370 Recreation, Sport and the Arts
The HKADC took part in two cultural fairs during the year. These were: the '3rd China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair' and the '52nd International Art Exhibition: La Biennale di Venezia,' the latter held under the banner of 'Hong Kong, China'.
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Established by ordinance in 1984 with an autonomous governing council, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts offers professional training in dance, drama, music, film and television, theatre and entertainment arts, and Chinese traditional theatre.
During the year, the academy launched the Master of Fine Arts (Drama) in addition to the Master of Fine Arts (Dance) and the Master of Music programmes which started the year before. These three postgraduate programmes attracted a total of 37 students. The Performing Arts Education Centre, formally established in September 2007, has been strengthened to help the academy achieve its outreach goals and to engage in performing arts education.
As part of the academy's internationalisation strategy, the Juilliard School of New York was invited to Hong Kong by the academy to conduct international master classes and concerts in the summer. The Central Conservatory of Music and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, both collaborative partners of the academy, also participated in the classes and concerts. In December, the academy played host to the third European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA) Leadership Symposium, a meeting of key decision-makers on current debates in cultural management and leadership in arts education.
In 2007, the academy's Extension and Continuing Education for Life (EXCEL) programme enrolled nearly 7 220 participants in 375 arts courses.
Hong Kong Arts Centre
Established in 1974, the Hong Kong Arts Centre nurtures creativity, arts and culture by providing contemporary arts programmes and education in Hong Kong.
The centre serves as a hub, provided with all the essentials and backing for the development of the arts and creativity. The 19-storey centre houses galleries, theatres, cinema, studios, classrooms and offices all under one roof. It is one of few places in Hong Kong that can provide up to about 4 600 square metres of floor space for holding cultural and artistic events.
The Hong Kong Art School is the centre's educational arm. It can award sub- degrees, and runs courses in arts education, fine arts, and applied and media arts for which higher diplomas, bachelor's degrees and master's degrees are awarded.
The Arts Centre collaborated with different arts groups to hold a series of shows in public places. These included the '13th ifva' which received wide support from young talents, the 'Comix Home Base Finale Exhibition' which toured Singapore and