Recreation, Sport and the Arts 371
To strengthen co-operation between the local arts community and their Mainland and overseas counterparts, the HKADC took part in organising regional and international events. These included the arts and cultural activities of the Hong Kong Day at the fourth China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair in May, the third Guangzhou Triennial, and the 11th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition. Participation in the latter was organised by the HKADC and the Hong Kong Institute of Architects.
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Established in 1984 with an autonomous governing council, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts offers professional education, training and research facilities in the entertainment arts, including theatre, film and television.
During the year, the academy launched the Master of Fine Arts (Theatre and Entertainment Arts). This followed the establishment of the Master of Fine Arts (Dance) and Master of Music programmes during the preceding two years. These four postgraduate programmes attracted a total of 73 students. The academy also successfully completed a Programme Area Accreditation exercise giving the institution self-accreditation status.
As part of the academy's internationalisation strategy, it played host to the Symposium on Cultural Leadership in October 2008. This aims to provide training to local arts administrators to strengthen Hong Kong's cultural environment in anticipation of the Western Kowloon Cultural District development.
In 2008, the academy's Extension and Continuing Education for Life (EXCEL) programme enrolled 6 949 participants in 352 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.
The centre serves as a hub, provided with all the essentials and backing for the development of the arts and creativity. The 19-storey building houses galleries, theatres, cinema, studios, classrooms and offices all under one roof. It 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 both in the Arts Centre Building and other locations. These included the '14th Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards', which received wide support from young talent, the 'Hooves on the Moves Exhibition' echoing the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events in Hong Kong, the 'Hong Kong Arts Centre 30th Anniversary