Mitchell Arts Centre prepares to celebrate 70 years of community art and theatre
By Liana Snape 8th Feb 2026
A local arts centre is preparing to celebrate 70 years of community art and theatre.
Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley opened its doors to the local community almost 70 years ago and is now hoping to return to its roots by calling on local residents and businesses to help raise money for the centre.
The centre, which receives support from the Heritage Fund, has now launched the MAC Sparkle Project to raise additional money to revitalise key areas of the building.
CEO of the Mitchell Arts Centre, Harriet Jackson, said: "From visual improvements to practical upgrades, the project is about helping the Mitchell Arts Centre shine."
She added: "We are really excited to celebrate 70 years of the Mitchell Arts Centre, a remarkable milestone that celebrates seven decades of creativity, community, and cultural excellence.
"Since opening its doors, the Mitchell Arts Centre has been a vibrant home for the arts inspiring generations of performers, audiences, and creatives, and enriching the cultural life of our community.
"Its enduring legacy is a testament to the power of the arts to bring people together, tell our stories, and shape our shared identity."
The History
The story of the Mitchell Arts Centre began in 1957.
Members of the community were invited to put money in cups in honour of Reginald Mitchell, the Stoke-on-Trent aircraft designer and developer of the Spitfire.
Instead of building a statue to honour his memory, it was decided that a community arts centre for young people would be established.
With the money raised from local people, the Mitchell Arts Centre was built.
Since then, the centre has provided a space for young people and members of the community to experience and participate in theatre and art.
To celebrate the 70-year anniversary, there will be a new mural to decorate the inside of the building as well as festivals and events.
Caroline Sherratt, Education Development Manager at the Mitchell Arts Centre, said: "The festivals are going to include new work that we haven't seen before. There will be new stage productions, lots of cafe activity, lots of music and lots of dance.
"Just things that shine light on the building and hopefully get loads more people through the door."
The Present
The Mitchell Arts Centre now supports more than 70,000 people each year through a range of programmes, activities and events.
Members of the community are also able to use the space by visiting the Spitfire Cafe.
Caroline Sherratt said: "We're all about breaking barriers so everything we do is'subsidised, accessible and affordable.
"We also offer free activities ensuring everyone has access to the arts no matter their situation."
The Mitchell Arts Centre regularly hosts 'Community Days' which offer free film and art activities to participants from Staffordshire Sight Loss, Able Stoke the North Staffordshire Pensioners Convention.
Caroline added: "It's all about bringing people together and making sure that there are no barriers."
The centre also screens films as well as National Theatre and Royal Ballet performances which are open to the public.
During these screenings, captioned film, BSL, and audio description can be provided to accommodate as many visitors as possible.
The Mitchell Arts Centre also stages original theatre performances featuring young people and local members of the community.
These shows give individuals an opportunity to get actively involved in arts and theatre and experience performing in front of an audience, something that the team at the Mitchell Arts Centre are keen to see thrive in Stoke-on-Trent.
Caroline said: "Art gives everyone a place to be seen, and how is that not for everyone?
"Some of the young people that we get through the Hub Foundation are so original and they find their place through theatre.
"Stoke is such an original place with original people so really we should be thriving in this community.
"We should be embracing theatre because it makes you feel welcomed, it makes you feel seen, and it makes you feel respected for all of your differences."
The Mitchell Arts Centre and its programmes are supported by a team of staff and volunteers.
Culture volunteer Steve, who supports the delivery of the Community Days, said: "People come in and at first they can be a bit timid and hold back.
"But by the end you see people coming to life, you see the light shining.
"I might start talking to them about something else entirely than the crafts we are making and tell them to put a bit of that in.
"Before you know it they have gone from saying 'I can't, I don't know how', to creating four new pieces of work in two hours.
"It gives them confidence, to be able to say: 'I'm a good artist'."
The Staff and volunteers emphasised the sense of community they feel working at the Mitchell Arts Centre.
Mitchell Arts Centre Volunteer Michael, who works as an usher at live screenings and theatre performances, said: "I live on my own now and I volunteer to help me to get out of the house and to mix with people"
"It's been a real life changer for me because it has given me something to do. I love it.
"I've been made to feel welcome from the start."
Emma, Spitfire Cafe Assistant, said: "It's great to get chatting to all of the customers.
"You're involved in a broader picture, you're part of the community."
The Future
As the Mitchell Arts Centre approaches its 70th anniversary, they have launched a fundraising campaign.
There are a range of events and renovations planned for the anniversary year.
A mural that will be co-created by the youth board of local students from St Margaret Wards school and Able Stoke.
The mural will lead to a wall of tiles made by children in the Claynauts half term workshops funded by the national lottery heritage fund.
Caroline Sherratt said: "We want to co-create with young people in mind, because that is who the building was really for.
"I think whenever we work with students, we like to think that it empowers them to feel like they can actually make a difference."
The MAC Sparkle project also hopes to engage the community to raise money to repair almost 70 years' worth of wear and tear around the building.
Harriet Jackson said: "As the Centre marks a significant milestone in its history, the MAC Sparkle Project focuses on revitalising key areas of the building, improving facilities, and creating a welcoming, inspiring environment for artists, audiences, and the wider community.
"From visual improvements to practical upgrades, the project is about helping the Mitchell Arts Centre shine.
"To bring this vision to life, we are seeking sponsorship, donations, and community support
"Every contribution, whether financial, in-kind, or through partnership, will play a vital role in ensuring the Centre remains a vibrant hub for creativity, learning, and connection for generations to come."
To find out more about the MAC Sparkle project, visit the website here.
To find out more about events and screenings at the Mitchell Arts Centre, visit the website here.
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