2024 has been a year of achievement, milestones, connections and creativity for Stoke-on-Trent. Here’s a little review of how we’re shaping the city’s cultural future – together!
A City of Craft and Conversation
Alexis: “What’s your favourite season?”
Moira: “Ooo. Awards.”
Schitts Creek S03 E02
Executive Director Susan Clarke writes:
It’s lovely winning prizes isn’t it?
In 2024 Stoke-on-Trent won World Craft City status. This award places the city in an international family of 61 cities, which in itself is a great opportunity. But the most noticeable effect of the win is inside the city. The award has sparked conversations here about Stoke and its ceramic identity. Love it or hate it, it is real.
The city has had 100 years of being a city because of the pottery industry, because we stand on red marl that you could dig out with a teaspoon, right next to the perfect high temperature burning coal. It is literally why we are here.
Today we are lucky enough still to have a living heritage of pottery making skills, both for industrial and studio ceramics. These skills are in the hands and minds of people living and working here. So the conversations are wide ranging. What does it mean to be a ceramic craft city? Do we recognise that version of ourselves? What do young people, children think? Is this just an old person’s thing? Is it for everybody? How? What does that mean for the future?
So as 2025 focuses a spotlight on the city, on who we have been and who we could be, let’s talk.
Susan
Stoke Creates is changing
Big news from the boardroom!
Chair of Stoke Creates CIC, Professor Carola Boehm, shares an exciting update:
“We’re paving the way for Stoke Creates CIC to transition into a charity. Our soon-to-be-submitted Charity Commission application will create a membership structure that invites the wider community to actively shape Stoke Creates’ future. Think National Trust vibes, but on a creative, Potteries scale — interactive, dynamic, and hands-on.”
We’ll keep you posted here on our website as progress unfolds!
Connecting Creatives: Stoke Exchange Forum
This year, the Stoke Creates Exchange Forum has become the beating heart of Stoke-on-Trent’s creative sector.
Exchange Forum Co-ordinator Kat Hughes writes:
In just a year, the Forum has hosted 14 events with 372 participants, creating space for connection, collaboration, and inclusivity.
Highlights include:
- Neurodivergent Makers Forum
- The wellbeing-focused Arts Hike, supporting isolated freelancers.
Partnerships with Keele University and the Lunar Society have amplified our impact, and new roles like our Access Support Worker ensure we’re investing in local professional talent.
Looking ahead, we’ll commission an impact evaluation to strengthen the Forum’s model as we continue to empower local talent and transform the creative landscape.
We can’t wait to see you in 2025!
2024: A Year of Achievements
This year, Stoke Creates has:
- Funded 4 arts partners (Appetite, B Arts, Urban Wilderness CIC, Partners in Creative Learning) to deliver CASCADE community arts pilots.
- Hosted 14 Exchange Forum events, engaging 400 local creatives.
- Supported the valuable work of the Culture Volunteer North Staffs team.
- Helped 7 charities raise £126,000 for community arts through Arts Council England and The Big Give.
- Convened cultural leaders for a knowledge exchange trip to Hull and Bradford.
- Supported the Kwanzaa Collective’s Black History Celebration at the Potteries Museum.
- Launched the Stoke 100 Club, securing £8,400 annually from donors to support cultural growth.
- Advocated for Stoke’s creative industries across sectors including health, business, and education.
- Together with our partners Made in Stoke we co-hosted a thank you and a celebration event for winning World Craft City status at The Belstaff flagship store in Regent Street in London.
And the future?
In 2025 Stoke Creates we will be launching its updated strategic plan. This plan will help us shape the work we do with and for the cultural and creative sector over the coming years. Watch out for it landing on our website.
And – we have exciting plans developing for how we can celebrate Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary year. We’re getting involved, and hope you’ll join us! #SOT100
Stay tuned for more news, events, and opportunities as we move into 2025. Let’s keep creating, connecting, and celebrating Stoke-on-Trent together!
We wish you all the very best for a successful and prosperous 2025!