Stepping Up, the 14th Australian Ceramics Triennale, begins on Wednesday, July 9.

It's the first time Canberra has hosted the event since 1996.

Although the conference only runs for three days, more than 35 exhibitions are taking place across the capital and beyond in July, to coincide with it.

As well as gallery exhibitions, the triennale's chairwoman, Craft ACT chief executive and artistic director Avi Amesbury, said the public program would include a market place at the National Gallery of Australia on Sunday, July 12, and many pop-up shows.

"A lot will be in the shop fronts of Lonsdale Street, that's great to be able to engage with the business community," she said.

Although society and the art world has been swept up by technological change, Ms Amesbury said there was a role for ceramics and the ancient craft was evolving with practices like 3D printing.

"There are the arts objects and also the innovation and research of how it's used as a material in the broader community," she said.

Despite the changes, Ms Amesbury said the demand for handmade pieces was also growing as a pushback to consumerism.

"There's been a real swing back to the handmade," Ms Amesbury said.

"With things getting more difficult financially, people revalue things handmade, they last longer and it's supporting local."

Ms Amesbury said the shift would be discussed as part of the conference's three themes: the changing world, ceramicists' role in the future, and making money.

Keynote speakers for the conference from around the world include art historians, sellers and practitioners who will discuss everything from the impact of new technology on ceramics education to effective marketing.

As of last week, more than 300 people from across Australia had registered for the event and more were expected.

"We've working on this for more than two years to bring the program together," Ms Amesbury said.

To cap off the triennale, the National Gallery of Australia will host a market place in Gandel Hall on Sunday, July 12, from 11am to 4pm. Visitors will be able to speak to and purchase from more than 30 ceramicists including Janet DeBoos, DeMaine Pottery, Mollie Bosworth and Sandra Bowkett.

Exhibitions will range from established artists like Janet DeBoos at Craft ACT's Craft and Design Centre to emerging artists experimenting with the craft at the M16 Artspace.

Others will focus on groups of ceramicists such as, Victorians Stepping Up at the Belconnen Arts Centre and Indigenous artists in the Yangupala Tjuta Waakarinyi exhibition at the National Botanic Gardens.

Craft ACT is managing the triennale in partnership with the Australian National University, Strathnairn Arts, Canberra Potters' Society and the Australian Ceramics Association.

For more information on the triennale and exhibitions visit: www.australianceramicstriennale.com.au.