Since 1987, the City of Carouge (Geneva, Switzerland) has organised a contemporary ceramics competition every two years, focusing on the creation of works based on a set theme. Over the years, this competition has become an important meeting place for an ever-growing number of artists from all over the world.
Applications are now open for the 2026 International Ceramics Competition. The works selected will be exhibited in the Musée de Carouge from 19 September to 29 .November 2026
The Movement
Clay has been used as a material since prehistoric times and, despite the socio-cultural changes that have taken place over the centuries, ceramics have been able to reinvent themselves by continually pushing the boundaries of the material and making it possible to create not only utilitarian objects but also artistic sculptures.
This constant change may be reflected in the 2026 theme of the International Ceramics Competition, namely movement.
The very process of creating a ceramic piece involves movement, since the clay is folded, rolled, transformed or even turned. This theme will allow Artists to freeze movement in the material. The reflection of light on the surface by certain glazes or finishes, the texture or even the shape may evoke movement. The subject may be interpreted in both a figurative and a conceptual sense, promising diverse and varied artistic proposals.
A jury made up of leading figures from the world of art and ceramics, as well as a representative of swissceramics – Swiss Ceramics Association and a representative of the Bruckner Foundation for the Promotion of Ceramics, under the chairmanship of Carouge’s administrative councillor responsible for culture, will examine all the entries and select a number of candidates.
The competition includes an exhibition and a catalogue of all the works selected by the jury, which awards the top three prizes.
Five prizes are awarded:
- First Prize, in the amount of 10’000 Swiss francs;
- Prize sponsored by the Bruckner Foundation for the Promotion of Ceramics, in the amount of 2’000 Swiss francs;
- Prize sponsored by swissceramics (Swiss Ceramics Association), in the amount of 1’000 Swiss francs;
- Prize of the Audience, sponsored by the Carouge Museum, worth 800 Swiss francs;
- Schools Prize, sponsored by the Carouge Museum, worth 500 Swiss francs.
The competition is open to artists working with ceramics.
The rules and entry form (in English, French, German and Italian) are available online on website (www.carouge.ch/cic).
All correspondence relating to the competition should be sent by e-mail to the following address: cic@carouge.ch
Deadline: December 31, 2025