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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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System'. All have proved to be popular and the total number of visitors for the Space Theatre Presentations and exhibitions is expected to reach one-and-half a million this year, which is about double the attendance last year.
An Astronomical Observation Award Scheme has been introduced in September 1986 and astronomy films and lectures were also being organized for the first time this year. Plans are also in hand to revise and update the exhibits in the Exhibition Halls over the next two years.
Museum of History
Pending the provision of a permanent building, the Museum of History continued to pursue its interim expansion and up-grading of services in Kowloon Park. A new extension to the existing building to provide an additional 1,200 m2 of display area was approved. Construction work will commence in July 1987 and the extension will be completed by February 1989. A review is being undertaken of the collection and exhibitions for the new extension in conjunction with the Honourable Advisers and other experts. In addition, plans to convert Law UK, a 200-year old Hakka House at Chai Wan, into a folk Museum has been finalized and construction work is expected to be completed by mid-1988.
As regards existing services, the year witnessed a major development in educational and extension services. A regular Museum Weekend Programme was introduced for the first time as from July 1986 to provide free educational entertainment to the public in the form of lectures, demonstrations, film shows, video and slide programmes on subjects related to local history, archaeology, ethnography and natural history. Organized visits to the Museum from schools and local communities continued to be a popular feature throughout the year.
The most popular exhibition of the year was the 'Hong Kong As Time Goes By' Historical Photograph Exhibition organized jointly with Radio Television Hong Kong which attracted over one hundred thousand visitors in September 1986, representing an average daily attendance of 8,170, the second highest figure ever recorded by the Museum.
Conclusion
Hong Kong is now experiencing a rapid expansion of museum services and this will gather even greater momentum over the next few years when several major museum projects will be completed. The total capital cost of these projects represents a considerable financial investment on the part of the Council, but when completed, the new museums will considerably enrich the cultural life of Hong Kong. To counteract the substantially increased expenditure and involve the community more closely with these services, we will need to examine ways to increase the audience and revenue bases of the museums by way of sponsorship, donations, membership and other schemes, and support from the community would be most appreciated and will be vigorously pursued.
(in Cantonese):-
PART 2
Next as Chairman of the H.K. Philharmonic Society's General Committee I would like to speak briefly about the Orchestra. We are now at our 12th Season as a professional group. A decade of life for a symphony orchestra is a short one, but the justification for such a group to exist is I believe clearly demonstrated in the remarkable record of achievement in such a relatively short period.
However a sense of achievement is not an excuse for complacency or being totally satisfied with the progress so far. Quite the opposite, more effort has to be given to scaling greater heights of artistic work in the future. It is manifestly obvious that Hong Kong needs an orchestra of first-class status in the future, and the route to that goal will be difficult, but nevertheless must reflect the international status of the city as a whole. An orchestra's role in the society of Hong Kong is complex. It has a local part to play in attracting audiences across the social spectrum and differing cultural backgrounds. This it has tried to do with some success, however we are ambitious to give more emphasis to people new to fine music, young people and students, whilst still providing the established concert goer with interesting repertoire. A greater emphasis on educational work in its widest sense is enthusiastically being pursued. Ambassadorially the orchestra has an increasing cultural role to play. Its recent tour to China early in 1986 and also South Korea in September with a projected tour to Japan next season gives a clear undertaking by the Society of its desire to establish cultural bridges between countries.
In August this year Mr. Stephen CRABTREE joined the society as the new General Manager taking up the post vacated by Mr. John DUFFUS.
His wide experience in the international orchestral sphere particularly in London is of value to Hong Kong, so that we as a Society can build on the artistic achievement of the past years and develop into the future. Money for the arts will always be at the forefront of our mind, and the Urban Council can be congratulated for its commitment to culture in general and the orchestra in particular. More support will be needed and whilst the Society is mindful of the need to expand its box-office support and the money from corporate bodies and individuals, it is nevertheless vital to our improvement that funding is expanded from the public purse. In the search for private funds whether from corporations or individuals we have engaged in September of this year a full-time Development Director, Miss Angela Lo to undertake this difficult task, with very encouraging initial results. We do however believe that all successful orchestras need committed support from its public bodies and thus far the Urban Council has given us that encouraging support.
It would be a mistake to view private monies as the main avenue for future funding. The generating of millions of dollars of new income from this area is
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