Hong Kong cultural policy
Encyclopedia
Hong Kong cultural policy refers to the development and preservation of Hong Kong
's arts and cultural heritage. Globally, Hong Kong is perhaps best known for its role as an international financial centre and shopping mecca, and not for its artistic and cultural offerings. The popular stereotype of the city holds that its residents are far too focused on getting and spending to concern themselves with the ephemeral affairs of art and culture.
Yet in recent years the city's government, residents, and the media have brought more attention to the development of the city's arts scene and preservation of the former British colony's unique cultural heritage. It has been argued that the role of art and culture in Hong Kong has taken on increasing prominence in city's search for an identity in the ten years since China
resumed sovereignty over the territory. The limitations on democracy in post-colonial Hong Kong may lead more residents to seek expression or confirmation of their identities through arts and culture.
(LCSD) and the Arts and Development Council (ADC). The government's formal cultural policy statement is available on the website of the Home Affairs Bureau
.
The ADC is a statutory body established in 1995 to replace the former Council of Performing Arts. The ADC is responsible for promoting broad development of the arts, makes recommendations to the government on cultural policy and development and provides funding for cultural organizations. However, the ADC has been criticized for lacking the executive power and resources to implement policies directly. The current chief executive of the ADC, Jonathan Yu, took up his position in April 2005 after more than two decades with the Kowloon–Canton Railway Corporation.
The LCSD organizes artistic and cultural activities and manages a number of cultural facilities. LCSD manages 15 performance venues and 16 museums throughout Hong Kong. The Antiquities and Monuments Office
, part of the LCSD, is responsible for heritage conservation
and education in Hong Kong.
The Culture and Heritage Commission (CHC) was set up in April 2000 to advise on cultural policy and funding priorities. Its Policy Recommendation Report, submitted in April 2003, has been adopted as the blueprint for Hong Kong's cultural policy. The CHC set forth six general principles to guide Hong Kong's cultural policy: The six principles are "people-oriented", "pluralism", "freedom of expression and protection of intellectual property", "holistic approach", "partnership" and "community-driven."
Other proposed policy reforms include increased corporatization of government-sponsored cultural organizations, small scale public-private partnerships, and the controversial West Kowloon Cultural District Development Project
.
The government has commissioned a number of studies on Hong Kong's creative industries and cultural policy. Yet to date, many of the ongoing policy issues have not been resolved. Critics have complained of the government's over-reliance on advisory committees and consultations in managing cultural affairs on the grounds that it is inefficient and contrary to global trends in arts administration.
In the 2006-2007 Policy Address, Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang
announced that the Arts and Sport Development Fund would receive US $5 million dollars to support cultural activities.
The ADC receives an annual subvention of around US $12 million dollars from the Home Affairs Bureau and around US $3 million on average from the Arts and Sports Development Fund. In addition to providing grants to arts groups, the ADC has established an Arts Service Centre in Sheung Wan
to provide office space and facilities for smaller arts organizations.
The LCSD provides funding for the annual Hong Kong Arts Festival
and nine professional performing companies: the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
, Hong Kong Sinfonietta
, Hong Kong Dance Company, Hong Kong Ballet
, City Contemporary Dance Company
, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Chung Ying Theatre, Zuni Icosahedron and Theatre Ensemble . In addition to individual events, it also organizes two arts festivals per year: the summer International Arts Carnival for families and children, and a themed arts festival in the fall.
have received worldwide critical acclaim and have been remade into blockbuster films by Hollywood, while Hong Kong directors and actors (such as John Woo
, Jackie Chan
, Michelle Yeoh
and Chow Yun-fat
) have gone on to find crossover success in Hollywood.
Hong Kong's film industry has suffered since its last heyday of the 1980s and early 1990s, and the government has recently introduced measures to boost the film industry but this has failed miserably. The death of the Arts in Hong Kong is in large part due to an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship that the Hong Kong Chinese imposed upon themselves after the 1997 handover.
In the 2006-2007 Policy Address the Chief Executive proposed the establishment of a Hong Kong Film Development Council to support film production in the city. In his the 2007-2008 budget, Financial Secretary Henry Tang
announced that US$40 million would be earmarked for a new fund to finance film production and professional development within the industry.
in December 2006 led to widely publicized protests, the government is reviewing its policies on heritage conservation. The Antiquities and Monuments Office has published a list of 491 graded historic structures throughout the territory, though no decision has been made on the extent of protection for these buildings.
Hong Kong's collective memory, as manifested in its street markets, food culture
, and artisanal traditions, is also being integrated into the city's cultural policy.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
's arts and cultural heritage. Globally, Hong Kong is perhaps best known for its role as an international financial centre and shopping mecca, and not for its artistic and cultural offerings. The popular stereotype of the city holds that its residents are far too focused on getting and spending to concern themselves with the ephemeral affairs of art and culture.
Yet in recent years the city's government, residents, and the media have brought more attention to the development of the city's arts scene and preservation of the former British colony's unique cultural heritage. It has been argued that the role of art and culture in Hong Kong has taken on increasing prominence in city's search for an identity in the ten years since China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
resumed sovereignty over the territory. The limitations on democracy in post-colonial Hong Kong may lead more residents to seek expression or confirmation of their identities through arts and culture.
Cultural policy
The administration of arts and culture in Hong Kong has undergone major changes since Hong Kong's handover to China in 1997. Cultural matters, previously under the auspices of the two Municipal Councils, now fall mainly under the purview of the Leisure and Cultural Services DepartmentLeisure and Cultural Services Department
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department , often abbreviated as LCSD, is a department in the Government of Hong Kong. It reports to the Home Affairs Bureau, headed by the Secretary for Home Affairs. It provides leisure and cultural activities for the people of Hong Kong, which was also one of...
(LCSD) and the Arts and Development Council (ADC). The government's formal cultural policy statement is available on the website of the Home Affairs Bureau
Home Affairs Bureau
Home Affairs Bureau is one of the policy bureaux of the Hong Kong Government.One of the important roles of the Home Affairs Bureau is to enhance liaison and communication with all sectors of the community including the Legislative Council and the general public.Tsang Tak-sing has been the...
.
The ADC is a statutory body established in 1995 to replace the former Council of Performing Arts. The ADC is responsible for promoting broad development of the arts, makes recommendations to the government on cultural policy and development and provides funding for cultural organizations. However, the ADC has been criticized for lacking the executive power and resources to implement policies directly. The current chief executive of the ADC, Jonathan Yu, took up his position in April 2005 after more than two decades with the Kowloon–Canton Railway Corporation.
The LCSD organizes artistic and cultural activities and manages a number of cultural facilities. LCSD manages 15 performance venues and 16 museums throughout Hong Kong. The Antiquities and Monuments Office
Antiquities and Monuments Office
Antiquities and Monuments Office was established when the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance was enacted in 1976, to preserve Hong Kong's monuments under appropriate protection....
, part of the LCSD, is responsible for heritage conservation
Heritage conservation in Hong Kong
This article details the history and status of Heritage conservation in Hong Kong, as well as the role of various stakeholders.An indication of the size of the built heritage in Hong Kong is given by a territory-wide survey conducted by the Antiquities and Monuments Office between 1996 and 2000,...
and education in Hong Kong.
The Culture and Heritage Commission (CHC) was set up in April 2000 to advise on cultural policy and funding priorities. Its Policy Recommendation Report, submitted in April 2003, has been adopted as the blueprint for Hong Kong's cultural policy. The CHC set forth six general principles to guide Hong Kong's cultural policy: The six principles are "people-oriented", "pluralism", "freedom of expression and protection of intellectual property", "holistic approach", "partnership" and "community-driven."
Other proposed policy reforms include increased corporatization of government-sponsored cultural organizations, small scale public-private partnerships, and the controversial West Kowloon Cultural District Development Project
West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District is a proposed and developing project to boost cultural and entertainment establishments at Hong Kong, SAR...
.
The government has commissioned a number of studies on Hong Kong's creative industries and cultural policy. Yet to date, many of the ongoing policy issues have not been resolved. Critics have complained of the government's over-reliance on advisory committees and consultations in managing cultural affairs on the grounds that it is inefficient and contrary to global trends in arts administration.
Funding and support for the arts
The Hong Kong government allocates around US $300 million (US$43 per capita) per year. for culture and arts, which accounts for about 1 percent of total government spending. The HKSAR Government claims that this is "broadly comparable to that in some Western countries" such as France. However in monatery terms France's per capita spend for culture is 197.20 Euro/US$250 per year. There is due to the fact that Hong Kong's public spending as a percentage of GDP is low compared with other developed nations. On average Government expenditures were more than 40% of GDP in OECD countries in 2001. In 2008 the French government’s expenditure amounted to over 50% of its total GDP, whereas Hong Kong’s figure is around 19%.In the 2006-2007 Policy Address, Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang
Donald Tsang
Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, GBM, KBE is the current Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council of the Government of Hong Kong....
announced that the Arts and Sport Development Fund would receive US $5 million dollars to support cultural activities.
The ADC receives an annual subvention of around US $12 million dollars from the Home Affairs Bureau and around US $3 million on average from the Arts and Sports Development Fund. In addition to providing grants to arts groups, the ADC has established an Arts Service Centre in Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan is an area in Hong Kong, located in the north-west of Hong Kong Island, between Central and Sai Ying Pun. Administratively, it is part of the Central and Western District...
to provide office space and facilities for smaller arts organizations.
The LCSD provides funding for the annual Hong Kong Arts Festival
Hong Kong Arts Festival
Hong Kong Arts Festival , founded in 1973, is a focus programmes for the Culture of Hong Kong, in order to provides a wide range of art programmes from all over the world....
and nine professional performing companies: the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra , is the largest symphony orchestra in Hong Kong. First established in 1895 as an amateur orchestra, under the name Sino-British Orchestra, it was renamed the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in 1957, and became a professional orchestra in 1974 under the funding...
, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is an orchestra of Chinese traditional instruments based in Hong Kong. It was established in 1977 and comprises 85 musicians. The Artistic Director and Principal Conductor is Yan Huichang.-External links:**...
, Hong Kong Sinfonietta
Hong Kong Sinfonietta
The Hong Kong Sinfonietta is a professional symphony orchestra based in Hong Kong, China. It was established in 1990 by a group of local music graduates. It has always aimed at promoting classical music to the public. The orchestra was reorganized 1999, with Tsung Yeh, an American conductor of...
, Hong Kong Dance Company, Hong Kong Ballet
Hong Kong Ballet
The Hong Kong Ballet is Hong Kong's leading professional ballet company, and also the famous group for Classical Ballet, since it founded in 1979....
, City Contemporary Dance Company
City Contemporary Dance Company
City Contemporary Dance Dompany is a leading modern dance company in Hong Kong. In 1979, Willy Tsao founded the company and is now the Artistic Director and Chief Executive Director. The company is supported by the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.CCDC's performances reflect...
, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Chung Ying Theatre, Zuni Icosahedron and Theatre Ensemble . In addition to individual events, it also organizes two arts festivals per year: the summer International Arts Carnival for families and children, and a themed arts festival in the fall.
Film industry
Globally, Hong Kong's most noted contribution in terms of arts and culture has come through its film industry, which is the world's third largest (after Hollywood and Bollywood). Hong Kong filmsCinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
have received worldwide critical acclaim and have been remade into blockbuster films by Hollywood, while Hong Kong directors and actors (such as John Woo
John Woo
John Woo Yu-Sen SBS is a Hong Kong-based film director and producer. Recognized for his stylised films of highly choreographed action sequences, Mexican standoffs, and use of slow-motion, Woo has directed several notable Hong Kong action films, among them, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard...
, Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
, Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh Choo-Kheng is a Hong Kong-based Malaysian Chinese actress, well known for performing her own stunts in the action films that brought her to fame in the early 1990s....
and Chow Yun-fat
Chow Yun-Fat
Chow Yun-fat, SBS is an actor from Hong Kong. He is best known in Asia for his collaboration with filmmaker John Woo in heroic bloodshed genre films A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, and Hard Boiled; and to the West for his role as Li Mu-bai in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon...
) have gone on to find crossover success in Hollywood.
Hong Kong's film industry has suffered since its last heyday of the 1980s and early 1990s, and the government has recently introduced measures to boost the film industry but this has failed miserably. The death of the Arts in Hong Kong is in large part due to an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship that the Hong Kong Chinese imposed upon themselves after the 1997 handover.
In the 2006-2007 Policy Address the Chief Executive proposed the establishment of a Hong Kong Film Development Council to support film production in the city. In his the 2007-2008 budget, Financial Secretary Henry Tang
Henry Tang
Henry Tang Ying-yen, GBM, GBS, JP was the Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong until his resignation in September 2011. He is a candidate in the Hong Kong Chief Executive election of 2012, and believed to be preferred by Beijing....
announced that US$40 million would be earmarked for a new fund to finance film production and professional development within the industry.
Events
Hong Kong is home to numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year. Those that receive significant public funding include:- Hong Kong Arts FestivalHong Kong Arts FestivalHong Kong Arts Festival , founded in 1973, is a focus programmes for the Culture of Hong Kong, in order to provides a wide range of art programmes from all over the world....
– February/March - Hong Kong International Film FestivalHong Kong International Film FestivalThe Hong Kong International Film Festival is a platform for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch and experience new film work. There are seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and parties celebrating the festival community...
– March/April - Hong Kong International Arts Carnival – July/August
- New Vision Arts Festival – October/November
Arts education
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts is Hong Kong's only tertiary institution devoted to the performing arts, film, television and related technical arts.Heritage conservation and collective memory
After the demolition of the Star Ferry PierEdinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, often referred to as the "Star Ferry" Pier, was a pier in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong; the pier, with its clock tower, was a prominent waterfront landmark...
in December 2006 led to widely publicized protests, the government is reviewing its policies on heritage conservation. The Antiquities and Monuments Office has published a list of 491 graded historic structures throughout the territory, though no decision has been made on the extent of protection for these buildings.
Hong Kong's collective memory, as manifested in its street markets, food culture
Cuisine of Hong Kong
Hong Kong cuisine is influenced by Cantonese cuisine and parts of non-Cantonese-speaking China , Western world, Japan, and Southeast Asia, due to Hong Kong's past as a British colony and long history of being an international city of commerce...
, and artisanal traditions, is also being integrated into the city's cultural policy.
External links
- HKSAR Government Home Affairs Bureau Cultural Policy
- Chief Executive Donald Tsang’s letter to Hong Kong on heritage preservation
- Website of the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department
- Website of the Antiquities and Monuments Office
- Website of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council
- Centre for Cultural Policy Research, University of Hong Kong