HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
113
The third pattern is to devise a ratio in the level of subsidy for various cultural activities. The case now in point is cultural activities targeted at children. This will encourage those in the field to organize more activities for children.
Basically, we think that setting up a performing company to promote children's art and culture and cultivate the interest and potential of children in the field is a more effective strategy. The first and second patterns mentioned above should be considered with priority. As for the third pattern, it should be looked upon as a transitional arrangement. The opinions of other Members just now are also worth of consideration. Over this issue, our colleagues who are members of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood will take an open approach and listen to your views. We have one objective, that is, we want to see children's art and culture grow from strength to strength. That achievement will create more favourable conditions for the development of art and culture in Hong Kong. Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
MR. WU CHI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Today's topic is to do with the development of children's art and how we can develop their potentials. The Urban Council can do a lot on this as many of my colleagues have mentioned. Personally, I feel the crux of the matter lies in our putting 3 Select Committees, viz literary art, visual art and performing art in charge of art and cultural activities. We now have some activities for young people in all 3 fields. We gloss over them as children's activities or school activities. Let us go deeper into them. Do we take the psychological growth of children as our point of concern when we hold such activities? Or do we just do window dressing? I think that is something we need to go deep into.
Other colleagues have spoken on an important principle, which is that the development of children's art and culture involves to a very large extent their psychological development and the process of growth. This is not something that can be solved by holding activities and managing a company as we do now. We need to set out a direction and, formulate an approach. Given that the Council is willing to take up this task, we need to create a post of children's art director and make him the coordinator. It is a very important principle indeed. Branching out from there, we have to consider what kind of activities to hold. I think one important principle is to utilize the resources of the community. The Council at present provides resources, but I hope we do not repeat the approach of giving full subsidy to a particular company. In the past, the Council has been giving full support for the Chinese Orchestra, the Repertoire Theatre and the Dance Company. If we add on a children's drama company, we would be stretching the limit on ourselves. The Council's use of resources is limited. Experience tells us that putting a lot of resources in one company does not necessarily give good results or achieve maximum effects. A look at the ratio of our resources put in the community and those put in
Page 116 of 498
Page 116 of 498
Page 116 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
113
The third pattern is to devise a ratio in the level of subsidy for various cultural activities. The case now in point is cultural activities targeted at children. This will encourage those in the field to organize more activities for children.
Basically, we think that setting up a performing company to promote children's art and culture and cultivate the interest and potential of children in the field is a more effective strategy. The first and second patterns mentioned above should be considered with priority. As for the third pattern, it should be looked upon as a transitional arrangement. The opinions of other Members just now are also worth of consideration. Over this issue, our colleagues who are members of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood will take an open approach and listen to your views. We have one objective, that is, we want to see children's art and culture grow from strength to strength. That achievement will create more favourable conditions for the development of art and culture in Hong Kong. Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
MR. WU CHI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Today's topic is to do with the development of children's art and how we can develop their potentials. The Urban Council can do a lot on this as many of my colleagues have mentioned. Personally, I feel the crux of the matter lies in our putting 3 Select Committees, viz literary art, visual art and performing art in charge of art and cultural activities. We now have some activities for young people in all 3 fields. We gloss over them as children's activities or school activities. Let us go deeper into them. Do we take the psychological growth of children as our point of concern when we hold such activities? Or do we just do window dressing? I think that is something we need to go deep into.
Other colleagues have spoken on an important principle, which is that the development of children's art and culture involves to a very large extent their psychological development and the process of growth. This is not something that can be solved by holding activities and managing a company as we do now. We need to set out a direction and, formulate an approach. Given that the Council is willing to take up this task, we need to create a post of children's art director and make him the coordinator. It is a very important principle indeed. Branching out from there, we have to consider what kind of activities to hold. I think one important principle is to utilize the resources of the community. The Council at present provides resources, but I hope we do not repeat the approach of giving full subsidy to a particular company. In the past, the Council has been giving full support for the Chinese Orchestra, the Repertoire Theatre and the Dance Company. If we add on a children's drama company, we would be stretching the limit on ourselves. The Council's use of resources is limited. Experience tells us that putting a lot of resources in one company does not necessarily give good results or achieve maximum effects. A look at the ratio of our resources put in the community and those put in
Page
Page 116 of 498
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.