Communities across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are set to benefit from a major funding boost for arts and heritage projects, with new investment announced for creative organisations, historic sites and a heritage restoration scheme.
The region will share in Arts Council England’s largest ever Creative People and Places (CPP) portfolio, which will see £42 million invested in 45 programmes across England between 2026 and 2029. The programme, is made possible thanks to National Lottery players, aims to put culture in the hands of local communities, particularly in areas where engagement with the arts is below the national average.
In Stoke-on-Trent, Appetite has been awarded £1 million to continue its successful CPP programme for a further three years. Since 2013, Appetite has brought large-scale outdoor arts events and participatory projects to the city, working closely with communities to shape its programme.
Appetite director Rachel Adams said: “This funding announcement means Appetite can continue to engage and listen to communities and create impactful, incredible events and experiences in and for Stoke-on-Trent over the next three years.
“Appetite brings something different to the Six Towns of Stoke-on-Trent; it’s about celebrating what we have and removing barriers to getting involved.”
In the Staffordshire Moorlands, OUTSIDE has received £975,000 to continue its work connecting local residents and artists to celebrate life in the district’s villages, market towns and rural landscapes.
OUTSIDE board chair Susan Clarke said: “All of the team at OUTSIDE are delighted to share this great news for the Staffordshire Moorlands. This award from Arts Council England is so welcome, at a time when communities across our rural district need more than ever to feel connected, creative, and to celebrate the stories of the place in which we are proud to live.”
Liz Johnson, Midlands area director at Arts Council England, praised both programmes, saying: “Funded by the National Lottery, we are investing more than £9.2 million in the Midlands to ensure more people can experience and take part in creativity on their doorsteps.
“Appetite has been doing brilliant work in Stoke-on-Trent since 2013. It’s great news that they will be continuing to fulfil the region’s appetite for high quality creative and cultural experiences over the next three years.
“OUTSIDE work with local people to bring creativity to the heart of their rural communities. Focusing on the environment, connectivity, wellbeing, place and heritage, residents are encouraged to come together to create and experience extraordinary moments that inspire joy and positive change.”
In addition, two heritage sites in the county have received funding from the Museum Renewal Fund, delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Tamworth Castle will receive £139,120, while Ford Green Hall in Smallthorne will get £34,369.
Councillor Lewis Smith, portfolio holder for people services, engagement, leisure and heritage for Tamworth Borough Council said: “This investment underlines our continued commitment to strengthening our tourism offer, and making sure our cultural assets remain at the heart of the town’s future growth and prosperity.”
Meanwhile, a further £240,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will help protect and restore Stoke-on-Trent’s historic landmarks as the city marks its centenary.
The partnership between Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the city’s heritage development trust, Re-Form Heritage, will focus on restoring small but significant heritage assets such as statues, memorials, fountains, murals and street furniture. Residents will soon be invited to nominate the heritage assets they would like to see restored as part of the programme.
Council leader Jane Ashworth said: “Our heritage tells the story of who we are as a city – it reflects both our industrial strength and our creativity. We know there are challenges to tackle but 100 years since Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status is the perfect time to reflect on its past and invest in its future.”
Dr Alasdair Brooks, chief executive at Re-Form Heritage, added: “The Centenary Restoration Fund will embed local community support for much-loved smaller-scale heritage assets across our city and leave a lasting legacy for this year’s Stoke-on-Trent 100 celebrations.”
