Spotlight on Stoke-on-Trent – a centre of industry, innovation and artistry
In October, we announced the organisations offered funding through our 2023-26 Investment Programme, benefiting arts organisations, museums, and libraries in every corner of the Midlands - from Buxton to Bilston, Leicester to Ledbury, and Stoke-on-Trent to South Kesteven.
As part of our new National Portfolio 2022-26, we want more people in more places have access to fantastic art and culture on their doorsteps, and we’re investing £6.8 million in eight creative and cultural organisations in Stoke. This forms part of our longer-term plan to invest more money in Stoke-on-Trent as part of the Levelling Up for Culture priority, to increase investment and engagement in the arts and creativity.
Joining the portfolio are five organisations which will receive regular funding for the first time:
- Claybody Theatre, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, produces live drama inspired by the stories of local people and shares it in non-theatre spaces.
- FRONTLINEdance places disabled people and those with long-term health conditions at the heart of its work, not just as audiences but also as leaders, dancers and artists.
- Partners in Creative Learning develops partnerships and creative learning projects in schools, community venues and pop-up shops.
- Restoke, in Fenton, puts people at the heart of creative adventures, including community performance and free to access creative workshops, including things like the Ballroom at Fenton Town Hall.
- The Portland Inn offers amazing opportunities for people to take part in creative activities from a refurbished former pub in Hanley. Arts Council has supported it from the very beginning and we’re looking forward to seeing it continue to grow and flourish.
We’re also continuing to support the great work at the New Vic Theatre, community-focused B Arts and the internationally renowned British Ceramics Biennial.
Putting people at the heart of creativity, we also invest in two Creative People and Places programmes in the region.
Appetite, consortium-led by the New Vic Theatre, develops exciting and unforgettable cultural experiences and opportunities for and within local communities; and Outside, rooted in the Staffordshire Moorlands, works to boost arts and culture in rural settings.
Peter Knott, Midland Area Director for Arts Council England, said: “With our increased investment in Stoke-on-Trent over the next three years, we want to make sure that even more people can share in the benefits of great arts, creativity and culture.
“It’s our job at Arts Council England to make sure everyone can feel the joy of culture in their lives, and we look forward to working with the people of Stoke and Staffordshire to do just that.”
For more information
Read more about our National Portfolio here: 2023-26 Investment Programme
See what other funding opportunities we offer: www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding
