WINNERS of this year's Reading Cultural Awards were unveiled at The Olympia Ballroom in front of a packed crowd.

More than 300 guests and a panel of culture experts turned out for the glitzy awards ceremony last night (June 29).

A total of 12 winners came from more than 350 nominations, in a celebration of Reading's arts community and its achievements over the last 12 months.

Victorious nominations included The Bulmershe Ensemble, Reading Between the Lines (Henry I) and Reading Fringe Festival.

Adam Jacobs, chair of Reading UK CIC, said: “Reading UK CIC is absolutely delighted that these inaugural awards have met with such a wonderful reception.

"While we are of course thrilled for the winners who will be great ambassadors for Reading, it is the range and quality of all the entries that showcases Reading as such a cultural melting pot.

"Arts and culture are at the heart of what makes this town such a great place to live, work and do business.”

The Reading Cultural Awards were set up by Reading UK CIC to celebrate all that is great about the Reading arts and culture scene.

The awards provide an opportunity for Reading’s arts and cultural community to come together, with this year's ceremony overseen by Reading FC legend Ady Williams.

The full list of winners:

  • Reading Place of Culture Ambassador Award - Inside at Reading Prison by Artangel (sponsored by Reading UK CIC)
  • Performance of the Year- Henry I by Reading Between The Lines Theatre Company
  • Cultural Space of the Year – SITELINES, theatre in unusual spaces programme curated by South Street Arts Centre
  • Best Education Project - Infamous by Berzerk Productions
  • Young talent under 25 - Alice Knight of Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra · Cultural Organisation of the Year - Jelly
  • The Made in Reading Award - Henry I by Reading Between The Lines
  • Visual Arts Event of the Year - Inside at Reading Prison by Artangel
  • Celebrating Reading’s Heritage Award – The Hidden Abbey Project
  • Reading Arts and Business in Partnership – Haslams Estates Agent
  • Festival of the Year - Reading Fringe Festival
  • Business innovation in the Arts - Light Up Reading
  • Judges Special Award – Bulmershe Ensemble

Full details of the winners, finalists and all the nominees can be found at www.readingplaceofculture.org