The Reading Cultural Awards, which celebrate the best of Reading’s
artistic and cultural scene, have announced their 38 finalists –
the events, organisations and artists that have made Reading
such a great place to live, work and do business over the past 12 months.
Organised by Reading UK, the Reading Cultural Awards champion
the many great organisations and artists that put their creative hearts
and souls into Reading.
Full list of the finalists below
GET TICKETS FOR THE AWARDS CEREMONY ON 27 JUNE
Reading Place of Culture Ambassador Award
An artist or artistic endeavour that has promoted Reading’s talent or Reading as a cultural destination to a wider audience beyond the town.
Finalists
Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra (RASPO)
Reading Scottish Pipe Band
Reading Between The Lines theatre company
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Festival of the Year
A festival that engaged a broad community and raised Reading’s profile with high-quality content and a great festival experience.
Finalists
Reading Carnival
Are You Listening?
Reading on Thames festival
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Performance of the Year
Music, theatre, dance… This performance will have caused ripples in Reading and been widely acclaimed. The performance must have taken place in Reading but does not necessarily need to have been made in Reading.
Finalists
Matilda the Empress, Reading Between the Lines
Schumann at the Station, Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra
Alby the Penguin Saves Christmas, Reading Rep, Jelly & Reading Libraries
Ben Pedley Memorial Concert
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Celebrating Reading’s Heritage Award
A project or organisation that has raised the profile of Reading’s heritage.
Finalists
The Shady Side of Town, Reading Tree Wardens and Two Rivers Press
Lillies for Oscar Wilde, Reading Museum, Jelly, Reading Guild of Artists, Two Rivers Press, Haslams, Cherubs Floral Design, Friends of Reading Museum
Reading Museum / Reading Abbey Quarter
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Young Talent of the Year – under 25
An artist or group of artists that are displaying real talent and potential at a relatively young age.
Finalists
John Madejski Academy (Performing Arts)
Reading Rep
Calum Cromwell
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Cultural Space of the Year
Dedicated arts venue or unusual space used for art….This award recognises the diversity of great places to enjoy and perform art and cultural activities in Reading.
Finalists
Rising Sun Arts Centre
Museum of English Rural Life
The Oracle Shopping Centre
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Partnership of the Year
Demonstrating excellence in partnership working, this could be businesses working with arts organisation(s) or arts partnerships, education etc.
Finalists
Zap Magazine, Rising Sun Arts Centre, Real Time Video, Spectrum Arts, Neile Wright, Our Time Video, Move Up project
Alby the Penguin Saves Christmas, Reading Libraries, Reading Rep, Oxford Playhouse, Jelly and Reading College
Being Gordon Greenidge, South Street Arts Centre, Department of Film, Theatre & Television at University of Reading, the Barbados and Friends Association of Reading (BAFA) and Reading School
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Visual Arts Event of the Year
Fine art, film, etc. – the event will have been well regarded in Reading when it took place here but does not necessarily need to have been made in Reading.
Finalists
Whiteknights Studio Trail
Reading International
Open for Art
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Cultural Organisation of the Year
This organisation will have demonstrated consistently high standards in terms of output and engagement.
Finalists
Reading Between the Lines theatre company
Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra
Rising Sun Arts Centre
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Best Education Project
A project that shows the power of art and culture to engage young people and create high-quality artistic outputs.
Finalists
The Partnership Festival, University of Reading
Around the World in 80 Washing Lines, Mahlia Amatina
John Madejski Academy
Sponsored by
The Made in Reading Award
A ‘piece’ made by a Reading artist or artists. This could be a performance, visual arts piece or project but must be created within Reading.
Finalists
Being Gordon Greenidge, South Street Arts Centre & Benedict Sandiford
Lillies for Oscar Wilde, Reading Museum, Jelly, Reading Guild of Artists, Two Rivers Press, Haslams, Cherubs Floral Design, Friends of Reading Museum
Forgotten Heritage, Matthew Emmett
Sponsored by
Business Champion of the Arts
A business which has played a major contribution in supporting and developing the arts in Reading.
Finalists
Broad Street Mall
Reading Buses
Oracle Shopping Centre
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