
Minnesota New Institute for Ceramic Education
Now entering its seventh year, MN NICE is a rigorous program developed in collaboration with Program Head Ursula Hargens. MN NICE provides personalized professional development for artists who are serious about taking the next step in their ceramic evolution. The program is designed to respond to the changing needs of emerging makers with high-level training and mentorship in ceramic materials, history and theory, and professional practice. Through innovative instruction and individual mentorship, artists build skills, knowledge, and insight.
MN NICE includes weekly intensives as well as artist lectures, gallery tours, and studio visits with established artists to take advantage of the rich ceramic resources throughout the Twin Cities. The program strives to support emerging artists both artistically and professionally.
MN NICE participants meet with Affiliated Artists for individual studio visits. Affiliated Artists are also involved in various capacities throughout the year, serving as guest critics, providing studio tours, lecturing on material science, and demonstrating. Participating Affiliate Artists include:, Linda Christianson, Joel Froehle, Mike Helke, Kate Maury, Emily Murphy Bicking, Heather Nameth Bren, Steven Rolf, and Todd Shanafelt
Participants have contact with many visiting artists through NCC’s McKnight Ceramic Artist Residency and exhibitions programs. Visiting artists are often available to meet individually or can present to the larger group. Past visitors have included: Claudia Alvarez, Derek Au, Jessica Brandl, Joan Bruneau, Pattie Chalmers, Kathryn Finnerty, Rebecca Hutchinson, Eva Kwong, Forrest Lesch-Middelton, Rory MacDonald, Peter Morgan, Amy Santoferraro, Andy Shaw, and Bobby Silverman.
Details
The program consists of three 8-week blocks, beginning in September and ending in May. During each block, the group meets for weekly seminars and visits to museums, galleries, artist studios, and lectures. Throughout the year, participants have individual coaching sessions with leading professionals in the field, helping them to focus their research and development of work. The program culminates with the submission of a portfolio and a group exhibition in NCC’s Emily Galusha Gallery.
MN NICE Alumni

Clarice Allgood
Adult Education
Fogelberg Fellow 2020
MN NICE Alum 2019

Vered Binyamini
MN NICE Alum 2015

Chris Bond
MN NICE Alum 2019

Jamie Brogdon
MN NICE Alum 2016

Logan Chyla
MN NICE Alum 2018

Matthew Cawley
MN NICE Alum 2017

Amy Lee Cass
MN NICE Alum 2016

Shelli Burns
MN NICE Alum 2019

Peter D’Ascoli
MN NICE Alum 2018

Becky David
MN NICE Alum 2018

Susan Feigenbaum
Jerome Project Grant 2017
MN NICE Alum 2016

Elspeth Fisher
MN NICE Alum 2016

Margaret Gavin-Hanner
MN NICE Alum 2018

Carol Elizabeth Hanson
MN NICE Alum 2017

Juss Heinsalu
MN NICE Alum 2015

Audrey Jellison
MN NICE Alum 2017

Nicholas Kosack
MN NICE Alum 2019

Dawn Malcolm
MN NICE Alum 2015

Michaela Maupin
MN NICE Alum 2018

Risa Nishiguchi
MN NICE Alum 2018
Adult Education
Outreach

Polonia Odahara Novack
MN NICE Alum 2016

Jamie Parrish
MN NICE Alum 2019

Erin Parker
MN NICE Alum 2017

Robyn Peterson
MN NICE Alum 2015

Marjorie Pitz
MN NICE Alum 2017

Andrew Rivera
Adult Education
MN NICE Alum 2018

Denise Rouleau
MN NICE Alum 2015

Brenda Ryan
MN NICE Alum 2016

Kathryn Schroeder
MN NICE Alum 2017

Sue Schweitzer
MN NICE Alum 2018

Kate Smith
MN NICE Alum 2015

Phil Smith
MN NICE Alum 2015

Heather Tietz
MN NICE Alum 2017

Joan Vande Kamp
MN NICE Alum 2019

Jenny Weber
Adult Education
MN NICE Alum 2018