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The Home Affairs Bureau today (June 24) launched the Art Development Matching Grants Pilot Scheme (the Pilot Scheme) to help eligible local arts groups/organisations enhance their ability in raising donations and sponsorships through matching grants provided by the Government.
Eligible applicants for the Pilot Scheme include:
- Arts groups completed two rounds of Springboard Grants under the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme;
- Major performing arts groups (Chung Ying Theatre Company, City Contemporary Dance Company, Hong Kong Ballet, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Dance Company, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Hong Kong Sinfonietta and Zuni Icosahedron) and the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society; and
- The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC). All the matching grants received by the HKADC shall be fully deployed for supporting small and medium-sized local arts groups/artists.
A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) said, "Providing assistance to arts groups/organisations to help secure donations and sponsorships from different sectors of the community and diversify their funding sources will be conducive to the sustainable growth and healthy development of the arts sector, and promote understanding and collaboration between the arts sector and other sectors, thereby enhancing the interest and support of the whole community for arts and culture. The HKADC also plans to introduce and operate its own matching fund scheme under which small and medium-sized arts groups may receive matching grants from the HKADC for the amount of donations/sponsorships they raise.
"By including the above three categories of arts groups/arts organisations under the Pilot Scheme, arts groups and arts organisations of different sizes and at different development stages will have the opportunity to benefit from the Pilot Scheme (either through direct receipt of matching grants from the Government or through the proposed scheme run by the HKADC)."
The Financial Secretary announced in the 2015-16 Budget Speech that a provision of $300 million would be earmarked for the Pilot Scheme to help more established arts groups/organisations enhance their ability in raising donations and sponsorships through matching grants provided by the Government, thereby widening the sources of funding for arts groups/organisations and inculcate a donation culture for arts and cultural development.
Ends/Friday, June 24, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:03
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