Role as a civic leader

Keele is playing a major role in the cultural life of the area, already delivering a vibrant and impactful programme of cultural events, and using its knowledge, assets and skills to support the growth and development of other cultural institutions in the area. The Keele Cultural Strategy seeks to achieve closer connection between the University’s core education and research missions, and its role as a local cultural anchor. The activities to support this priority involve advancing education and research at Keele, outreach and community engagement activities, and cultural and arts-based events in partnership with other stakeholders principally in the city of Stoke on Trent while recognising the importance of the city-region that includes Newcastle-under-Lyme. This priority also underpins Keele’s historic recognition of the importance of the arts through the emphasis placed on a broad-based education and the liberal arts tradition: that distinguishes the Keele Difference.

To help realise the Cultural Strategy, the University has recently launched Keele Deal | Culture with local Civic and Cultural partners. The Deal sets out ambitious targets for cultural engagement, developing creative talent, growing local creative industries and our contribution to quality of place.