National Lottery Heritage Grants £10,000 to £250,000
2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Arthur Berry, as well as a century since Stoke-on-Trent gained city status. We have awarded funding to the pioneering New Vic Theatre. Along with its creative partners, the theatre is celebrating Arthur’s work throughout the year with Arthur Berry 100, complementing Stoke’s wider programme of centenary celebrations, SOT 100.
His writing and artwork remain popular in the local community, as his experience of working-class life in the Potteries inspired his plays and paintings.
The Arthur Berry 100 programme will include:
- two public exhibitions of Arthur’s artwork in the local area
- artist-led workshops to inspire new art in the community
- the world premiere of his last ever play, Whatever Happened To Phoebe Salt
- an accessible online trail to share stories about where he lived and worked
With renewed access to this cultural icon’s work, locals and visitors can see archive materials up close and share their memories of the times and places that Arthur wrote about. Local schools will also be involved, connecting the next generation to an influential voice from their city’s past.
Theresa Heskins, Artistic Director of the New Vic, said: “Arthur Berry is Stoke-on-Trent’s ‘Lowry’: an observer of ordinary lives lived in an industrial landscape. Arthur Berry 100 will enable us to bring the collection of this incredible artist’s work into the public domain, offering audiences the chance to discover his work for the first time, or revisit it with fresh eyes."
The Heritage Fund has a long-term commitment to Stoke-on-Trent, which is one of the areas we are supporting with investment through our Heritage Places initiative.
Learn about Arthur Berry 100 or discover more projects we’ve funded across the Midlands and East.