About us
Our vision: Making change through clay.
Our mission: To develop, sustain and expand innovative ceramics practice and improve lives together with artists and creative communities.
BCB explores bold and significant ways of working through its year-round programme, addressing local priorities and needs. Wellbeing and empowerment are key aims, reflecting BCB’s values of inclusivity, connection, collaboration and accountability.
BCB has been delivering its work from our base in Stoke-on-Trent for over 15 years. We are keen advocates for the city of Stoke-on-Trent and proud of how ceramics and creativity are central to the city’s history and its future. We recognise that Stoke-on-Trent and its residents face challenges and we believe that arts engagement can contribute to addressing these. BCB delivers an engaging year-round programme of artist commissions, education and community projects, which respond to the priorities for our city. These feed into a biennial showcase of contemporary ceramics that takes place in Stoke-on-Trent.
About Ceramic Cities Exchange
This programme supports young artists ages 18–24 facing economic barriers. It offers a brilliant opportunity to develop creative networks, gain international exposure, and explore how ceramics heritage informs contemporary practice. Ceramic Cities Exchange is a partnership between Stoke-on-Trent and Bolesławiec in Poland. It includes a free digital exchange for up to 12 young artists to connect with fellow artists, share cultural insights, and virtually explore each city.
After the Digital Exchange, a selection process will be conducted in May 2025 to select six artists to take part in a week-long, fully funded creative exchange in Poland from 14-20 August 2025. These artists will visit ceramic collections, factories and studios in Bolesławiec. Participating artists will have the opportunity to create new work, which will then be exhibited at the Ceramics Museum of Bolesławiec.
Artists will be selected based on the following key qualities, which we will assess via an informal interview process and also hope to see demonstrated throughout the Digital Exchange:
- Commitment to their artistic practice
- Collaboration and teamwork skills
- Enthusiasm for developing and refining creative skills
- Pride in their local heritage
- Curiosity about ceramic traditions in other places
Ceramic Cities Exchange is supported by the British Council under the UK/Poland Season 2025, along with the Polish Cultural Institute in London and the Polania Aid Foundation Trust.
Who can apply for the Digital Exchange?
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Are aged 18–24
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Live in Stoke-on-Trent
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Have experience or skills in ceramics
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Can commit to a 7-month programme, largely taking place in early evenings and weekends and possibly including travel to Poland for one week from 14- 20 August 2025
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Were raised in a low-income household. For example, if you were entitled to free school meals.
Why apply?
- Gain international experience and collaborate with artists from Poland
- Develop your creative confidence and networks
- Be part of a globally significant ceramics project
- Have your work exhibited at prestigious venues
How to apply
To apply, please answer the four questions below by 10am, Wednesday 19 March 2025. You may do this in any type of digital format such as Word or PowerPoint. If you prefer, you can also choose to answer these questions in a video recording.
Application questions:
- If you could create a ceramic piece that represents Stoke-on-Trent, what would it look like, and why? (You may also provide visual examples to help your explanation)
- Artists often draw inspiration from unexpected places. Can you share an experience, memory, or challenge that has influenced your ceramic work? (You may also provide visual examples to help your explanation)
- This programme requires dedication over several months, including travel. How do you see this opportunity fitting into your personal and artistic growth over the next year?
- The exchange is about learning, but also about sharing. What unique perspective, technique, or story do you hope to bring to the artists in Poland?
Address your application to Emily Campbell, Learning & Participation Manager, and send via email to: emily@britishceramicsbiennial.com with ‘BCB Ceramic Cities Exchange’ in the subject line.
If you would prefer to provide a video recording or any visual material but don’t have access to relevant equipment, then please contact us through the email provided and we can arrange a meeting to assist you with this.
If you have any questions on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact Emily by email: emily@britishceramicsbiennial.com or calling the BCB office: 01782 294634
Timings
Additional information
BCB seeks to provide opportunities via this programme for artists who may otherwise face barriers to accessing international cultural programmes. BCB can provide some financial and administrative support if artists selected for the exchange trip to Poland do not currently hold a passport. We do require participants to have UK resident status and be eligible to hold a British passport. Trip travel bookings and accommodation will be arranged by BCB and support staff will be provided for the trip to Poland. We understand that participants may not be experienced with international travel and BCB can provide some support in this capacity. However, we require participating artists to be able to act with appropriate cultural sensitivity, courtesy and independence. If you have any questions regarding support to access this programme, please contact us via email (emily@britishceramicsbiennial.com) or telephone (01782 294634) to arrange an informal discussion.
