The European Ceramic Workcentre (EKWC) is regarded widely as a world-leading organisation. A world-leader through its work as artist in residence centre where practice using the ceramic material is hosted, and a world-leader through its work as institution where the innovative use of this material in all areas of design and the visual arts is promoted. Though carrying an intrinsically global reach it is an institution rooted deeply in the very unique cultural history of the Netherlands, a fundamental factor in any discussion of its behaviour and one that is emphasised appropriately in this study.