Ceramics
Offering one of the few programs that focuses on experimental, contemporary ceramics, both traditional and innovative processes and technologies are embraced. Students are encouraged to move fluidly across media, materials, and methods to create bold work that subverts the ordinary.
Technique meets innovation
Our approach draws on a wealth of technical and cultural traditions—from clay, sculpture, and studio pottery to hightech, industrial applications across a wide range of media. This provides a springboard for creating work that is both highly personal and urgently contemporary. Work often incorporates multidisciplinary elements, including installations, mixed media, performance, time arts, and community practices.
Freedom to explore
Students individualize their ceramics study with courses across departments—from Architecture to Fiber and Material Studies to Performance, adding a rich dimension of influences to inform their work. Students participate in seminars along with peers in the Sculpture department to widen their perspectives and provide for collaboration. Critiques with peers, panels of faculty, and visiting artists provide essential feedback to inform refinement and growth.
For more information on the program and application requirements, please visit
World-class resources
Students have access to a broad array of facilities and resources, including free bulk materials, allowing unlimited experimentation. The Art Institute of Chicago’s collections of ceramics, sculpture, architectural ornamentation, painting, and more provide an exceptionally diverse resource.
Learning beyond the classroom
The city of Chicago offers a wealth of ceramics resources, from its architectural facades to the extensive holdings of its art institutions and the artists who live here. You’ll find an ever-expanding array of ceramic-based works in galleries and museums throughout the city.
Facilities
Ceramics students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, including:
• Individual graduate studios
• Clay and glaze mixers
• Extruder, slab roller, and wheels
• Free bulk materials (clay, slip, and glazes)
• Mold-making facilities
• Fully equipped casting facilities
• 18 gas and electric kilns
• Three state-of-the-art Blaauw computer-automated gas kilns
• Two departmental installation/gallery spaces
• Ceramic color decal printer
• Walk-in spray booth
• 3D Potterbot ceramic printer
• Cold working equipment: lapping machine, water feed drill press with diamond coring bits, large diamond brick wet saw, diamond tile wet saw
