1998 — Page 338

Page 338 of 606

Page 338 of 606

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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

their temperament and force? From what I have gathered, I don't think our venues have yet met the conditions for genuine characterization. (2) Characterization is a bottom-to-top process which is far more than just designating a certain venue as an opera centre, or a children's art theatre or an experimental theatre as we like. I believe that we cannot possibly achieve characterization on our own or overnight. I consider that this is a spontaneous process and comes into being when artists are inspired and decide that a certain venue can be used for a certain type of artistic activity. It is therefore the result of the interaction between the community and the local residents and as such, it takes time. The temperament can be built up only when a certain force is accumulated. I can't see that we have such conditions in place either. (3) Characterization implies independence to a certain extent. As Mr. Wu mentioned just now, there must be complete change in the future role of the consultants. They should not be merely tendering advice, but should be making decisions together with us. However I doubt whether this could be done. For instance, if the consultants were to make decisions together with us, would they be playing the role of co-opted members? And how are we going to handle the possible differences between the consultants and the Councillors? In fact independence is also a process extending from the decision-makers to the executive arm. For any venue to achieve complete characterization, the decision-making level must have the support of the executive arm in implementing a certain idea, a certain ideal and a certain mission, but if the executive arm is prevented from playing its role because of bureaucratic shackles, then for sure no complete characterization will be achieved,

Hence, while giving my support to the motion, I will raise eight questions which I hope the future Working Group on Venue Management will thoroughly study and reflect on, because the success of characterization depends on the role of the Working Group, the availability of autonomy and the extent of that autonomy.

1. What I am concerned for is the total appearance and looks, that is, even the local design should have a personality of its own and should be unique and indicative of the theme of the venue;

2. Whether it is genuinely financially autonomous, that is, whether the Working Group on Venue Management is in a position to draw up its own financial budget and whether the right to seek community sponsorship is maintained after being provided with funding;

3. Whether the Working Group could really enjoy the right to make decisions on programme arrangements, so that it may arrange the programmes on its own;

4. Whether it is in a position to select the resident performing arts groups, which are essential to the maintenance of the character assigned to the venue;