Stoke-on-Trent has been awarded World Craft City status, catapulting the city onto the global stage.
World Craft City status is awarded by the World Crafts Council to areas where there are excellent social, cultural, and economic contributions from communities.
The city – famously known as the Potteries – joins an exclusive list of locations to receive the status across the UK and further afield including Farnham in Surrey; Outer Hebrides in Scotland; Kilkenny, Ireland; Bornholm, Denmark; and La Bisbal d’Empordà, Spain.
City Council Leader Jane Ashworth said: “We are absolutely thrilled at the news that Stoke-on-Trent has received World Craft City status. This is a tremendous achievement, and one that culminates years of hard work by our cultural community.
“This recognition by the World Crafts Council has the potential to open so many doors for our city, not least when it comes to working alongside other cities and towns across the world who also have World Craft City status.
“We are extremely excited by the possibilities and believe that this will have a significant impact when it comes to the social, cultural, and economic prestige of Stoke-on-Trent.
“As the global centre for ceramics production and ceramics works, and particularly for The Potteries, Stoke-on-Trent is suitably placed to continue thriving for many, many years to come.”
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive Rachel Laver said: “It’s fantastic news for the city and really helps to raise the profile of the exceptional businesses and talent we have in the area.
“Despite the pottery industry declining here, creative industries are not only alive and kicking, but thriving.”
The aim of World Craft City status is to emphasise craft expertise; boost the potential for government support; promote innovation and tourism; and accelerate knowledge exchange among other cities that have received the same honour.
The news of Stoke-on-Trent’s successful bid to achieve World Craft City status based on its ceramic heritage is extremely welcomed within the community, and specifically within Stoke Creates.
Following on from the city’s UK City of Culture bid for 2021, Stoke Creates formed as the Cultural Compact for the city, specifically to promote artistic, creative, and cultural participation within the combined Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire region.
Stoke Creates also brings together key partners and anchor organisations such as the city’s Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisations, the local authority, the Chambers of Commerce, our two universities, British Ceramics Biennial, and other leading creative organisations.
Stoke Creates’ efforts in promoting and submitting the bid culminated in a recent visit to the area from a panel of international judges on behalf of the World Crafts Council.
This included a civic reception that involved the presentation of a commemorative plate specially crafted by Duchess China, as well as a three-day programme of site visits across Stoke-on-Trent.
Paul Williams, board member at Stoke Creates who spearheaded the application, said: “This designation is a fitting endorsement by the World Crafts Council of Stoke-on-Trent’s global renown as a city of craft, artistry, industry and innovation. It was wonderful to hear the judges describe Stoke-on-Trent as an example of a craft city where the legacy of historical craftsmanship intertwines with contemporary relevance.”
The WCC-World Craft City Programme was launched in 2014 by the World Crafts Council AISBL (WCC-International).
This was to recognise the vital role that local authorities, craftsmen and craftswomen, and specialised communities hold in shaping cultural, economic, and social development across the globe. The programme also establishes an exciting network of craft cities worldwide whilst linking shared principles of a creative global economy.
