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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, met representatives of the 10 major performing arts companies receiving recurrent Government subvention tonight (September 3) to exchange views on the development of the performing arts in Hong Kong.
The Secretary had a frank and sincere dialogue with the attending Board Directors/Members of the companies, their Artistic Directors and Executive Directors on the development of the performing arts in Hong Kong, including the pilot project of "Venue Partnership Scheme" soon to be launched by the Government. The companies expressed their support for the implementation of the scheme.
Apart from developing the cultural hardware, the companies also noted that there was a need to institute parallel measures to enhance our cultural software. This will include redoubled efforts to strengthen our arts education, the training of performing arts talents and the continued support to the performing arts companies.
The companies also commented on the "Venue Partnership Scheme" soon to be launched by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). The companies supported the scheme but were keen to see complementary measures put in place at the venues to support the pilot project.
They all welcomed the Government's plan to deploy more resources to support the launch of this pilot scheme which has as its objective the best use of the existing venue facilities. The companies indicated that they would be responding to the invitation for proposals under the LCSD Scheme in order to participate in the Scheme.
Ends/Monday, September 3, 2007
Issued at HKT 22:48
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