(Hong Kong – 26 November, 2024) Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) welcomes and supports the promulgation of the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development (the Blueprint) announced by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) yesterday. This blueprint proposes several targeted measures aimed at transforming Hong Kong into a hub of culture and creative industries to further consolidate Hong Kong's position as an East meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges. HKAC fully support these policies and look forward to their further contribution to Hong Kong's artistic and creative ecosystem and international influence.

Mr. Peter LAU, Chairman of the Board of Board of Governors at the Hong Kong Arts Centre, stated, "We are very pleased to see the launch of the Blueprint and fully support this policy. The new direction of HKAC is aligned with the blueprint. We are committed to promote a diverse and international cultural arts industry. The 'Collect Hong Kong' premier art fair in March next year will serve as an important platform to help local artists expand into international markets. In terms of art education, the Hong Kong Art School has been providing professional art training for 25 years. Our newly launched Kids Corner children’s art programmes and short courses aim to nurture future artistic talents. With over 18 years of rich experience in public art activities, we look forward to collaborating with the SAR Government and various parties to inspire more creativity, promote cultural exchange, and provide richer artistic experiences for the public. To promote reading and support the publishing industry, HKAC has repeatedly led local comic artists to participate in the Angoulême International Comics Festival in France, facilitating their collaboration with international publishers."

In developing a diverse and international cultural arts industry, HKAC has actively implemented the various measures proposed by the SAR Government. The "Collect Hong Kong" event during Art Month next year aims to assist local artists in expanding into international markets and promote the dual development of culture and tourism.

This large exhibition will not only facilitate exchanges among artists but also attract participation from citizens and tourists, further enhancing Hong Kong's cultural atmosphere. “Collect Hong Kong” will be a flapship project for our Centre in the first quarter of next year and the only large-scale exhibition focused back onto Hong Kong’s vibrant local scene during Art Month.

In terms of art education, the Hong Kong Art School has been offering High diploma programme and co-organises a Bachelor of Arts programme with RMIT University for 25 years. This year, HKAC has launched the Kids Corner children’s art programmes and short-term art courses to cultivate a new generation of artistic talents. Additionally, we are in discussions with top art museums in mainland China to promote artistic exchange and foster broader cultural interaction.

HKAC has been promoting public art activities for over 18 years, initiating more than 60 public art projects to bring cultural arts into the community through various artistic activities and education. Currently, the three-year public art and community art project ‘RE: Tai Kok Tsui’ is in full swing. Since its launch in April 2023, it has connected the community through art interventions. The project features murals, art installations, dance, music, theatre play, cross-discipline art, exhibitions and workshops, all set against the backdrop of urban renewal Tai Kok Tsui. These initiatives aim to enhance the quality of public spaces, enriching social cohesion, strengthen a sense of belonging, and bring the positive energy to the urban renewal and economic development. To date, the project has engaged over 120 partners, programme collaborators and supporting organisations; successfully hosting more than 90 activities with more than 10,000 participants. HKAC will also unveil the Art Pavilion: Play Lab. Tai Kok Tsui - Sustainable Urban Living Hub by next month. It is set to become a cultural landmark in the district

Furthermore, to promote reading and support the publishing industry, HKAC actively encourages comic creation and is dedicated to nurturing artistic talents. The Centre has led local comic artists to participate in the Angoulême International Comics Festival, facilitating their collaboration with international publishers. Several local works were translated into different languages and released in international markets, further enhancing Hong Kong's influence in the global comics scene.

Looking ahead, HKAC will fully align with government policies on art development, continuing to nurture local artists, promote cultural exchange and connections with overseas peers, and drive the industrialisation of Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries. HKAC looks forward to collaborating with the SAR Government and various parties to jointly promote the development of Hong Kong's cultural arts, provide richer artistic experiences for citizens, and enhance community cohesion and creativity.

About Hong Kong Arts Centre ── Art for Passion, Art for Life, Art for All

Since 1977, the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) has been a platform for nurturing and supporting artists, and infusing art into everyday life. Its unique arts and educational programmes aim to make the arts accessible for all. The HKAC believes in the transformational power of art for people from all walks of life. Established for more than four decades, the HKAC endeavours to bring arts to the people of Hong Kong by presenting programmes in diverse art disciplines, such as visual arts, performing arts, moving images, media arts, comics, animation, arts education, lecture forum, public art, art festival and community art. With the vision of inspiring creativity in the local and international art community, HKAC focuses on five key areas of art development, including Global Arts Explorations, Community Engagement, Voices of Diversity, Artistic Empowerment, and Art for Life. 

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