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8.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Lastly, the Urban Council should run a Children Artists Programme. A panel comprising of Councillors, representatives of USD and advisers should be formed to select 1-2 art and culture workers (including writers, painters, dramatists and musicians) each year for overseas studies. The condition will be that, on their return to Hong Kong, each one should undertake paid work for the Council for one year in the cultivation and development of our children,
To promote art and cultural activities for children, the participation of various sectors of our society is very important. The Urban Council will be able to play a leading role in this respect. With matching social resources and assistance from art groups, we should be able to bring the cultivation of children's art and culture to higher level and better ideal. I support the motion.
MR. TAM KWOK-KIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as pointed out by Ms. Au, the motion aims at arousing the concern of our colleagues over children's culture and art. I would like to point out here what kind of role the Council can play as a start to invite your valuable opinions.
Firstly, we feel that we can entrust the Council to be fully responsible for matters of performing companies as we presently do for our 3 performing companies. There are of course pros and cons of this mode of operation. The pros are that it is easier to maintain a balance between art and the market. As this pattern reduces financial pressure, the performing companies can work to seek better achievements in art. In fact, the performance programmes offered by these art groups are not all very popular, but we cannot overrule their artistic value. In promoting the cultivation of children's art and culture, this pattern also provides more space. A company under the management of the Council has advantages not enjoyed by others. For example, our 3 performing companies give performances at schools from time to time. There will be difficulties for professional profit-making performing groups to do so.
Then of course, we can see there are definite demerits in having the companies all under the management of the Council. It means the Council or the Department will have more people on establishment and bureaucratic powers will be further expanded. We should consider whether this is what we want to see. We know that Members do not agree to promoting children's performing art in this pattern, but we are of the opinion that the wording of the motion allows for flexibility. So we think that the present pattern is also a feasible one.
Secondly, we can consider a pattern similar to the relationship between the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and Council. The Orchestra is sponsored by the Council, but the Council has no say in its management. To be certain, under this pattern, a company does not carry the Council as a burden and can proceed with performance activities with more flexibility.
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Page 115 of 498
Page 115 of 498
112
8.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Lastly, the Urban Council should run a Children Artists Programme. A panel comprising of Councillors, representatives of USD and advisers should be formed to select 1-2 art and culture workers (including writers, painters, dramatists and musicians) each year for overseas studies. The condition will be that, on their return to Hong Kong, each one should undertake paid work for the Council for one year in the cultivation and development of our children,
To promote art and cultural activities for children, the participation of various sectors of our society is very important. The Urban Council will be able to play a leading role in this respect. With matching social resources and assistance from art groups, we should be able to bring the cultivation of children's art and culture to higher level and better ideal. I support the motion.
MR. TAM KWOK-KIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as pointed out by Ms. Au, the motion aims at arousing the concern of our colleagues over children's culture and art. I would like to point out here what kind of role the Council can play as a start to invite your valuable opinions.
Firstly, we feel that we can entrust the Council to be fully responsible for matters of performing companies as we presently do for our 3 performing companies. There are of course pros and cons of this mode of operation. The pros are that it is easier to maintain a balance between art and the market. As this pattern reduces financial pressure, the performing companies can work to seek better achievements in art. In fact, the performance programmes offered by these art groups are not all very popular, but we cannot overrule their artistic value. In promoting the cultivation of children's art and culture, this pattern also provides more space. A company under the management of the Council has advantages not enjoyed by others. For example, our 3 performing companies give performances at schools from time to time. There will be difficulties for professional profit-making performing groups to do so.
Then of course, we can see there are definite demerits in having the companies all under the management of the Council. It means the Council or the Department will have more people on establishment and bureaucratic powers will be further expanded. We should consider whether this is what we want to see. We know that Members do not agree to promoting children's performing art in this pattern, but we are of the opinion that the wording of the motion allows for flexibility. So we think that the present pattern is also a feasible one.
Secondly, we can consider a pattern similar to the relationship between the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and Council. The Orchestra is sponsored by the Council, but the Council has no say in its management. To be certain, under this pattern, a company does not carry the Council as a burden and can proceed with performance activities with more flexibility.
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