Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts
In commemoration of the HKSAR's 20th anniversary, 'Hall of Mental Cultivation of The Palace Museum - Imperial Residence of Eight Emperors' was held at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum between June and October, featuring valuable artefacts that educated the public on the political, historical and cultural importance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, or Yangxin Dian, in history. About 20 staircases in different districts were also decorated with artworks selected from the Museum of Art's collection from March to December. The project, 'City Dress Up: Blossoming Stairs, was curated under a floral theme. The decorations were changed seasonally to give the public a fresh experience, while educational programmes, artist workshops, as well as tours for the disabled were arranged to coincide with the project. Graffiti and animation works created by participants of 'Summer Art Cadets 2017 - Graffiti-Teen Stairs' were also shown on the staircases.
The third phase of the Jockey Club's 'Museum of Art on Wheels' outreach learning programme was launched in October. This is a moving art museum designed for primary and secondary students. It tours various schools and the community, bringing art appreciation to every corner of the city during the museum's renovation. The pilot scheme of the programme gained recognition in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2017, winning the silver prize in the Team Award (General Public Service). Since the 2015-16 school year, the programme had visited 180 schools and served 70,000 students and members of the public.
The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, a branch of the Museum of Art, features tea ware and related implements from the collection of the late Dr. K S Lo, as well as rare Chinese ceramics and seals donated by the K S Lo Foundation. Regular activities introduce the art of tea drinking. The museum organised the Tea Ware by Hong Kong Potters 2018 competition in December, at the same time displaying winning works from the 2016 competition that were functional yet creative, presenting new styles of local tea ware creation. 'The Legacy of Liangzhu Culture: Neolithic Relics from the Zhejiang Provincial Museum' exhibition opened in March. The tea ware museum welcomed 209,000 visitors in 2017.
The Museum of Art will reopen in mid-2019 after renovation.
Hong Kong Museum of History
The Hong Kong Museum of History in Tsim Sha Tsui runs the permanent exhibition, 'The Hong Kong Story. It staged three other exhibitions in 2017: 'The Legend of Hong Kong Toys, 'Longevity and Virtues: Birthday Celebrations of the Qing Emperors and Empress Dowagers' and 'Miles upon Miles: World Heritage along the Silk Road. More than 1,597,800 people visited during the year.
Two special programmes enable community groups to understand the city's history and cultural heritage. 'Inclusive Life: Museum for All - Interactivity Scheme' offers people with disabilities guided tours and workshops, while 'Caring for the Community' holds outreach activities for ethnic minorities, youngsters, the elderly, families and new immigrants.
The museum works with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Lingnan University and Chu Hai College of Higher Education to organise public seminars and lectures on the history
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