CHAMPIONS of the local arts scene were celebrated at the annual Reading Cultural Awards with a glittering ceremony on June 27.

Nearly 600 nominations were submitted for the 2018 edition, which culminated in the awards being handed out to worthy winners at the Olympia Ballroom.

Successful projects included a play celebrating West Indian cricketer Gordon Greenidge and there was also a special prize for the Rising Sun Arts Centre.

Nigel Horton-Baker, executive director of Reading UK, organisers of the awards, said: “Arts, culture and heritage are at the heart of what makes Reading such a great place to live, work, visit and do business.

"Our 13 winners are great ambassadors for creativity in our town. These awards celebrate the vibrancy, diversity and depth of the whole cultural scene in Reading.”

Reading Chronicle:

The full list of winners and finalists:

  • The Made in Reading Award, sponsored by Cream Design

Winner - Being Gordon Greenidge, produced by South Street Arts Centre & written and directed by Benedict Sandiford

Finalists - Lillies for Oscar Wilde, Reading Museum, Jelly, Reading Guild of Artists, Two Rivers Press, Whiteknights Studio Trail, Haslams, Reading Museum, Forgotten Heritage, Matt Emmett

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

Winner - Reading Between The Lines theatre company

Finalists - RASPO/Culture Mix Arts, Scottish Pipe Band

  • Performance of the Year, sponsored by Jacobs the Jewellers

Winner - Schumann at the Station, Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra

Finalists - Matilda the Empress, Reading Between The Lines Alby the Penguin Saves Christmas, Reading Rep, Jelly & Reading Libraries, Ben Pedley Memorial Concert

  • Visual Arts Event of the Year, sponsored by The Breeze 107 Reading

Winner - Open for Art 2017

Finalists - Whiteknights Studio Trail, Reading International

  • Cultural Space of the Year, sponsored by Barton Willmore

Winner - The Oracle Shopping Centre

Finalists - Rising Sun Arts Centre, Museum of English Rural Life

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

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

Finalists - Lillies for Oscar Wilde, Reading Museum, Jelly, Reading Guild of Artists, Two Rivers Press, Whiteknights Studio Trail, Haslams and Reading Museum / Reading Abbey Quarter

Reading Chronicle:

  • Partnership of the Year, sponsored by Grant Thornton UK

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

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

Winner - Around the World in 80 Washing Lines, Mahlia Amatina

Finalists - John Madejski Academy, The Partnership Festival, University of Reading

  • Festival of the Year, sponsored by Haslams

Winner - Are You Listening Festival

Finalists - Reading on Thames Festival, Reading Carnival

Reading Chronicle:

  • Young talent under 25, in association with BBC Radio Berkshire

Winner - John Madejski Academy Performing Arts

Finalists - Reading Rep, Calum Cromwell

  • Cultural Organisation of the Year, sponsored by Reading Chronicle

Winner - Reading Between The Lines theatre company

Finalists - Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra, Rising Sun Arts Centre

  • Business Champion of the Arts, sponsored by Reading Business Improvement District (BID)

Winner - Reading Buses

Finalists - Broad Street Mall, Oracle Shopping Centre

  • Judges Special Award – Outstanding Contribution to the Arts

Winner – Rising Sun Arts Centre