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ACAD launches Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme
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The following is issued on behalf of the Advisory Committee on Arts Development:

     The Advisory Committee on Arts Development (ACAD) will tomorrow (June 17) launch the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme (ACDFS) to enhance capacity development of local artists and arts groups.

     Speaking at a media briefing today (June 16), Chairman of ACAD, Mr Chung Shui-ming, said, "The Funding Scheme seeks to fund applications that contribute to the objectives of programme/contents development, audience building, arts education and capacity development.  It aims to supplement existing funding schemes for the arts and, in particular, to provide new funding opportunities to enhance capacity development for promising arts groups and practitioners, and activities/projects of a large scale and/or of a long time frame."

     An annual provision of approximately $30 million will be disbursed under the ACDFS in the form of Springboard Grants and Project Grants.

     Springboard Grants are matching grants that support arts groups in their overall development, elevating them to a higher level of professional operation.  The minimum pledged sponsorship or income of arts groups is $1 million, one quarter of which (i.e. $250,000) has to come from non-government sponsorship or private donation.  A 200% matching grant up to a maximum amount of $3 million may be provided and the funding period may last for a maximum of two years.  Successful applicants with proven performance may apply for a consecutive Springboard Grant up to a maximum amount of $4.5 million in a maximum funding period of three years.  A maximum grant of $7.5 million for two terms of support in five years will help promote the growth of arts groups.

     "The provision of funding support by means of matching grants is a new initiative in the arts sector.  The objective is to enhance the support for small and medium arts groups, strengthening their fundraising capability and incentivising them to explore various types of funding sources, which will indirectly broaden their audience base.  At the same time, the Scheme seeks to cultivate a supportive culture for the arts in the community and hence foster a tripartite partnership among the Government, arts groups and the private sector to promote arts and cultural development in Hong Kong," Mr Chung said.

     Project Grants will provide arts practitioners and arts groups with funding support ranging from $1 million to $2 million to organise larger scale arts projects.  The overall budget of the funded activities/projects should be at or above $1 million, without support from other public funding sources.  

     Assessment criteria for the applications include artistic/professional merit, creativity and originality, impact on the arts sector and the community, technical feasibility, financial viability, track record and execution capability of the applicant and participating artists.  To avoid double subsidy, the ACDFS will not accept applications from arts groups which are receiving recurrent subvention from the Government.

     The Guide to Application and relevant materials have been uploaded onto the website of the Home Affairs Bureau (www.hab.gov.hk).

     Mr Chung said that ACAD had hosted three focus group meetings for the representatives of small and medium arts groups and arts practitioners in January this year.  Views were exchanged in regard to the objectives and content of the new funding scheme, categories of grants, eligibility and assessment criteria.  Participants' suggestions had been taken into account in finalising the details of the Scheme.

     Mr Chung welcomed applications from individual arts practitioners, ensembles and arts groups.  The ACDFS is open for application for three months from June 17 to September 16 (up to 6pm).  Application workshops will be organised by the ACAD and details will be announced on the website of the Home Affairs Bureau.  The ACAD envisages that the application results will be released before the end of this year.  

     The ACAD was set up in November 2010. Apart from continuing the work of the former Committee on Performing Arts and the Committee on Funding for the Performing Arts, the ACAD has expanded its scope to cover visual arts and other art forms. The current scope of ACAD's work includes implementation of the ACDFS, review of the funding mechanism of major performing arts groups, promotion of arts education, and encouragement of cultural exchange through the Arts Development Fund.  

Ends/Thursday, June 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:51

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