West Kowloon Cultural District Authority welcomes 2022-23 Budget

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA or the Authority) welcomes the provision of additional resources to promote arts and cultural development as proposed by the Financial Secretary in the 2022-23 Budget.

Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen, Chairman of the Board of WKCDA, said, ‘I am pleased to note that the HKSAR Government continues to commit additional resources to  furthering the development of arts and culture, which in turn is conducive to promoting the development of Hong Kong into an international cultural hub and supporting the fulfilment of Hong Kong’s new positioning as an East‑meets‑West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five‑Year Plan.’

In particular, the WKCDA welcomes the allocation of $37 million over the next six years to provide professional training for conservators, including those from the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM).

Mr Tang added, ‘As HKPM will present over 900 finest objects from the Palace Museum in its opening exhibitions and gradually establish its permanent collection, it is of utmost importance to preserve and conserve these invaluable artefacts. We warmly welcome the proposed initiative which will help nurture more museum conservators for Hong Kong.’

‘In addition, HKPM will launch a series of educational activities on heritage conservation after its opening in July 2022 so as to enhance students’ understanding and interest in Chinese culture. The initiative proposed in the Budget will provide training opportunities for young people aspiring to join the work of cultural heritage conservation and support HKPM’s effort in establishing a professional team of local conservators thereby enabling the transmission of cultural heritage.’

The Authority is committed to facilitating the development of cultural and creative industries and enhancing cultural exchange and cooperation between Hong Kong, Mainland and overseas. As a unique cultural hub of Hong Kong, the West Kowloon Cultural District will continue to present the best of the eastern and western culture to visitors from Hong Kong and around the world, and to support Hong Kong’s development into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

Remarks

About the West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects in the world. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong on forty hectares of reclaimed land located alongside Victoria Harbour. With a varied mix of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, the West Kowloon Cultural District will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances, and cultural events, providing twenty-three hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.

About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Hong Kong Palace Museum aspires to become one of the world’s leading cultural institutions committed to the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture, while advancing dialogue among world civilisations through international partnerships. Scheduled to open in July 2022, the Museum is a collaborative project between the WKCDA and the Palace Museum. The capital cost of the Museum is fully funded by a donation of HK$3.5 billion from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Embracing new curatorial approaches, the Museum will offer a Hong Kong perspective and a global vision, presenting the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Through innovative research and travelling exhibitions, as well as educational, cultural, and professional exchange programmes, the Museum will build international partnerships and help position Hong Kong as a hub for art and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. As a world-class institution, the Museum is, at heart, a cultural resource that belongs to the community of Hong Kong. And as a dynamic platform, it will inspire community engagement, foster dialogue and partnerships, and promote creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.