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c) whether, as a measure to promote the development of visual arts, the Government will consider giving tax concession to those who collect art pieces by local artists in the same way that donations to charities are given tax concessions, and
d) whether the Government intends to introduce regulations requiring all new buildings to have places for the display of art works by local artists; if not, why not?
Reply:*
1.
a) The Government is fully committed to the promotion and development of arts, including the visual arts, in Hong Kong. As a result of the Arts Policy Review conducted by the Government in 1993, the Government has established the new. statutory Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the scope, of which includes visual, film and literary arts in addition to the performing arts. One of the major functions of the Council as enshrined in its own Ordinance is to advise the Government on the policies, standard of provision of facilities, educational programmes, levels of funding and any other matters that may affect the planning, development, promotion and support of the arts. The Council is now formulating its first Five-year Strategic Plan, which includes policy objectives and action steps to promote the development of the arts, including, inter alias, the visual arts, arts education, and the encouragement of local artists. The draft Plan was released for public consultation in September this year. The Council aims to finalise its Plan by the end of this year. Upon receipt of the Plan, the Government will consider carefully its recommendations and resource requirements.
b) The Government is now considering the proposal to establish a Visual Arts Academy in Hong Kong which has been advocated by the arts community and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. This proposal requires careful consideration in the context of the overall development of Hong Kong's tertiary education system, and having regard to the financial implications. In parallel, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council will shortly commission a needs assessment study on the proposed Academy. The Government will take into account the findings of this needs assessment study, together with other relevant considerations in formulating our final position on the matter.
c) The Government has no intention of giving tax concessions to those who collect works of art by local artists as a means to promote the development of visual arts. It is not our policy to provide tax concessions as an incentive to encourage expenditure in a specific sector.