THE finalists for this year’s Reading Cultural Awards have been announced.

Organisers Reading UK received nearly 600 nominations for the 12 categories celebrating the best of Reading’s arts, culture and heritage.

This week, the nominations were whittled down to a shortlist of 38 finalists, and the winners will be announced in a glittering ceremony on June 27.

Nigel Horton-Baker, executive director of Reading UK, organisers of the awards, said: “The number and calibre of nominations for this year’s awards is even more impressive than 2017, which demonstrates not only that the Reading Cultural Awards are becoming a well-established part of the Reading calendar, but also that the cultural scene in Reading is going from strength to strength.

“Arts, culture and heritage are at the heart of what makes Reading such a great place to live, work and do business. As the cream of creativity in our town, our finalists are flying the flag for the vibrancy of Reading locally, regionally and nationally.”

For more details on the Reading Cultural Awards visit www.readingculturalawards.org.

The Finalists

The Made in Reading Award, sponsored by Cream Design:

n Being Gordon Greenidge, South Street Arts Centre & Benedict Sandiford

n Lillies for Oscar Wilde, Reading Museum, Jelly, Reading Guild of Artists, Two Rivers Press, Whiteknights Studio Trail, Haslams and Reading Museum

n Forgotten Heritage, Matt Emmett

Reading Place of Culture Ambassador Award, sponsored by Reading UK:

n RASPO – Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra

n Scottish Pipe Band

n Reading Between The Lines theatre company

Performance of the Year, sponsored by Jacobs the Jewellers:

n Matilda the Empress, Reading Between The Lines

n Schumann at the Station, Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra

n Alby the Penguin Saves Christmas, Reading Rep, Jelly & Reading Libraries

n Ben Pedley Memorial Concert

Visual Arts Event of the Year, sponsored by The Breeze FM:

n Whiteknights Studio Trail

n Reading International

n Open for Art 2017

Cultural Space of the Year, sponsored by Barton Willmore:

n Rising Sun Arts Centre

n Museum of English Rural Life

n The Oracle Shopping Centre

Celebrating Reading’s Heritage Award, sponsored by the Banquet Kitchen / The Olympia Ballroom:

n The Shady Side of Town, Reading Tree Wardens and Two Rivers Press

n Lillies for Oscar Wilde, Reading Museum, Jelly, Reading Guild of Artists, Two Rivers Press, Whiteknights Studio Trail, Haslams and Reading Museum

n Reading Museum / Reading Abbey Quarter

Partnership of the Year, sponsored by Grant Thornton UK:

n Zap Magazine - Rising Sun Arts Centre, Real Time Video, Spectrum Arts, Neile Wright, Our Time Video, Move Up project.

n Alby the Penguin Saves Christmas, Reading Libraries, Reading Rep, Oxford Playhouse, Jelly, and Reading College

n Being Gordon Greenidge, South Street Arts Centre, the Department of Film, Theatre & Television at the University of Reading, the Barbados and Friends Association of Reading (BAFA) and Reading School.

Best Education Project, sponsored by The Oracle:

n John Madejski Academy

n The Partnership Festival, University of Reading

n Around the World in 80 Washing Lines, Mahlia Amatina

Festival of the Year, sponsored by Haslams

n Reading on Thames Festival

n Reading Carnival

n Are You Listening Festival

Young talent – under 25, in association with BBC Radio Berkshire:

n John Madejski Academy Performing Arts

n Reading Rep

n Calum Cromwell

Cultural Organisation of the Year:

n Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra

n Reading Between The Lines theatre company

n Rising Sun Arts Centre

Business Champion of the Arts, sponsored by Reading BID:

n Broad Street Mall

n Reading Buses

n Oracle Shopping Centre