F
RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
Gay Film/Video Festival; Audience Cinema, a regular programme organised by the audience; the performing arts programmes Climatic Shorts 95; Showtime; Play- in-Progress; Festival Now; Taiwan U Theatre; and the education programmes Photography Seminar: Three Photographic Perspectives - Hong Kong, China, Taiwan; a series of lectures on Hong Kong Culture Pre and Post 1997 and Artists Talk series; seminar and workshop on Refiguring Culture and Interactive Multimedia Workshop by American experts; and a seminar on An Overall Review on Art Education.
Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund was set up in 1979 with a donation of $10 million from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club for the promotion and development of music and dance education. It is a non-statutory trust fund, administered by a board of trustees. In 1994, the club provided a further capital injection of $22 million to the fund to meet the increase in demand for support.
During 1995, the fund awarded 164 grants and 14 scholarships totalling $4.5 million. The scholarships enabled young people to study music or dance abroad at post-graduate level. The grants helped local schools and organisations to acquire or repair musical instruments and dance equipment, and to set up orchestras or dance groups.
Music Office
The Music Office was set up by the government in 1977 with the objective of promoting music among the public, especially among young people in Hong Kong, through the provision of music training. Apart from some major annual events like the music camp, music festival and overseas concert tour, about 300 regular concerts and district activities are organised. After an arts policy review in March 1993, the government decided to transfer the functions of the Music Office to the Municipal Councils. Both councils agreed to maintain the existing scope and level of services of the Music Office and the transfer was effected on August 1, 1995.
The British Council
One of the British Council's aims in the territory is to foster cultural understanding between Britain and Hong Kong through a balanced programme of music, drama, dance, exhibitions, literary events, film shows and related masterclasses and workshops. It also works in conjunction with the Urban Services Department, Regional Services Department, Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Education Department, and many other local organisations to support collaborative projects between British and local artists.
In 1994/5, the council jointly organised several arts events including: concerts by the early music group The King's Consort and UK participation in the exhibition Art and Electronics at the Hong Kong Arts Festival; Nigel Charnock's performance of Helle Bent and his production of How to Live by the Volcano Theatre Company during the Hong Kong Fringe Festival; and performances and workshops by the National Youth Music Theatre Company at the Hong Kong International Children's Arts Festival. It organised the British Film Week and an exhibition The Birth of the Movies to celebrate the centenary of cinema.
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