Reading 2016 has been designed to bring new artists and experiences to Reading throughout 2016. Showcase the wonderful range of arts, culture and heritage events and organisations in Reading and provide Reading residents and visitors with opportunities to try out a wide range of new cultural experiences.
Devised with a unique theme for every month of 2016, the programme will feature a high-quality lead event or project for each theme with associated events created by local arts and culture organisations. Throughout the year, Reading’s burgeoning cultural community will also be showcasing their talent and ideas with a large number of ‘Made in Reading’ events.
The foundation of the Year of Culture will see 12 different themes celebrated each month with 12 standout events or projects forming the centre of each month. These include Get Fit for Culture, Reading 2050, Story of Reading and Dance Reading.
Take a sneak peek at what events will be taking place in 2016 as part of Reading’s Year of Culture
January – Get Fit for Culture
A bicycle commission, choreographed gym routine, workshops and performances will run throughout the month under the title New Year, New Cultural you. People will be encouraged to take part in the cultural activities which will begin on New Year’s Day. Any groups within the town which want to take part in January’s theme is able to apply for funding from Reading Borough Council. For more info CLICK HERE before Monday, September 14.
February – Design for Reading
The man who designed the London 2012 Olympic medal and University of Reading graduate David Watkins is planned to be commissioned to work with 10 Reading art students on a design for Reading Year of Culture 2016 artwork. The final piece will be displayed across the town and printed on t-shirts, bags and more.
March – Reading 2050
March’s theme will be helped out by the team at NESTA, an innovation charity with a mission to help people bring great ideas to life. The team will help organise Reading’s FutureFest. Looking at what the future of Reading will be like. Organisations are being invited to respond to this theme and send in ideas.
April – HighTide Festival Theatre
British theatre producer and director Steven Atkinson will be asked to create four new pieces of theatre as part of the High Tide Festival Theatre commission. Atkinson, who studied at the University of Reading, has been nominated for five and won four awards for his work in theatre and has written and debuted a highly acclaimed off Broadway play.
May – Story of Reading
The history and heritage of Reading will be explored in May centering around the reopening of the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) which has been closed due to refurbishment. Plans for a digital project surrounding the Abbey Ruins are also in discussion. Organisations, groups and businesses have been invited to send their ideas to planners.
June – Eat Reading
Continuing the hard work of Reading UK CIC’s summer Eat Reading events, the organisers of Year of Culture 2016 hope to make the event even bigger. As with this year the theme will include a Big Lunch (which sees events taking place across the country) as well as a biscuit festival to celebrate one of Reading’s famous “B’s”.
July – In the Round at the Hexagon
A special season of music, comedy and theatre will be held at The Hexagon throughout July in a bid to breath some new life into the theatre.
August – Reading Festival
Every August tens of thousands of music fans from all over the world descend onto Reading to attend one of the country’s biggest music festivals. Next year organisers plan to take full advantage of this event and hope to use the festival as a cultural platform for local artists and musicians as well as encouraging guests to see what else the town has to offer.
September – Sitelines
In September Reading’s festival of pop-up theatre organised by South Street Arts Centre will be expanded. The shows performed under the SITELINES umbrella are usually location specific and have seen productions take part in bus stops and around ice cream vans in the past.
October – Reading in Reading
Reading’s literary culture will be celebrated throughout October – taking influence from the town’s author connections including Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde and T.E. Lawrence.
November – Dance Reading
A festival of movement, space and imagination will take place across the town in November in association with Britain’s oldest dance company Rambert which commissions contemporary pieces by working with the most exciting choreographers, composers and designers around.
December – Lights Reading
More than just Christmas lights – throughout December the town will be illuminated with glowing, artistic displays.
Anything else?
As well as the main events each month, organisers are planning a specially commissioned lecture series featuring globally renowned leaders, artists and thinkers, as well as an internationally significant arts project.
For more information about Reading Year of Culture 2016 Click Here.
