Comparative Analysis

The analysis of the country reports highlights both Strengths and Weaknesses among Italy, Greece, Ireland, Cy- prus, and Poland in terms of their ceramic participation and culture.

In brief, each country has its strengths and weaknesses in the field of ceramics. Italy stands out with its diverse participation and strong cultural preservation, while Greece faces challenges in professional recognition. Ireland offers various educational pathways, and Cyprus has a rich historical tradition but limited formal education. Po- land shows popularity among specific demographic groups but lacks formal qualifications and vocational train- ing. Further research and data collection would be valuable to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the ceramic discipline in each country.

Table 1. Strengths and Weaknesses by countries

	STRENGTHS:	WEAKNESSES
ITALY	§ Strong interest and diverse participation in the ceramic discipline, particularly among the age group of 26-45. § Deep appreciation for cultural traditions and preservation of traditional ceramic products. § Well-developed ceramic system with numer- ous training paths and technical-practical teaching. § Opportunities for professional development and occupations in teaching, collaboration with NGOs, and cultural diversity promotion.	§ Challenges for young ceramists entering the labour market, including high costs and the need for familial connections. § Relatively low employment rate for ceramists who complete a full training programme. § Industry challenges such as high equipment costs and inflation affecting profitability and employment opportunities.
GREECE	§ Increasing interest in ceramics, particularly among adults. § Active ceramics activity in the metropolitan area of Athens and the province, with orga- nized workshops, courses, and festivals. § Rich tradition and cultural significance of ce- ramics in Greece. § Various professional bodies and associations supporting ceramists and potters.	§ Limited professional rights and legislative coverage for potter-ceramists in Greece. § Lack of formal qualifications and limited ac- cess to modern technology and know-how practices. § Competition from mass-produced, imported items in the tourist art market. § ​
IRELAND	§ Various educational options for individuals in- terested in ceramics, including art schools, uni- versities, community colleges, and apprentice- ships. § Rich ceramic culture and heritage in Ireland, with traditions passed on to future genera- tions. § Opportunities for professional development in the vocational education and training (VET) sphere.	§ Lack of specific information on the extent of ceramic participation in Ireland. § Need for more accurate employment rate data for ceramists who complete a full train- ing programme.

EU Policies promoting Ceramic Artwork Training in Europe

Ceramic artwork has a rich history in Europe and continues to be a vibrant and diverse artistic discipline. Recog- nizing the cultural and economic value of ceramics, the European Union (EU) has implemented strategic policies to promote and support the training and development of ceramic artists across the continent. This article ex- plores the key EU policies that aim to enhance ceramic artwork training in Europe, fostering creativity, innova- tion, and professional growth.

The EU has recognised the importance of promoting and supporting ceramic artwork training in Europe through strategic policies and funding programmes. The Creative Europe Programme, Erasmus+, European Qualifica- tions Framework, and European Social Fund are key initiatives that facilitate the training and development of ceramic artists, foster cross-cultural exchange, and enhance the professionalization of the field. By investing in ceramic artwork training, the EU aims to preserve cultural heritage, stimulate creativity and innovation, and contribute to the growth of the cultural and creative sectors in Europe.

1. Erasmus+ Programme¹: The Erasmus+ Programme is a flagship EU initiative in the field of education, training, youth, and It promotes international cooperation and mobility, facilitating the exchange of students, teachers, and professionals across Europe. Through Erasmus+, ceramic art students and professionals can benefit from study abroad opportunities, internships, and training programmes in partner institutions or organizations. These exchanges provide exposure to different artistic traditions, techniques, and perspectives, enriching the training experience of ceramic artists.
2. Creative Europe Programme²: The Creative Europe Programme is an EU initiative that aims to support the cultural and creative sectors. Within this programme, the Culture sub-programme provides funding opportunities for projects that foster artistic excellence, innovation, and cross-border collaboration in various artistic fields, including Ceramic artists and organizations can apply for funding to sup- port training programmes, exhibitions, artist residencies, and cultural exchange projects, thereby pro- moting the training and development of ceramic artwork in Europe.
3. European Qualifications Framework (EQF)³: The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is a common reference framework that promotes transparency and comparability of qualifications across Europe. It allows for the recognition and transferability of qualifications between different countries and educa- tional systems. The EQF provides a basis for the development of qualifications in the ceramic artwork field, ensuring that training programmes meet certain quality standards and enable graduates to ac- quire the necessary skills and It facilitates the mobility of ceramic artists and encourages lifelong learning in the field.
4. European Social Fund (ESF)⁴: The European Social Fund (ESF) aims to improve employment and social inclusion in EU Member States. It provides financial support for projects and initiatives that enhance skills development, training, and employment opportunities. The ESF can be leveraged to fund ceramic artwork training programmes that target unemployed individuals, disadvantaged groups, or those seek- ing to upgrade their skills. By supporting access to quality training, the ESF contributes to the profes- sionalization and employability of ceramic artists.

Italy

 

Italy, including the regions of Sardinia and Sicily, has a vibrant ceramic discipline with diverse participation and a deep appreciation for cultural traditions. The well-developed ceramic system offers opportunities for profes- sional development, although entry into the labour market can be challenging for young ceramists. Establishing one's own business increases employment prospects.

The ceramic artistry in Italy holds significant cultural and economic value, contributing to the country's rich ar- tistic heritage.

Ceramic Participation and Culture: Italy, including the regions of Sardinia and Sicily, demonstrates a strong inter- est and diverse participation in the ceramic discipline. The age group of 26-45 shows the highest engagement, followed by young people aged 15-25 and the 66+ age group. Organizations working with special needs individ- uals also utilize ceramics for personal development. Italy's ceramic culture and traditions are deeply valued, with a belief in preserving these traditions. Local shops, festivals, and small businesses contribute to showcasing a rich array of traditional ceramic products. Sardinian ceramics, in particular, have gained recognition at the Eu- ropean and global levels. Sicily, with its history and influences from various civilizations, holds ceramics in high regard, with the craft considered unique and culturally significant in the region.

Characteristics of the Ceramic Making System: Italy has a well-developed ceramic system that offers numerous training paths for aspiring professionals in the craft sector. The educational programmes focus on technical- practical teaching, covering various techniques, materials, and decorative aspects of artistic ceramics. Ceramic workshops effectively communicate through websites and social media platforms, providing detailed infor- mation about available courses and highlighting national and regional traditions. While the system offers oppor- tunities for professional development, entering the labour market as a young ceramist can be challenging due to high costs and the need for familial connections within the industry.

Professional Development and Occupations: Ceramists in Italy have good opportunities for professional devel- opment, including becoming teachers and educators in schools, collaborating with youth centres, NGOs, and educational institutions. Collaboration is particularly evident in areas promoting social inclusion and cultural di- versity. The Ceramics Artisan Certificate, a formal qualification lasting two years, opens up opportunities for en- trepreneurship, teaching, and occupations in museums. After completing training programmes and obtaining professional recognition, ceramists often pursue occupations as entrepreneurs of art workshops, teachers, mu- seum curators, and employees in art shops. The most common professions associated with ceramics are listed in the ISTAT category of workers.

Employment Rate and Challenges: The employment rate of ceramists who complete a full training programme in Italy, including Sardinia and Sicily, is relatively low, with estimates of 30% and 25%, respectively. However, opening one's own business increases the employment rate to 70%. Many established Master Ceramists pro- vide support to young ceramists by allowing them to use their equipment and kilns, facilitating the production of artistic creations. The industry faces challenges such as high equipment costs and inflation, affecting profita- bility and employment opportunities. In Sicily, many workshops and laboratories are family-run, limiting employ- ment opportunities to family members.

Greece

[SIGMA – Tournis Symvouleftiki EE (Greece)]

The analysis highlights the growing interest in ceramics in Greece, the challenges faced by ceramists in terms of professional recognition and competitiveness, and the need for education and training to enhance skills and in- novation in the field.

Ceramic Participation and Culture: In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of students in ce- ramics departments, particularly adults. This growth is attributed to the general dynamic spread of ceramic art and the availability of ceramics courses in private workshops and schools.

The metropolitan area of Athens shows particularly active ceramics activity, with a recorded employment of 845 people in the manufacture of ceramic household goods and decorative items. Ceramics activity in the province is also significant, with art workshops, pottery courses, and ceramics festivals organized regularly. The Centre for the Study of Modern Ceramics in Athens plays a leading role in promoting modern ceramics and implements educational programmes for Special Schools and people with disabilities. The extent of participation by age group is not explicitly provided in the survey, but an interview with a Greek ceramist suggests a balance in terms of gender and varied ages among participants.

Characteristics of the Ceramic-Making System and Context: Ceramics in Greece has deep historical and mytho- logical roots, with a rich tradition and cultural significance. However, there are no established professional rights or substantial legislative coverage for the profession of potter-ceramists in Greece, despite its significant heritage. Obtaining a license is not required to practice pottery, but the operation of a professional workshop needs to be notified. Qualifications are not necessary, but possessing relevant qualifications can be advanta- geous. Several professional bodies and associations exist at the national level to support ceramists and potters. Information about ceramics is disseminated through printed materials, social media, blogs, and events/exhibi- tions. The survival of ceramics businesses faces challenges due to competition from mass-produced, imported items and the limitation of adding artistic value to works in the tourist art market.

Professional Development in VET Sphere: Greek ceramists face difficulties in following international changes due to a lack of education and access to modern technology and know-how practices. Education and training in various skills related to ceramics can contribute to the development of basic competencies, enhance workshop operations, improve competitiveness, and create new prospects for the profession. Limited communication within the ceramists' community and over-reliance on the tourist market have created challenges for modern and traditional Greek ceramics.

Formal Qualifications: The text does not mention any specific formal qualifications that may be obtained after mastering the ceramic art in Greece.

Occupations and Employment Rate: Ceramists are primarily employed in small businesses, often located in tour- ist areas, catering to art shops and the tourism sector. The employment rate of ceramists who complete a full training programme is not provided in the text, but the employment prospects for qualified and dedicated pot- ters-ceramists are considered positive, with opportunities for growth in various sectors.