Stoke Creates is the Cultural Compact for Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area.
A Cultural Compact is a partnership model that builds collaboration across sectors to support and grow a place’s arts and cultural ecosystem, leading to increased social and economic benefits.
Initiated by Arts Council England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Cultural Compacts aim for a step-change in how cultural organisations, local authorities, businesses, education providers, cultural and community leaders work together.
These partnerships co-design and deliver a shared vision for arts and culture within their community, responding to the challenge of changing socio-economic conditions and funding landscapes.
The funding provided in 2019 enabled the establishment of goal-driven, cross-sector partnerships in 20 places across England including here in Stoke-on-Trent – with Stoke Creates.
Stoke Creates’ mission is to generate new visions and ambitions for our city’s cultural sector, positioning culture more prominently in local agendas, and building a wider base of support.
Stoke Creates encourages not just collaboration within the cultural sector but fosters a broad coalition across various local sectors and interests for a transformative impact on cultural development and engagement in North Staffordshire.
In short, we believe arts and culture matter, and we’re working with various partners across Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding region to make arts and culture happen for the benefit of all.
Our Values
- Collaboration
- Aspiration
- Inspiration
- Ambition
- Trust
- Empowerment
- Supporting Emerging Talent
Our Aims
- Maximise the region’s chances to secure new arts funding from external sources
- Channel funding and expertise to address unmet needs in the city
- Help the region take high potential existing arts projects to scale
- Act as matchmaker for other activities that complement our mission
The Stoke Creates Board
Prof. Carola Boehm
Staffordshire University
CHAIR
Prof. David Amigoni
Keele University
Clare Wood
British Ceramics Biennial
Paul Williams
Academic: Tourism & Culture
Gemma Thomas
Appetite
Natalie Armitage
Partners in Creative Learning
Fiona Wallace
New Vic Theatre
Susan Clarke
Stoke Creates


