Get involved in arts, culture and heritage in Reading
There are lots of ways to get involved with arts, culture and heritage here in Reading. And we'll do our best to gether all the opportunities for that in one place!
Whether you want to join a choir, audition for a play, volunteer at an event or venue or find some other way to be part of Reading's arts and cultural scene, you'll find it here on this page.
RABBLE Theatre seek local writers
RABBLE Theatre, Reading’s multi-award-winning professional theatre company are running a writing challenge to unearth new writers. Writers will be competing to write one of the four short plays at RABBLE’s annual sell-out event, Off the Block, held at Reading’s South Street Arts Centre on 31st January.
For the competition, applicants will have 6 hours to write a short play on Sunday 15th December, inspired by a clue given to them by the producers that morning.
Applications close on midnight, Wednesday 11th December.
- Find out more and sign up
East Reading Festival looking for volunteers, stallholders and more
East Reading Festival returns on Sunday 22nd June 2025. The festival is a free community-focused event, with a music stage, spoken word/poetry stage, a funfair, a small food court with a variety of different cuisines and a wide range of community, charity and commercial stalls.
The team are now on the lookout for anyone who might like to get involved in the festival as a stall holder, performer, volunteer or committee member
Auditions
Ever wanted to take to the stage here in Reading? We'll gather up all the open audition info we can from local theatres and performing troupes in Reading and share them on this page. And maybe you'll get your shot in the spotlight!
Join a choir
Reading is home to a multitude of choirs, all filling their own unique niche in the choral community - and they're always on the lookout for new voices to join them.
Volunteering
Current volunteering opportunities, from one-off projects to those organisations that are always happy to sign-up new volunteers. Supported by our friends at Reading Voluntary Action.
Paid roles
Our list of current paid vacancies in the arts, culture and heritage sector in and around the Reading area.
Open Mic nights
Looking for a chance to get up on stage? There are plenty of open mic nights in Reading where performers of all kinds - and abilities - can get to sing a song, read a poem, tell a joke... Or two!
Young acts wanted for The Purple Turtle!
Calling all young bands and singers aged 16-19!
Do you want to play at The Purple Turtle? Reading's long-running venue is on the hunt for new acts to play The Sunday Sessions.
These monthly Sunday afternoon gigs are aimed at giving young bands, singer-songwriters and solo artists the chance to play on stage with a full PA in a proper venue - one that's been supporting music in Reading for over 30 years!
If that sounds like you or someone you know, get in touch via neilg@purpleturtlebar.com
