Northern Ceramic Society

Established in 1972 for the study of British ceramics and the history and heritage of the British ceramics industry, the NCS is a UK Registered Charity, no 287630. The programme of NCS events is focused on specialist study, research, learning/teaching and sharing information about objects, collections, archives and history, archaeology and industrial heritage relating to British ceramics from about 1600 onwards. Activities include publication, lectures, hands-on workshops, residential seminars, site and collection visits, exhibitions and collaborative projects. The  developing website has specialist research resources not available elsewhere.

Established by a group of enthusiasts, museum curatorial staff and university staff in the West Midlands and North West, membership is now national and international and includes museum curators, collectors, archaeologists, academics, heritage professionals and people in the antiques trade who engage with the publications and events programme for learning and information exchange.

The NCS is affiliated and/or collaborates with other SSNs in related fields: Contemporary Studio Ceramics, Medieval Pottery Research Group, Society of Decorative Art Collections, Industrial Heritage Network. The Society collaborates with national and regional museum services, many of which hold institutional membership.

The NCS publishes a regular Newsletter and Journal and produces occasional publications by members. Match-funded collaborative projects include museum exhibitions in Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Liverpool and Yorkshire and online. Bursaries are offered for seminar attendance. Learning/teaching activities, research resources and support for emerging professionals and enthusiasts are current target areas for further development.