Learn to approach ceramics through an expansive and critical lens. Bring an open mind about what it means to be an artist now.
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia offers an unmatched combination of creative exploration and experimental use of technology and materials. Here, you enjoy interdisciplinary collaboration and professional preparation as an artist working in ceramics.
Tyler offers an MFA in ceramics. Learn more about furthering your education here.
Tyler’s BFA in ceramics creates continuous opportunities for creative exploration and personal growth — as an artist, a professional in the arts and a well-rounded person in the world.
Your faculty-mentors all work as practicing artists, so they understand where you stand now and show you what’s possible. You also get to work side-by-side with ceramics MFA students inside one of the biggest ceramics studios in the country. You see how more experienced students handle art school and their work. In turn, they gain fresh perspectives from you too.
Simply put, Tyler gives you the studio space and a welcoming community to challenge you artistically, technically and professionally.
Your wildest dreams may not measure up to reality because you don’t know what you can do until you try.
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture features its own admissions team, who can provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your educational and career goals.
Tyler's Ceramics BFA curriculum helps you explore the discipline’s many forms and gain diverse perspectives on processes. The faculty encourage all types of work — from sculptural and vessel to community-based collaboration and interdisciplinary exploration.
Due to the complexity of materials and processes, you also study relevant aspects of chemistry, technology, and kiln design and construction that affect your work.
Plus, Philadelphia’s longstanding and well-connected clay culture and vibrant visual art scene adds energy, inspiration and opportunities for internships and career exploration.
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture and the Fox School of Business Management collaborate to offer this undergraduate certificate in Creative Entrepreneurship for artists and other creatives who want to add business skills too.
All of Tyler’s studio art BFA degrees give you the option to add an art education concentration (K-12). It requires an additional 32 credit hours in education, art education and specified liberal arts courses. Plan to spend 5 years completing all BFA degree requirements and the art education concentration curriculum — for a total of 155 credits.
The art education certification qualifies you to sit for the exams required to earn Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in Art (K-12).
In addition to learning core studio art practice skills and gaining technical fluency with many ceramics methods, Tyler’s BFA degree teaches you many transferable skills that make you a creative and clear-headed professional.
At Tyler, your coursework transforms you into a true artist-scholar with both exceptional technical skills and many transferable skills that add value and professionalism to your career prep. Our ceramics graduates pursue an MFA or other graduate degree and / or enter a variety of fields.
Tyler’s ceramics program fosters an environment that mirrors what it’s like to be a professional, working artist.
Work inside one of the biggest ceramics studios in the country (around 10,000 square feet)! Tyler gives you access to a wide range of wheels, kilns, glazes and more.
Tyler helps you find optional internships such as with The Clay Studio, Moravian Tile Works and local artists in or near Philadelphia.
Many Tyler ceramics students attend the annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference each year. Great networking!
The ceramics community at Tyler hosts visiting artists from the Philadelphia region and beyond, giving you keen insights into artists and methods.
Gather around an open fire with your faculty-mentors, classmates and regional artists for special wood firing and pit firing events. Feel a strong sense of community as you learn about the wilder side of firing clay.
The Tyler Ceramics Collective is a student-run organization devoted to collaborative projects and funding visiting artists. Share skills, support and camaraderie with your peers, and educate the broader community about ceramic art.
Get a glimpse into the work of Tyler’s ceramics students. Let us challenge any preconceptions about what’s possible with clay. Dissect the techniques, fresh ideas and messaging fused into their ceramics. Feel inspired.
Kyra Jackson Student
MA in Art History
Bradford Davis Student
Ping Zhong Student
Kedrick McKenzie Adjunct Faculty
Tim Carr Student
Muning Zhang Student
Dive deeper into the innovative projects and diverse talents of our students. Discover a wider range of creative work, from cutting-edge designs to thought-provoking concepts, and see how our Tyler creative's are shaping the world around them.
Gain insights into how this degree program challenges you to grow as an artist and prepares you for professional practice. Let our faculty and alumni explain the benefits of choosing Tyler for your BFA.
Tyler attracts creative leaders and change-makers to support your generation of ceramics artists. Meet your faculty-mentors and learn more about their areas of expertise and passions.
Read the latest news from our inspiring community of working artists / faculty, current students and successful alumni.
Join our online community and follow along with our Instagram posts. See photos and learn more about what’s happening in ceramics at Tyler. Don’t miss the big reveals from our latest pit firing!
In addition to Tyler’s specialized admissions team, you’re welcome to contact the ceramics program leadership.
Associate Professor and Program Head of Ceramics
