Year of Culture
The 2016 Year of Culture will make Reading a place of innovation, imagination and magic
We will place culture at the centre of town life, with residents and visitors delighted, enthralled, inspired and moved by the programme
5 Guiding Principles Culture is for everyone Innovation and Technology The best work, best artists and best practices Audience and Community engagement To make Reading a cultural hub
Year of Culture : Programme Twelve plus Two 12 standout events or projects, one for every month throughout 2016 Plus 2 further initiatives held in and around Reading
January
Get Fit for Culture New Year, New Cultural You Reading residents will be encouraged to take part in cultural activities, starting on New Year’s day. Activities will include: A 5km run/jog/walk set to music created by Martyn Harry, workshops and performances across January
February
Design for Reading 10 Reading College student teams will be creating a Reading 2016 design. The final design displayed across wearables and places across Reading
March
Reading 2050 Kicked off with FutureFest, curated by NESTA, exploring the future of Reading. Organisations across Reading invited to respond to 2050
April
New Writing Competition Get Reading will be running a competition to find Reading’s buddings authors and playwrights. BBC Berkshire will also be writing a radio play about Reading.
May
Story of Reading Abbey Ruins digital project Tower of London poppies bid Reading’s history and heritage explored Projects to bring Reading’s Story to life
June
Eat Reading A festival of food, art and imagination Including a biscuit festival and beer project Reading organisations invited to respond
September July
SITELINES An expanded version of the much loved site specific theatre strand
August
Reading Festival Every August music fans from all over the world descend on Reading to attend the Reading Festival
September
In the Round at the Hexagon A special season of music, comedy and theatre presented in the round.
October
Reading in Reading A voyage of exploration across Reading’s literary scene, past, present and future
November
Dance Reading A festival of movement, space and imagination in association with the contemporary dance company Rambert
December
Lights Reading Illuminating the town with a series of spectacular commissions
….Plus Two
A specially commissioned global lecture series featuring global leaders, artists and thinkers And An internationally significant art project