Recreation, Sport and the Arts | 391
project in which the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, New World First Bus Services Limited, New World First Ferry Services Limited and Citybus Limited took part. Artworks selected through an open competition were reproduced for a six- month display in bus compartments and at ferry Pier 5 in Central. The 'New Face of Heritage - Installation of Public Artworks at Yat Tung Estate, Tung Chung, Stage Two' project, jointly organised with the Housing Department, was completed with 10 outdoor artworks being commissioned and installed. Together with the works of Stage One project, a beautiful art walk paved by 26 art pieces was formed for the first time in a public estate.
A major community art scheme, 'Artists in the Neighbourhood Scheme III' was carried out through a display of the latest works of outstanding local artists in various districts. Fourteen mobile exhibitions were set up for eight selected artists at venues belonging to the department and its partners.
Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre
The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, with nine art studios, a lecture theatre, an exhibition hall and a multi-purpose room, focuses on training in the visual arts, promotion and providing facilities for professionals to hire. The '5th Art Specialist Course', which covered five disciplines ceramics, printmaking, painting, sculpture and ink painting - was designed for art lovers who want to pursue structured professional art training. To support and promote the development of Hong Kong art, the centre has also organised a series of 'Artist in Residence Programme' to invite the participation of the award-winning artists of the Hong Kong Art Biennial 2005.
Central Conservation Section
The primary role of the Central Conservation Section is to conserve the collections of public museums, for the benefit of the present and future generation. To do this, the section formulated and implemented treatment plans for a total of 940 cultural objects, including paintings, documents, prints, textiles, metals, ceramics, organic materials and archaeological finds.
A conservation programme for Kom Tong Hall was completed during the year.
The historic 511-tonne Fireboat Alexander Grantham was successfully lifted on to land and installed in its permanent site at Quarry Bay Park in March 2006. A gallery is being built for the boat which will go on public display in mid-2007.
As a continuum of the series of exhibitions at the Hong Kong International Airport, the conservation section staged a new thematic display entitled 'Rhyme of White' at Gate 35 of the Departures Hall to feature a fine selection of white ceramics and marble drawn from the collections of the Hong Kong Museum of Art in March 2006.
As part of its educational and extension activities, the section organised 44 workshops, guided tours, thematic talks and seminars, which attracted a total of
1 280 visitors.