Reading Place of Culture - Commissioning Case Studies
Reading Place of Culture was a project funded as part of the Great Places Scheme from 2017 to 2021 (and extending into 2021 because of Covid). It was jointly led and delivered by Reading Borough Council, Reading University and Reading UK, as a legacy from the Year of Culture.
The work was divided into four strands each on led by one of the partners:
- Strand 1 (The Commissions), led by RBC, the commissions focussed on funding partnerships between arts organisations and defined priority service delivery partners.
- Strand 2 and 4, (the festival and business engagement strands) delivered by Reading UK encompassed both the Reading on Thames Festival and Reading Culture Live digital platform as well as research into how foster local business engagement in the cultural sector.
- Strand 3, led by Reading University, delivered against the research aims of the funding, and catalysed the set up of the Whitely Researchers.
The project aimed to foster a culture of collaboration across sectors – where caring for, and engaging, people is achieved in partnership between the public, private and voluntary sectors. In doing this, the Programme would enable Reading to enhance its cultural offer, drive economic growth, and improve the quality of life for people in Reading.
The Great Place Scheme was a collaboration between Arts Council England, Historic England and the Heritage Lottery – and Reading was one of 16 areas to be awarded ‘Great Places’ status in England.
Case studies from projects that were part of the commissioning strand are now available for you to download:
