The goal of the IAC is to stimulate friendship and communication between professionals in the field of ceramics in all countries. The IAC develops and encourages all forms of international cooperation to promote ceramics and to encourage and maintain production at the highest level of quality in all ceramic cultures.

Since its founding in 1952 by Henry J. Reynaud, IAC President until his death in 1964, the organization of the IAC has changed and evolved. Originally, it had a strong diplomatic background, merging representatives from national museums and cultural organizations. Ceramists where invited as consultants.

Today the Academy is the only association devoted to the medium of clay that functions on an international level. The IAC brings together ceramists, potters, artists, designers, authors, collectors, gallerists, conservators, restorers, curators as well as a panel of prestigious institutions.

Thanks to their respective forms of expertise, members of the IAC are regularly invited to participate in Congresses, residencies, to submit articles for publication as well as being asked to jury international exhibitions and competitions.

Carlo Zauli

More than 60 years after its founding, the IAC more than ever remains steadfast to its commitment to being at the center of an international community representing ceramics at the highest levels. Postulating the universality of ceramic culture as a basic value, the IAC continues to foster dialogue between cultures to ensure the continued appreciation of all kinds of ceramics.

Activity

Biennially, the IAC organises an international Congress which includes a conference focused on a specific theme, national and international exhibitions, and continued support of private initiatives by galleries and other cultural venues.  Thanks to the quality and the representative character of its members, the IAC Congress stimulates cultural activities in the host country and promotes new relationships

between institutions, contributing in manifest ways to the development of the necessary synergies for the promotion of ceramic art.

In addition, since 2009, the IAC has organised in the intervening years a conference cycle called “IAC day”, taking place in the Musée Ariana in Geneva.

The biannual publication of a Bulletin informs the members about the projects and activities of the IAC. Also, an exhibition catalogue of the members is published at each Congress. In 1973, the IAC initiated a documentary archive center at Musée Ariana, which offers vast information on contemporary ceramics. These archives are constantly enriched by catalogues, books and reviews submitted by members.

In 2015, the IAC presents itself in a new light, with a logo unifying its two official languages and a website intended to offer a dynamic platform to the ceramic world.

An editorial section is planned for this website which will offer different views on an art which has continued to change and grow throughout its long history.

The election of new members takes place every second year. Recently, attention was given to countries whose ceramic culture is not yet represented at the IAC. Today, the IAC consists of over 950 members, representing 78 countries from all continents.

Since 1958, the IAC has been affiliated with UNESCO, first on a consulting basis and then, since 2001, as an official partner in the cultural sector. The IAC take this partnership seriously and wishes to contribute to meet the challenges of this important organization recognizing the scientific, educational and cultural issues of its member countries.