Andrew Kelly 

Biography: Andrew Kelly is director of a range of initiatives in Bristol, including Bristol Cultural Development Partnership, the annual Great Reading Adventure, the Bristol Festival of Ideas, Darwin 200 and BAC 2010 – the celebrations to mark the centenary of the Bristol Aircraft company in 2010.

He was previously director of Bristol's bid to be capital of culture in 2008 and of Brunel 200, the national celebrations of the life and work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 2006. He created the projects At-Bristol, Brief and Animated Encounters Film Festivals, South West Arts Marketing, among others. With Melanie Kelly, he is a consultant on cultural and scientific festivals and projects (he is currently the programmer of the Glasgow Aye Write Festival).

He is the author of 13 books on subjects ranging from the history of Hollywood in the 1930s to managing not-for-profit partnerships. His most recent book was on the life and work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He is currently co-editing a book on Darwin and writing a history of aviation which focuses on Bristol. His biography of film director Lewis Milestone is scheduled for publication in 2010.

Abstract: Book festivals and reading projects

Gordon Brown says that festivals and reading groups are a sign of people wanting to be serious; Edinburgh breaks box office records year after year; more and more festivals are set up annually. What makes a successful festival, one that contributes to learning, literacy, and regeneration? Are they really that serious? Using the examples of Glasgow Aye Write, the Bristol Festival of Ideas and the annual Great Reading Adventure, Andrew Kelly explores why festivals and reading projects are important, what they deliver and how they can continue to work for all.