1. Year of Culture

2. The 2016 Year of Culture will make Reading a place of innovation, imagination and magic

3. We will place culture at the centre of town life, with residents and visitors delighted, enthralled, inspired and moved by the programme

4. 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

5. 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

6. January

7. 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

8. February

9. 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

10. March

11. Reading 2050 Kicked off with FutureFest, curated by NESTA, exploring the future of Reading. Organisations across Reading invited to respond to 2050

12. April

13. High Tide Festival Theatre commissions High Tide Festival Theatre’s Steven Atkinson to curate four new pieces of writing about Reading

14. May

15. 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

16. June

17. Eat Reading A festival of food, art and imagination Including a biscuit festival and beer project Reading organisations invited to respond

18. September July

19. SITELINES An expanded version of the much loved site specific theatre strand

20. August

21. Reading Festival Every August music fans from all over the world descend on Reading to attend the Reading Festival

22. September

23. In the Round at the Hexagon A special season of music, comedy and theatre presented in the round.

24. October

25. Reading in Reading A voyage of exploration across Reading’s literary scene, past, present and future

26. November

27. Dance Reading A festival of movement, space and imagination in association with the contemporary dance company Rambert

28. December

29. Lights Reading Illuminating the town with a series of spectacular commissions

30. ….Plus Two

31. A specially commissioned global lecture series featuring global leaders, artists and thinkers And An internationally significant art project