******************************************************
An exercise to nominate representatives of arts interests for appointment to the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) (the Nomination Exercise) was launched today (March 15). Eligible arts organisations and individual arts workers who would like to participate in the Nomination Exercise are invited to submit an application to the Nomination Agent on or before April 25, 2013.
The HKADC is a statutory body set up to promote the development of arts in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive may appoint up to 10 persons nominated by the specified arts interests. The 10 specified arts interests are Arts Administration, Arts Criticism, Arts Education, Chinese Opera (Xiqu), Dance, Drama, Film Arts, Literary Arts, Music and Visual Arts. The current term of office of the HKADC members will expire on December 31, 2013. Eligible arts organisations and individual arts workers may apply to participate in the Nomination Exercise to nominate representatives of the respective arts interests for the Chief Executive's consideration of appointment as members of the HKADC for the next term.
Arts organisations and individual arts workers that meet the eligibility criteria in the application guidelines and wish to participate in the Nomination Exercise are required to submit an application according to the procedures in the guidelines during the first phase of the Nomination Exercise (March 15 to April 25).
A spokesperson for the HAB said, "The first phase of the nomination exercise is of paramount importance as only individual arts workers and the eligible members/employees of the arts organsations which have successfully applied to participate in the Nomination Exercise can take part in the subsequent phases of voter registration, nomination of candidates and voting."
The spokesperson also pointed out that arts organisations that participated in the Nomination Exercise in 2010 must complete and return the Confirmation Statement to the Nomination Agent on or before April 25, to confirm that they are bona fide arts organisations that aim at promoting the development of the arts, in order to continue to be eligible to take part in the 2013 Nomination Exercise.
The 2013 Nomination Exercise will be conducted in four phases as follows:
Phase 1: Application by arts organisations and individual arts workers for participation in the Nomination Exercise (March 15 to April 25)
Phase 2: Voter registration (end of May to early July) (tentative)
Phase 3: Candidate nomination (mid-July to mid-August) (tentative)
Phase 4: Electioneering and polling (late August to September) (tentative)
Following the close of the first phase, the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) will inform arts organisations and individual arts workers of the result of their applications through the Nomination Agent. The HAB will conduct voter registration in the next phase afterwards.
Application guidelines and registration forms are available at the following website and venues:
Website: www.voteforhkadc2013.hk¡@
Venues: HAB; HKADC; Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts; Hong Kong Arts Centre; Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre; civic centres, museums and major libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department; and Public Enquiry Services Centres of the District Offices.
Ends/Friday, March 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:07
NNNN
