In 2024 Stoke-on-Trent was awarded World Craft City status – an award that has not only recognised the City’s rich ceramics heritage but which has now set a benchmark for other cities worldwide.

World Craft City status was a landmark achievement for Stoke-on-Trent and was instigated by a dedicated team at Stoke Creates.

The nine-strong team is a collaboration of professionals and academics supported by local artists along with a diverse group of organisations including community interests companies, educational organisations and members of the ceramics industry.

During the process to achieve such an accolade, World Craft Council jurors spent three days in the city, attended a civic reception and visited the likes of Spode Rose Garden, British Ceramics Biennial, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Duchess China, Middleport Pottery and other landmark sites.

Connections were made with local artisans who are following in the footsteps of pioneers such as Josiah Spode and Josiah Wedgwood, innovating not only in clay but also in how to activate communities and how to bring the city’s design and making heritage to life.

Stoke Creates – the city’s cultural compact which centres on bringing together communities and organisations – did just that for the World Craft City bid.

Now Stoke-on-Trent’s vibrant cultural ecosystem, a creative web that includes  cultural industries, museums, galleries and educational institutions, is being talked about regionally, in Parliament and worldwide.

Stoke-on-Trent’s World Craft City Status is included in local government plans, including Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Future 100 prospectus. In 2025 the city’s aspirations are being raised as heritage, arts and business funding bodies are being asked to leverage on the World Craft City status. Together with Stoke Creates and other partners, the city is able to build upon a cultural heritage of innovation, craft, creativity and entrepreneurialism.

The team at Stoke Creates champions and brings investment to the city. Stoke Creates builds up skills and connectivity locally through the Stoke Creates Exchange Forum; launched two years ago it has so far welcomed 400 attendees to networking events, and through Culture Volunteers has provided more than 400 volunteering opportunities.

By bringing together a strong team with a rich mix of ambition and vision, underpinned by excellent skills and networks, Stoke Creates is fast becoming a serious force for culture-led regeneration in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Smithfield-based organisation also engages with institutional, regional and national policymakers to advocate for new, diverse and targeted investment in the arts and culture sectors.

Stoke Creates is a team – working together on positive action to change the narrative, the stories we tell about our place, and the reality in new opportunities, new partnerships and new actions in Stoke-on-Trent.

Stoke Creates has entered the Team of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.