Exploring the potential of ceramics at the 2027 Mino exhibition
The 14th International Ceramics Exhibition Mino invites ceramic artists, independent studios, craftspeople and businesses from all countries, including Morocco, to respond to the theme “The Potential of Ceramics.” Approximately 200 works will be selected for exhibition at Ceramic Park MINO, Tajimi, Japan, from 8 October to 7 November 2027. No nationality or general age restriction applies.
Awards and what they mean
The Grand Prix is JPY 5,000,000, alongside a JPY 2,000,000 Gold Award, JPY 1,000,000 Silver Awards, JPY 500,000 Bronze Awards and JPY 100,000 Special Judge's Awards. Two Sakazaki Shigeo Awards, each worth JPY 500,000, recognise individual artists aged 40 or younger. The organiser covers return travel and accommodation for the Grand Prix winner to attend the ceremony; similar attendance funding is not guaranteed to everyone selected. These are competitive prizes, not general project-production grants.
Art and design categories
Ceramic Arts focuses on expressive and innovative ceramics. Ceramics Design includes a Factory Field for functional production entered by a company and a Studio Field for independent studio makers or collectives. Works must be primarily ceramic, artist-made, created on or after 1 February 2024, and not already selected by another public competition. Size guidelines include 4 m² footprint, 4 m height and 100 kg per component. Applicants may submit up to three entries per category, without entering the same work twice.Free online application documents
The entry is free, in English or Japanese via the official online portal. Register the applicant, then provide the work title, dimensions, media and concept description within 800 characters. Upload three JPEG images per work, each no larger than 4 MB: one frontal view and two other perspectives. A personal headshot or company logo may also be required. The first two selection rounds use images.
Shipping and museum acquisition terms
Only after passing the second round do artists need to ship physical works to Japan for final judging in July 2027. Applicants must budget carefully for international shipping, customs and insurance, normally their own responsibility. Grand Prix and Gold Award winning works are donated to the museum's collection, a key condition to consider before entering.
Deadline: 29 January 2027 at 17:00 Japan Standard Time. [Official competition](https://www.icfmino.com/en/iccm-en) · [English application rules](https://www.icfmino.com/en/iccm-en/procedures-en) · [Other art awards](https://culturama.ma/opportunites).
*Image: Gifu contemporary ceramics museum gallery, contextual image rather than an official Mino 2027 competition graphic.*