This program is a series of collaborations through symposiums, conferences, workshops, exhibitions and lectures that seek to address issues important to artists, art and society with the goal of strengthening the interface between contemporary visual arts and contemporary culture.

At Eagleheart, artists and those in related disciplines have an opportunity to gather in smaller symposium formats to consider issues important to the field of visual art and its place in contemporary society. These seminars sometimes focus on very specific aspects of an art field, and sometimes on interdisciplinary topics of importance in the broader field of visual expression and writing. Many of the attendees are internationally recognized participants with large spheres of influence where the resulting effects of the seminar content subsequently affect other artists, students, publications and the public. Our goal is to present one larger signature event each year as well, including the publication of the dialogues and the development of an ongoing network of discussion to support and continue the momentum.

To date programs have focused on the individual artists' sources of inspiration, education in the arts, criticism in the arts,and the relationships of art to society. In August 2004, artists came together to consider expanding personal work and sources of inspiration. In October 2004 another gathering centered on the state of public education in the arts and strategies to expand these programs.  In February 2005 the focus was on the role and shape of criticism and critical writing in the arts. In June 2005 the Eagleheart Symposium on "Raku:Origins, Impact and Contemporary Expression" was held. It's works and dialogues continue to tour.   Future programs will continue to develop significant ways of addressing these and additional issues. Plans are currently being made for a symposium entitled, "Shaping a New Criticism", to be held in September 2006 with publication of deliberations to follow.   

The 2006-2007 Symposiums will be concerned with defining and developing a new critical framework, the criticism of individual work, the relationship of education to criticism, publishing and criticism, and criticism as communication to society as a whole.

A collaborative international workshop on the order of 2005's Raku Summit, is also planned to address the place of functional ceramics in contemporary society. It will include an editorialized catalogue and touring exhibition of contemporary functional ceramics.

The 2006 Workshops address issues regarding the expansion of individual boundaries, the exploration of new creative territories, and the re-development of existing personal practices.

Although Eagleheart is a ceramics based facility, it not only has additional facilities for other art mediums, its issues and mission concern the interface of all the arts and society, and at Eagleheart we will continue to develop programs that are multi-dimensional.

Signature Event for Fall 2006
Developing Criticism and Critical Writing in the Ceramic Arts 
A symposium of artists, scholars and writers. This gathering is dedicated to laying the foundation for a viable critical practice in the field of ceramics and developing strategies for implementation and continuity. This will be followed by a two-day conference open to the public.

Signature Event for 2007
The Functional Vessel: strategies for considering the place of functional ceramics and the studio potter in contemporary society
A working invitational symposium of mature studio functional potters. It will be followed by a workshop/conference open to the public with demonstrations and discussions regarding functional ceramics and its place in today's society.

Also in 2006-2007
The Publication of a Periodical Review
Dedicated to critical writing and discussion in ceramics. This is a much needed peer reviewed journal intended as a vehicle for the development of criticism in ceramics.

More information on Previous Events:
NCECA 2006 Panel: "Exploring a New Criticism"
"Raku:Origins, Impact and Contemporary Expression"

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