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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(1) Members of the performing companies
(2) The repertoire
(3) Promotion
(1) Localization of members of the performing companies
The four performing companies of the Urban Council comprise a total of 187 full-time members. Of these only five are from overseas, and the rest of 182, local artists. In a recent exercise to recruit two directors for the Chinese Orchestra and the Repertory Theatre, priority was given to locals, qualifications, experience and artistic attainments being equal. But the Committee, after repeated discussions, has concluded that localization of the Urban Council subsidized Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra leaves something to be desired as 67 per cent of the musicians are still expatriates. Many of us hope that future graduates from the Academy of Performing Arts will improve the present situation.
(2) Localization of repertoire
On artistic creativity, the Committee has spared no efforts in encouraging original productions by local artists. In the current year, of the composers awarded a contract by the Chinese Orchestra, locals have increased to 98 per cent from 89 per cent in the previous year. On dramas, through the original play competition and the Drama Festival, the Committee has encouraged members of the Repertory Theatre to write plays on their own or under the guidance of the young producers. As for the Dance Company and the Chorus, the Committee has invited original productions from local artists to encourage more local artistic creativity.
On contents, adopted dramas will be translated as far as possible by local scholars or by the Artistic Director himself so that the dialogues will be rendered more familiar and localized. During the year 1985/86, six major plays and two small productions were staged, of which "The conflict', 'And the show must go on...' and 'Before the dawn-wind rises' are original works. On the other hand, the Dance Company hopes to produce dances of local colour and with the merits of both the Chinese and Western cultures by applying observations from the Chinese and the Hong Kong societies. While emphasizing localization of arts, the Committee will bear in mind the need for diversification. So we should have local productions as well as Chinese and foreign works.
(3) Promotion of local and district artistic activities
To cultivate an interest in arts among more people, the Committee has sent the Chinese Orchestra, the Repertory Theatre and the Dance Company to perform in schools and community centres from time to time. Extempore lectures are also given. Over twenty thousand students and local residents participate in such activities each year. By organizing drama and dance production competitions, we are actively fostering an interest in arts among the younger generation and seeking to keep potential local talents. We are also supporting other performing groups by sponsoring, jointly organizing or assisting in their activities. Good venues and stage facilities are made available to them at concessional rate or free of charge. We also make sure that over 60 per cent of the performances at the Council's venues are not our own presentations so as to allow other local performing groups opportunities to stage their performances. The Urban Council also vigorously supports community art festivals organized by the District Boards and artistic activities by community groups, in order to bring the arts to the communities.
(4) Outlook for the future
Since their establishment, the performing companies of the Urban Council have attracted a regular audience that is getting larger and larger. To further develop on this foundation, we need to introduce our performances to more people by touring round the territory.
On completion of the various regional civic centres in the next few years, the demand for artistic presentations will increase. In addition to amateur performances which are expected to emerge, the existing professional performing groups are required to give demonstration performances in the districts to popularize arts and enrich the presentations at district level.
The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, since its official opening in September 1985, has become a professional training centre for young local art-lovers. It will in time produce more artists for the professional performing groups in Hong Kong including the four performing companies of the Urban Council and contribute to the localization of arts.
On completion of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in 1990, Hong Kong will have a modern performing house for use by international performing companies and artists. It is hoped that in time it will narrow the gap between the local and overseas levels in arts and will further boost cultural and artistic activities in Hong Kong.
Lastly, I would like to raise three questions for discussion in future: (1) Direction of artistic activities:
Artistic activities in Hong Kong have had a diversified development so far, with increasing community activities in recent year, how are we going to maintain a balance between popularization at community level and high standard of art?
(2) On completion of various district civic centres and the territory-wide cultural centre, how could the two categories be fully utilized and be related to each other?
(3) Artistic activities often need financial support. In view of the increase in artistic activities, how can we have more sources of income?
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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ין
Page 115 of 195
198
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(1) Members of the performing companies
(2) The repertoire
(3) Promotion
(1) Localization of members of the performing companies
The four performing companies of the Urban Council comprise a total of 187 full-time members. Of these only five are from overseas, and the rest of 182, local artists. In a recent exercise to recruit two directors for the Chinese Orchestra and the Repertory Theatre, priority was given to locals, qualifications, experience and artistic attainments being equal. But the Committee, after repeated discussions, has concluded that localization of the Urban Council subsidized Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra leaves something to be desired as 67 per cent of the musicians are still expatriates. Many of us hope that future graduates from the Academy of Performing Arts will improve the present situation.
(2) Localization of repertoire
On artistic creativity, the Committee has spared no efforts in encourag- ing original productions by local artists. In the current year, of the composers awarded a contract by the Chinese Orchestra, locals have increased to 98 per cent from 89 per cent in the previous year. On dramas, through the original play competition and the Drama Festival, the Committee has encouraged members of the Repertory Theatre to write plays on their own or under the guidance of the young producers. As for the Dance Company and the Chorus, the Committee has invited original productions from local artists to encourage more local artistic creativity.
On contents, adopted dramas will be translated as far as possible by local scholars or by the Artistic Director himself so that the dialogues will be rendered more familiar and localized. During the year 1985/86, six major plays and two small productions were staged, of which "The conflict', 'And the show must go on...' and 'Before the dawn-wind rises' are original works. On the other hand, the Dance Company hopes to produce dances of local colour and with the merits of both the Chinese and Western cultures by applying observations from the Chinese and the Hong Kong societies. While emphasizing localization of arts, the Committee will bear in mind the need for diversification. So we should have local productions as well as Chinese and foreign works.
(3) Promotion of local and district artistic activities
To cultivate an interest in arts among more people, the Committee has sent the Chinese Orchestra, the Repertory Theatre and the Dance Company to perform in schools and community centres from time to time. Extempore lectures are also given. Over twenty thousand students and local residents participate in such activities each year. By organizing drama and dance production competitions, we are actively fostering an interest in arts among the younger generation and seeking to keep
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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199
potential local talents. We are also supporting other performing groups by sponsoring, jointly organizing or assisting in their activities. Good venues and stage facilities are made available to them at concessional rate or free of charge. We also make sure that over 60 per cent of the performances at the Council's venues are not our own presentations so as to allow other local performing groups opportunities to stage their performances. The Urban Council also vigorously supports community art festivals organized by the District Boards and artistic activities by community groups, in order to bring the arts to the communities. (4) Outlook for the future
Since their establishment, the performing companies of the Urban Council have attracted a regular audience that is getting larger and larger. To further develop on this foundation, we need to introduce our performances to more people by touring round the territory.
On completion of the various regional civic centres in the next few years, the demand for artistic presentations will increase. In addition to amateur performances which are expected to emerge, the existing professional performing groups are required to give demonstration performances in the districts to popularize arts and enrich the presentations at district level.
The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, since its official opening in September 1985, has become a professional training centre for young local art-lovers. It will in time produce more artists for the professional performing groups in Hong Kong including the four performing companies of the Urban Council and contribute to the localization of arts.
On completion of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in 1990, Hong Kong will have a modern performing house for use by international performing companies and artists. It is hoped that in time it will narrow the gap between the local and overseas levels in arts and will further boost cultural and artistic activities in Hong Kong.
Lastly, I would like to raise three questions for discussion in future: (1) Direction of artistic activities:
Artistic activities in Hong Kong have had a diversified development so far, with increasing community activities in recent year, how are we going to maintain a balance between popularization at community level and high standard of art?
(2) On completion of various district civic centres and the territory-wide cultural centre, how could the two categories be fully utilized and be related to each other?
(3) Artistic activities often need financial support. In view of the increase in
artistic activities, how can we have more sources of income?
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
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