378 Recreation, Sport and the Arts
fund, administered by a board of trustees. In 1994, the Jockey Club injected a further $22 million into the fund to meet increasing demand for support.
The fund awards scholarships to enable young people to pursue an integrated programme of post-diploma/post-graduate studies or professional training in music or dance at leading institutions or to undertake less formal studies, projects or creative work outside Hong Kong.
During the year, the fund awarded six scholarships worth about $3.36 million.
Music Office
The Music Office promotes knowledge and appreciation of music in the community, especially among young people, through the provision of instrumental and ensemble training and the organisation of various music activities with a view to building a new generation of concert audiences. It also organises international music exchange programmes to foster sharing of music among local young musicians and their counterparts across the world. In 2008, it provided music training to a total of 8 050 trainees under its three training programmes and its music promotional activities attracted 160 000 participants.
Cultural Venues
Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Since its inauguration in 1989, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre has established itself as Hong Kong's premier performing arts venue, attracting leading artists from around the world. It has three main performance venues: the Concert Hall, with a seating capacity of 2 019, the Grand Theatre, seating 1 734, and the Studio Theatre which seats 303 to 496 people. In 2008, more than 800 100 people attended 832 performances at these venues.
Hong Kong City Hall
Hong Kong City Hall, which was built in Hong Kong in 1962, is a major multi-purpose complex comprising a 1 434-seat concert hall, a 463-seat theatre, a 111-seat recital hall, an exhibition hall and an exhibition gallery. A total of 734 events were held there during the year, attracting over 423 700 people.
Regional and District Civic Centres
The LCSD runs 11 regional and district civic centres, bringing the arts to the community. They comprise the Sheung Wan and Sai Wan Ho Civic Centres on Hong Kong Island; the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre and Ko Shan Theatre in Kowloon; and the Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, and Tuen Mun Town Halls, the Kwai Tsing Theatre, Yuen Long Theatre, North District Town Hall and Tai Po Civic Centre in the New Territories.
Venue Partnership Scheme
As an arts development initiative recommended for implementation in a study entitled Committee on Performing Arts Recommendation Report (1) published in 2006, the Venue Partnership Scheme aims to foster a partnership between venues and performing arts groups and organisations with the prime objectives of building