The Curriculum Development Institute of the Education Bureau (EDB) is holding the inaugural Hong Kong International Visual Arts Education Symposium 2026 from today (May 14) to May 16. Under the theme "Visual Innovation", the symposium covers various aspects of design education and seeks to nurture more creative and innovative talent in Hong Kong.
      
     Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Secretary for Education Dr Gloria Chan said that the EDB is committed to developing homegrown talent and empowering young people to master the global visual language, thereby actively strengthening Hong Kong's position as the creative capital of Asia. This symposium would help foster creativity and innovation, and nurture young talent in support of Hong Kong's development as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
      
     The three-day symposium aims to enhance the learning and teaching of visual arts and design, promote understanding of the latest developments in design and the application of innovative technologies within the industry among participating teachers and students, cultivate visual thinking and higher-order thinking skills, strengthen vocational and professional education and training, and provide a platform for exchanges between local and overseas students and teachers.
      
     The symposium brings together local and international experts and academics in visual arts and design to deliver keynote speeches and to conduct workshops and consultation sessions for participants. Organised around three sub-themes, namely "Design and Technology", "Design and Thinking", and "Design and Heritage", the symposium aims to deepen participants' understanding of the latest trends in design education and related fields, while inspiring cultural creativity and innovative vitality.
      
     In addition to local visual arts teachers, representatives from the arts education sectors in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Macao will also attend the symposium to foster professional exchange and collaboration to jointly nurture the next generation. The enthusiastic participation of local and overseas experts and representatives highlights Hong Kong's distinctive advantage of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world.
      
     The symposium is supported by 13 local tertiary institutions and academic partners, including City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Design Institute, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Lingnan University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Education University of Hong Kong, the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Hong Kong, and the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (listed in no particular order).
      
     Also, outstanding innovative design works by primary, secondary and tertiary students in Hong Kong will be exhibited at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Central Library during the symposium, and the public is welcome to view them during the library's normal opening hours.
      
     For details, please visit the EDB's website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/curriculum-development/kla/arts-edu/hivaes/index.html).

Ends/Thursday, May 14, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:58

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