Baltimore Clayworks is the region's only cultural institution dedicated solely to the ceramic arts. Founded by nine artists in 1980, Clayworks is a mid-sized cultural organization, attentive to its neighborhood, possessing a national and international reputation for artistic excellence, artists' support, and community involvement. The mission of Baltimore Clayworks is to develop, sustain, and promote an artist-centered community that provides outstanding educational, artistic, and collaborative programs in the ceramic arts. Its core values are artist-centeredness, excellence, inclusivity, integrity, and joy.