works in progress or representations of works in progress will not be considered.
• Works previously exhibited in NCECA Cornerstone exhibitions (Annual, NJSE, MCFE)
• Submissions with incomplete answers to questions
• The same work submitted to multiple 2027 NCECA calls in the same year

NOTE:

Submitted work must be available and match the original application. 

No substitutions or alterations will be permitted after submission or acceptance.

Selected works must remain on view for the full duration of the exhibition.

ENTRY PREPARATION & APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must first create a CaFÉ™ profile at https://artist.callforentry.org/login.php 

For complete specifications, tutorials, and resources, please visit the CaFÉ™ website at  https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-CaFÉ™/

Uploaded media files will be stored in your CaFÉ™ Portfolio as a repository of images to be accessed while completing the submission.

Media file submissions must comply with specifications found at CaFÉ™ https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-CaFÉ™/uploading-media/

If you have a CaFÉ™ profile, log in and confirm your current contact information. This information will be used to contact you about a

Accounts that have not been used in the past two years are automatically deactivated by the CaFÉ™ system. If your account has been deactivated, allow ample time to contact CaFÉ™ and request reactivation.

Please note that if CaFÉ™ is experiencing high email volume, response times may be delayed by a few hours. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).

NCECA will not extend the submission deadline for applicants who experience technical issues with CaFÉ™ after 4:00 PM MDT on June 17, 2026. o avoid potential problems, we strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the deadline.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

1. Prepare all application materials in advance, including images that meet CaFÉ™ specifications, artwork details, and required written statements.
2. Ensure that all written statements comply with NCECA's character limits.
3. Save copies of all submitted text for your records.
4. Carefully proofread all materials before submission. Submitted text should be publication-ready.

If selected, NCECA reserves the right to edit submitted statements for the exhibition catalog to ensure consistency with its style guide and to address spelling, grammar, length, and clarity. 

ARTIST STATEMENT

Provide a first-person statement that offers context for your work, including process, materials, influences, or themes.

• This statement will be included in the Exhibition Catalog
• Character limit: 600–1,000 characters (including spaces; approximately 100–150 words)
• Do not include biographical information.

ARTWORK STATEMENTS

Provide a brief statement for each submitted artwork..

• Total character limit: 2,000 characters (including spaces), shared across all submitted works.
• Describe how each work relates to the exhibition concept and, if applicable, relevant processes or media.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Provide a third-person biography focused on your background.

• This is about you, not your artwork or your process.
• This statement will be included in the Exhibition Catalog
• Character Limit: 300–700 characters, including spaces (approximately 50-100 words)

Important: Your biographical statement must be between 300 and 700 characters, even though CaFÉ™ allows up to 1,000 characters. Statements that exceed 700 characters may be disqualified or truncated.

EXHIBITION HISTORY (NCECA MULTICULTURAL FELLOWSHIP EXHIBITION) 

Has your work  been previously exhibited as part of the NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition within the past three years? If yes, please select all applicable years:

☐ 2026 NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition

☐ 2025 NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition

☐ 2024 NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition

☐ Not Applicable

PRONOUNS (optional)

CV

Upload a two-page CV highlighting career accomplishments.

• Maximum file size: 2 MB
• File type: PDF or Word document

HEADSHOT

Submit a high-quality portrait of the artist.

• File type: .jpg only
• Minimum dimensions: 900 × 900 pixels
  (Equivalent to 3 × 3 inches at 300 ppi; 6" at 150 ppi; 12.5" at 72 ppi)
• Images larger than 900 pixels are acceptable; smaller images will not be used

Use this file naming format:
     FirstName LastName_2027BEL_Photo credit_PhotographerName.jpg

Example:
     Tammy Lynn_2027BEL_Photo credit_Robert Couto.jpg

WEIGHT OF ARTWORK IN LBS

IS THE WORK TO BE WALL MOUNTED?

SOCIAL MEDIA

Share up to two links (e.g., Instagram, website).
If not applicable, enter “NONE.”

IMAGES

Submit up to three artworks, with a maximum of two media files per work.

• Format: .jpg
• Minimum: 1,200 pixels on the longest side
• Maximum file size: 5 MB
• Color profile: sRGB
• Images must be high resolution.
• The submitted work must be available for the exhibition and match the original entry.

DETAIL IMAGES:
Detail or alternate views must be clearly labeled.

IF SELECTED

You will be required to upload larger images for publication:

• Minimum dimensions: 2700 × 3600 pixels
  (Equivalent to 9 × 12 inches at 300 ppi; 18 × 24" at 150 ppi; 37.5 × 50" at 72 ppi)
• File type: .jpg
• Upload via Dropbox (link provided upon selection)

REVIEW (Uploading Media to CaFÉ™): - https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-CaFÉ™/uploading-media
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPddZVJzTAE&t=3s

IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

Each work submitted must include the following information:

1. Title Listed exactly as it should appear on the artwork label.
2. Medium (60-character limit, including spaces)
   • This will appear on the artwork label and in the exhibition catalog.
3. Dimensions   Height × Width × Depth (in inches). IN THIS ORDER.
   • Do not use feet or metric measurements.
4. Artwork for Sale?   Yes or No
5. Price / Retail Value   A retail value must be provided, even if the work is not for sale.
   • This value cannot be changed after submission.
6. Year Completed
7. Primary Discipline Ceramics
8. Description Include any additional information you would like the jurors to know about the work.

Important:
All submissions must include a declared monetary value for insurance purposes.

Please proofread carefully. This information may be used for insurance documentation, publicity materials, exhibition labels, and the catalog.

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

Work will be reviewed based on submitted images and statements.

Final selections are contingent on the venue’s ability to install the work safely and professionally.

The artwork submitted must be available for the entirety of the exhibition. No substitutions or changes to the artwork will be accepted.

Selected artists will be notified via the CaFÉ™ System by August 14, 2026. Please check your spam folder before contacting NCECA.

SHIPPING, DELIVERY, AND RETURN OF ARTWORK

Artists are responsible for:

• Secure packing of artwork
• Arranging and paying for shipping and insurance (to and from the venue)
• Including a prepaid return shipping label and proof of shipment

Shipping can be costly—please research expenses in advance. NCECA cannot provide additional funding beyond what is laid out in the Shipping Reimbursement section.

Artwork must arrive at the venue February 22-26, 2027

Please note: NCECA, its agents, and representatives are not responsible for loss, theft, or damage. Artists may file claims with the insured venue or transit company as applicable.

If work is damaged during shipping, replacement work may not be accepted.

SHIPPING REIMBURSEMENT

NCECA will reimburse up to $400 per artist for shipping or transport.

• Ground shipping only (unless international shipping requires otherwise)
• Mileage reimbursement for hand delivery: $0.505 per mile
• Return shipping for sold work is the responsibility of the purchaser
• Rush fees are not reimbursable unless pre-approved
• Artists must retain and submit receipts for reimbursement

If multiple works by an artist are selected, the artist must:

• Obtain a combined shipping quote
• Request NCECA approval to increase the reimbursement cap based on the number of accepted works before signing an agreement

Note: This does not apply to a single entry consisting of multiple components.

Please do not contact the NCECA office to increase your shipping reimbursement unless you have more than one work accepted into the exhibition.

DOCUMENTING PACKING PROCESS

NCECA strongly recommends that artists document their packing process with photographs and brief written descriptions prior to sealing crates or boxes for shipment. This documentation may be necessary to support claims for damage incurred during transit.

RETURN OF UNSOLD WORK

Return shipping must be prepaid by the artist, who must be listed as the shipper of record.

At the close of the exhibition, the venue will repack works using the original crate or box. Artists are responsible for providing suitable, reusable packing materials; inadequate materials may result in additional repacking charges.

The venue cannot hold work after the exhibition closes. Artists must be available to receive the shipment or arrange an alternative in advance.

INSURANCE

The venue will insure works only while they are on its premises. Artists are responsible for insuring their work during transit to and from the venue.

All works must include a declared retail value, including those not offered for sale.

In the event of loss or damage, artists may be required to provide documentation supporting the declared value, such as evidence of comparable prior sales.

SALES

Artists may choose whether to offer their work for sale. However, all works must include a declared retail value for insurance purposes, regardless of sale status.

For works sold, artists will receive 50% of the sale price; the remaining 50% will be retained as commission by NCECA and the exhibition venue.

Shipping costs for purchased work are the responsibility of the collector and should be coordinated with the artist and the venue.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Participating artists agree to allow NCECA, the exhibition venue, and gallery visitors to photograph work while on display for educational and promotional purposes.

NCECA may retain images of accepted works and use them for promotional and reporting purposes, including on the NCECA website, social media, print publications, and electronic communications. Images may also be shared with news and arts and culture media outlets.

CATALOG

NCECA reserves the right to produce a color print, print-on-demand, and/or web-based catalog for the exhibition. The catalog may include an essay by the curator, along with statements and images of artwork by participating artists.

If a print or print-on-demand catalog is produced, each participating artist will receive one complimentary copy. Additional copies may be available for purchase.

CONFERENCE PASS AND MEMBERSHIP

Selected artists will receive a complimentary NCECA conference pass and one-year membership for the 2027 conference.

Artists who are current NCECA members will have their membership extended by one year.

Conference passes and memberships are non-transferable. The conference pass is valid only for the 2027 NCECA conference.

CALENDAR

Deadline:
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:59 pm MDT (no late entries) EXTENDED TO THURSDAY, JUNE 25 11:59PM

Notification:
By August 14, 2026

Loan Agreements Due:
Within 1 week of receipt

Delivery Window (Shipped & Hand-Delivered): February 22-26, 2027

Installation: Feb 26-28, 2027
Exhibition: March 5-April 17, 2027

CHARM, 1st Annual NCECA Conference in Baltimore, Maryland: March 10-13, 2027
Reception: Friday, March 12, 2027 6:00-9:00pm

Deinstallation: April 17-23, 2027
Return Shipping: April 17-30, 2027

Damage Claims:
Inspect work immediately upon return

Reimbursement Deadline:
May 15, 2027 (form provided at exhibition close)

If you experience technical issues, contact CaFÉ™ support at cafe@wearecreativewest.org

Please allow 2–3 hours for a response, especially during times of high email volume.

NCECA staff cannot provide technical assistance within the CaFÉ™ platform

When in doubt,

• Clear your Cache
• Close and reopen CaFÉ™
• Files should be .jpg
• Switch to a different browser.  Some people have switched to a different browser to upload their headshots.
• Contact cafe@westaf.org

The CaFÉ™ website is best viewed with the following desktop browsers:

Firefox: current version
Safari: current version
Chrome: current version

All work must be primarily ceramic. Mixed media works are eligible only when clay is the dominant material. Video works featuring clay or ceramics will also be considered.

Artists may submit no more than three (3) artworks with two (2) media files per artwork.

High-resolution images are required.

NCECA reserves the right to exclude any submissions with incomplete answers to questions.

Height × Width × Depth (in inches). Do not use feet or metric measurements.

A retail value must be provided, even if the work is not for sale.  This value cannot be changed after submission.

Works previously exhibited in an NCECA exhibition are not eligible.

The same work may not be submitted to more than one 2027 NCECA exhibition call.

By submitting an entry to this call, artists confirm that they have researched the costs and will be prepared to to pay for round-trip shipping and include a return shipping label when they ship their work. 

Applicants must be 18 or older.

NCECA membership is not required, but members receive complimentary entry.

Entry Fees: Member: $0; Non-member: $50

Membership Verification
Membership status will be verified. Check your account or contact support@nceca.net.
Join or renew: https://nceca.net/members