RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS
procure sufficient quantities of stock. Incoming consignments were received beyond midnight and, in addition, the operating hours of the Kwai Chung Main Store were extended during Saturdays and Sundays to ensure there was an uninterrupted supply of materials to staff, especially during the peak period of the outbreak.
Responding to the call from the Government's newly formed Team Clean, for widespread action to improve the environment, the LCSD strengthened its enforcement action against unhygienic behaviour, such as littering and spitting at leisure and cultural venues and facilities, particularly during public holidays and weekends, in all 18 districts. Officers of the department issued some 170 fixed penalty tickets to littering/spitting offenders and served 15 summonses on spitting offenders during the period from March to June.
The Arts
It is the Government's policy to create an environment that is conducive to freedom of expression and artistic creation and that encourages free participation in all aspects of cultural life.
Culture and Heritage Commission
The Culture and Heritage Commission was established by the Government in 2000. It is a high-level advisory body responsible for advising the Government on cultural policies as well as funding priorities in culture and the arts. The commission's key responsibility is to formulate a set of principles and strategies to promote the long- term development of culture in Hong Kong.
The commission published its first consultation report entitled 'Gathering of Talents. for Continual Innovation' and the second consultation paper 'Identity with Diversity: Evolution through Innovation' in March 2001 and November 2002, respectively. After two rounds of consultation, the commission submitted its Policy Recommendation Report to the Government in April 2003. The Government accepted 90 per cent of the recommendations put forth in the report and would study the rest.
Hong Kong Arts Development Council
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) was established by ordinance. in 1995 to plan, promote and support the broad development of the arts including literary, performing, visual and film arts as well as arts education in Hong Kong.
In addition to providing financial assistance to local artists and arts organisations, the HKADC is dedicated to creating a conducive environment for arts development. During the year, the HKADC, in collaboration with various public and private organisations as well as government departments, organised a variety of projects, with the aim of bringing the arts closer to the public. These included the 4th Hong Kong Literature Festival, jointly organised with the LCSD; the Hong Kong Book Fair, co-presented with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; the Art Boutiques, co-organised with the MTR Property Management; the Arts Education Expo, organised in association with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum; Gallery Ferry, jointly organised with the LCSD's Art Promotion Office, New World First Ferry Services Ltd and New World First Bus Services Ltd; and the Arts Appreciation Zone, a regular newspaper column jointly presented with Ming Pao.
The introduction of the 'Artwork on Loan' Scheme was a milestone in promoting the arts in Hong Kong. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Central Library, the
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