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 bicycle commission, choreographed gym

routine, workshops and performances across January

February

Design for Reading

David Watkins, 2012 Olympic medal designer commissioned to work with 10 Reading students on 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

High Tide Festival Theatre commissions

High Tide Festival Theatre’s Steven Atkinson to curate four new pieces of

writing about Reading

May

Story of Reading

The Museum of Rural life re-opening

Abbey Ruins digital project

Tower of London poppies bid

Reading’s history and heritage explored

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