1995 — Page 152

age 152 of 485

Page 152 of 485

VI TUJ

128

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HK Arts Development Council, the Regional Council, the Academy for Performing Arts and the Arts Centre, etc. Looking at the current cultural atmosphere in Hong Kong, the academic levels and the literary articulation of the youngsters have declined. The media only put emphasis on visual excitement and are no longer interested in in-depth discussions of issues. This in the long run will undermine HK's future cultural development and the economic competitiveness. Although the Council cannot solve the above problem on its own, being a powerful, rich and experienced and an elected Council, it has the responsibility within its capability to carry out a comprehensive review and to conduct an in-depth examination with a view to devising a comprehensive cultural and artistic policy and a long-term plan so as to cope with Hong Kong's future diversified cultural and artistic development and need.

Mr. Chairman. I have chosen today to move this motion and hope that we can draw up a 5 year plan and stipulate a comprehensive policy, specific tasks and development objectives of the Council in promoting culture and art and decide on the allocation of resources according to the demand of the community on culture and art. This is due to two urgent reasons. First, following the social development and progress, the public and artists have. higher demand towards culture and art. Since there is such expectation in the society, the Council should devise a clear-cut policy as soon as possible. A venue oriented approach to promote the development of culture and art is absolutely outdated.

Secondly, in promoting culture and art, the Council does not have monopoly and does not work alone. It should work hand in hand with other organisations who are involved in devising art policy. Recently, the HK Arts Development Council has explored its role, status and development direction in promoting art. The Council should follow suit as soon as possible.

In the past 10 years, the Council has not openly debated any policy on culture and art. I hope that through today's open discussion, the Council can move the first step. The next step is:—I hope the Standing Committee of the Whole Council can set up a special working group to devise a work timetable. Through consultation, we should be open-minded and farsighted to formulate new policy. We should also draw up a five-year plan to explicitly explain to the general policy and direction and its plan for implementation.

Members of the Council are laymen in terms of culture and art. In formulating a policy on culture and art to cope with social need, we have to listen to the views of various sectors including our advisors, enthusiastic artists and artistic fraternitics, the art groups and other bodies who are capable of providing advice and support to culture and art.

Besides the Arts Development Council, they also include the Arts Centre, Academy for Performing Art and other organisations which frequently sponsor cultural and artistic activities, such as the Asian Cultural Association.

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