Lawmaker labels new arts blueprint 'a breakthrough'

A member of the government's Advisory Committee on Arts Development says a new blueprint for the sector is a big leap forward. Lawmaker Johnny Ng told Hong Kong Today's Ben Tse that the development plan was very comprehensive and could build up the city as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges, as expressed in the National 14th Five-Year Plan. The government unveiled its Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development on Tuesday, with dozens of measures for the city's creative industries. It spells out four key directions, including promoting Chinese culture, building an international platform for cultural exchanges, and refining the ecosystem for creative industries. Ng told RTHK that the overhaul of arts funding was a "big breakthrough" that would see greater support towards individual artists or smaller groups. "We can see that some small and medium-sized artist groups will be funded by the ADC (Arts Development Council), while the nine largest major performing arts groups will be supported by ACAD (Advisory Committee on Arts Development). I think we can see that in between, there's some mobility we can enhance in order to support individuals, small artists to get funding," he said. Currently, government subventions are given to nine major performing arts groups - including the Hong Kong Ballet, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chung Ying Theatre Company - and grants to small and medium arts groups. Ng said that by striving to become an East-meets-West regional arts hub, tourism and other sectors in Hong Kong would also benefit. He was hopeful that more film festivals, art auctions and art tech exhibitions could be hosted in the SAR.

Lawmaker labels new arts blueprint 'a breakthrough'

Lawmaker labels new arts blueprint 'a breakthrough'

Lawmaker labels new arts blueprint 'a breakthrough'

Lawmaker labels new arts blueprint 'a breakthrough'

Lawmaker labels new arts blueprint 'a breakthrough'