2026 UPCOMING BOARD NOMINATIONS
Deadline September 17, 2025, 11:59PM (Eastern)

2026 Board Nominations

2024 Coalescence Conference, Meet the Board Candidates, Richmond, Virginia

2026 UPCOMING BOARD NOMINATIONS
POSITION OPENINGS AND DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Deadline September 17, 2025, 11:59PM (Eastern)

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) is now accepting Board of Directors nominations for terms beginning following the 2026 conference in Detroit, Michigan!

NCECA seeks individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of the organization and the field. The Board is responsible for all financial and policy matters related to NCECA, as well as promoting excellence in teaching and learning, community building, creative practice, scholarship, curation, and criticism. NCECA’s Board also represents and advocates for the membership regarding current issues affecting the ceramic arts and education.

Nominations and/or self-nominations must include the following:

  • Nominee name, affiliation, and e-mail address

  • Nominator name, affiliation, and e-mail address (if different from nominee)

  • Nominee résumé/CV

  • Nominee statement of interest (250 words maximum)

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts is committed to fostering a diverse leadership team to guide the organization in accordance with its strategic planning, mission, and bylaws. 

Two distinct positions, Director at Large (2026–2029) and Student Director at Large (2026–2028), will open in Spring 2026. These positions will be elected through a ballot of the membership.

Additionally, NCECA seeks nominations for Secretary (2026–2029) and Steward of the Board (2026–2028).

NCECA’s Governance Committee will review candidates and make recommendations to the board of directors for this role. Recommended candidates must be confirmed by a ⅔ majority vote of the Board of Directors.

NCECA invites its membership to review the process and roles and responsibilities below. If you are interested in becoming a candidate for one of these positions, please submit a nomination form by  September 17, 2025,11:59PM (Eastern).

  • NCECA’s Nominations Committee will assess candidate submissions and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. Reviewed candidates will be presented and discussed during a future meeting of NCECA's Board of Directors.

    Membership Elected Board Members:
    NCECA’s bylaws require that the board ratify and present at least two nominees for Director at Large to stand for election by the membership in accordance.

    • Candidates for Student Director at Large will not be subject to board ratification prior to standing for election by the membership, but will be reviewed by the nominations committee to ensure candidates meet the qualifications for the board position.

    • Videos, Bios, and Headshots: Membership Elected Board Candidates will be required to provide a brief video that will be hosted on the Watch NCECA YouTube channel and made accessible on the organization’s website. These video messages will enable members to consider candidates’ visions and qualifications for elected service. Brief bios and headshots of the candidates will also be required and posted.

    • Newly elected board members are strongly encouraged to be prepared to attend and participate in the open board meeting immediately following the close of the 2026 conference, which is focused on listening and communication rather than board actions.

    • All candidates who wish to be included in the e-ballot and considered for election must participate in the 2026 Annual conference. Candidates will be responsible for their own conference registration and any in-person travel expenses related to participation in the conference, during which the results of the ballot will be determined.

  • NCECA members are eligible to vote on Director at Large and Student Director at Large through an e-ballot process that will begin in February 2026 and remain open until 4:00PM (Eastern) on Friday, March 27, 2026.

    The results of the election will be announced during the closing ceremonies on the final day of the Annual Conference.

  • ALL NCECA Board Members must be at least 21 years of age, a member of NCECA, and be prepared to:

    • Promote and advance the NCECA’s purpose, mission, vision, and values.

    • Act ethically and objectively following guidelines for confidentiality and conflicts of interest. 

    • Serve the membership and field at large by maintaining an open and critical perspective on matters that come before the council.

    • Develop concepts and provide support for programming, opportunities, and services.

    • Participate in all board meetings during the term of service. Traveling in-person when safe to do so.*

    • Determine and develop NCECA policies within the limits of Bylaws.

    • Develop and make progress on strategic goals.

    • Identify potential nominees for service on the Board. 

    • Manage NCECA’s assets, including funds, property, and historical records.

    • All Board members are expected to make an annual personal monetary gift to NCECA.

    • Represent and speak on behalf of the Board when asked by officers or authorized person(s). 

    • Bring a sense of humor and camaraderie to board meetings and council functions. 

    • View NCECA’s Bylaws for specific language and details.


      *NCECA’s policy is to limit reimbursement for travel via coach airfare or equivalent.

OPEN BOARD POSITIONS ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Serves a three-year term

    Specific Duties:

    • Serves as a representative of the membership at large and advocates for NCECA.

    • Serves on and chairs committees and oversees special projects for NCECA as designated by the President or the Board.

    • May support and/or initiate special projects subject to the interests and skills of the individual with Board approval.

    • Encourages conference program proposals and actively reviews submissions.

    • Provides input on and is involved in direct implementation of NCECA’s annual conference focusing on Gallery Expo, participating in programming proposal review and selection, and other special projects as assigned.

    • Provides information for NCECA publications as needed.


      Desired qualifications:

    • Passion for the field of ceramics and NCECA.  

    • Previous participation in some aspects of NCECA programming.  

    • Ability to share and build upon creative ideas for NCECA programming.  

    • Ability to understand budgetary requirements of ongoing programs and initiatives, and manage and think critically about programming priorities.

  • Serves a two-year term
    Serves on committees and oversees special projects as designated by the President or the Board.

    Eligibility (in addition to previously listed in ALL BOARD MEMBERS ELIGIBILITY, ROLES, and RESPONSIBILITIES)
    Must be at least 21 years of age and enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited US-based institution for at least one complete year of the elected term.

    Specific Duties:

    • Serve NCECA’s membership by advocating for student concerns. 

    • Promote calls for conference and year-round student programming and student feedback programming.

    • Provide support and guidance for the NCECA Juried Student Exhibition (NJSE) in concert with the Exhibitions Director, including the following: Identifies qualified jurors, solicits donations of awards, represents NCECA, presents awards at the NJSE reception, and provides support to the venue as needed.

    • Coordinate student initiatives and programming by reviewing proposals, presenter, and feedback mentor qualifications.

    • Serve as SDAL representative on either the Governance Committee, Awards Committee, or Fellowships Committee, as assigned by the President.

    Desired Qualifications:

    • Energetic commitment to NCECA and the field of ceramics.  

    • Possess time-management skills necessary to successfully address duties to NCECA as well as personal responsibilities.  

    • Demonstrate ability and desire to communicate via electronic and social media methods to engage student audiences.  

    • Ability to contribute and build on creative and critical ideas about how to meaningfully serve and involve NCECA’s student membership.

  • Serves a two-year term
    The Steward of the Board shall assist the President and receive specific duties assigned by the President.  

    • Chairs the Governance Committee to identify candidates for future board service.

    • Serves on the Finance Committee and Executive Committee.

    • Substitute for and assist the President as necessary. 

    • Provide continuity on the Board. 

    • May serve as a liaison officer of the Council, representing the Council to other groups. 

    • Actively assists the Nominations Committee with future board member planning and recruitment, orientation of new board members, and conducts and reports on exit interviews with departing board members.

    • Prepares a slate of nominations for expiring Board positions in consultation with the Governance Committee and solicits additional nominations from the membership.

    • Actively participates in the council's development and fundraising efforts. 

    • Works with the Executive Director on the planning of annual Past Masters programming

    • Manages or contributes journal entries for regional awardees, NCECA Fellows of the 

    • Council, Honorary Members, Outstanding Achievement awardees, and Excellence in Teaching awardees

    • Works with the President and Executive Director on the planning and leadership of the annual 50 Friends gathering and the Multicultural Fellowship gathering.

    • Make a meaningful and significant financial contribution to the organization. 

    • Writes articles for the NCECA blog/website and e-news announcing opportunities and soliciting participation.

    • Act at the request of the President in any number of tasks. 

    • Participates in the Executive Director Annual Review


    The Steward of the Board shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be from time to time prescribed by the President and the Board of Directors.

  • Serves a three-year term (may be appointed to one additional term; identified through Governance Committee process and confirmed with ⅔-majority of Board)

    Specific Duties:

    • Serves on the Executive Committee, Finance Committee and Governance Committee. 

    • Acts as Secretary of State for the council, running and managing all elections.

    • Runs and manages all electronic votes of the Board between scheduled Board meetings.

    • Serves as the official archivist for the council.

    • Responsible for the Executive and Board meeting minutes, overseeing the transcription of all formal action of the Board of Directors and the Annual Members’ Meeting minutes.

    • Actively participates in the council's development and fundraising efforts.

    • Makes a personally sacrificial financial contribution to the organization.

    • Writes articles for the NCECA blog/website and e-news announcing opportunities and soliciting participation

    • Updates NCECA written guidelines, including the Guide to the Board and our bylaws

    • Delivers approved minutes to NCECA staff for public inclusion on the NCECA website

    • Collects board and staff reports before each in-person board meeting, including the conference meetings, organizes, and shares these reports with the full board.

  • Any member of NCECA may submit an application for open board positions. Interested candidates must become a member or renew membership before submitting an application.

    Nominations for Board Positions must include the following and be submittedvia the online google form:

    • Nominee name and contact information

    • Nominee brief bio

    • Answer all questions on the google form. Prepare answers to the following questions:

      o What unique experience and perspective will you bring to the board and your role during your term?

      o How do you align yourself with NCECA’s mission, vision, and values?

      o What changes do you want to contribute to NCECA’s future?

      o What values and vision do you hope to bring to your service to NCECA and the field?

    • Nominee Resume (2-page limit, upload as pdf not to exceed 2MB)

    • Names and contact information for two current NCECA members who endorse the candidacy of this nominee. (Name, email, and relation to applicant and number of years known)

    • Nominator name and contact information – if peer-nominated.

  • NCECA will conduct the 2026 board elections by e-ballot! It is critical that members note that the implementation of NCECA’s e-balloting system has precipitated a number of changes in nominations and election procedures.  

    Individual members with active memberships prior to March 2026 will be invited to cast votes via e-ballot. The primary contact of Corporate, Institutional, and Gallery memberships will be the individual who is eligible to cast a vote on behalf of their entities.

    Those who purchase membership renewals at a later date but before the election’s conclusion and/or those who purchase a new membership onsite in Detroit, Michigan, will receive an email invitation to vote via e-ballot. During the conference, eligible members may use computers set up in the registration area of the Huntington Place Convention Center to cast their votes until 4:00PM (Eastern) Friday, March 27, 2026.


Interested in shaping NCECA’s future? Please complete this form to express your interest in board service. We encourage you to read the full Board Position Descriptions before submitting your form.

For questions about the Board Positions, please contact:

Patsy Cox, Board Steward, and Governance Committee Chair: boardsteward@nceca.net

For technical assistance, contact support@nceca.net at 303 828-2811 or 866 266-2322