A NEW awards ceremony is set to celebrate some of the town’s biggest contributors to arts and culture.
What’s On Reading has announced the launch of its Reading Cultural Champions event, which will recognise the contributions to culture and heritage of the borough from the last year.
It marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of What’s On Reading.
Ten categories are now open for nominations of people, places, and events, including Event of the Year; Champion for Reading, an event, organisation, individual or venue that represents Reading on a wider stage; and Community Leadership & Skill Development Champion, celebrating projects, grassroots efforts, cultural initiatives, and creative skill-sharing.
It also includes awards for Creative Wellbeing, Cultural partnership, Diversity, heritage, Sustainability, and Youth Culture Champions, as well as a Cultural Rising Star.
Individuals and organisations can self-nominate, but members of the public are invited to nominate the events, venues, and organisations that they enjoyed in the past year.
There is no restriction on the number of nominations any one person can make, but nominations must include reasoning as to why that person, event, venue, or project deserves the award.
Nominations will close at midnight on Sunday, February 9, after which finalists for each category will be shortlisted.
A panel of independent experts will then decide the winners, with the exception of the “Event of the Year” category, which will be chosen by the public.
Nominations must reflect events, activities, projects, and organisers, that took place last year only.
Nominees must have been listed in some capacity on What’s On Reading during 2024.
Nominations and more information available via: whatsonreading.com/champions
