ENG-1993 — Page 403

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RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

an attachment at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Ghent for three months in early 1994.

Hong Kong Arts Centre

Hong Kong Arts Centre is an independent, non-profit organisation founded in 1977 to promote arts and culture. Its funding is derived from rental income, box office receipts, corporate sponsorship and donations from individuals. It incorporates the 439-seat Shouson Theatre, the 193-seat Lim Por Yen Film Theatre, the 80-seat McAulay Studio, the Pao Sui Loong and Pao Yue Kong Galleries, the Atrium Gallery, rehearsal rooms, art and craft studios, music practice rooms and classrooms.

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As a multi-discipline arts organisation, Hong Kong Arts Centre offers a platform for contemporary work in the performing, visual and cinematic arts as well as featuring new, avant garde and multi-media art forms. It encourages the work of non-established artists of all disciplines and the development of indigenous art forms. Resources are also dedicated to outreach work in arts education offered by established artists, art historians and theorists, to promote the appreciation of all art forms and activities.

In 1993, the centre was visited by over 993 000 people, many of whom attended the 925 stage and screen performances, 81 exhibitions and 525 arts-related classes and courses held within its venues. Highlights of the year included the exhibitions China's New Art - Post 1989; the Art of Jörge Immendorff; Art in Belgium: Cyclic Identity; Cries and Whispers; British Paintings of the 1980s; Guan Wai Lung: the King of Calendar Painting; the film programmes The Great Japanese Animator: Osamu Tezuka; A Tribute to Jean-Pierre Melville & Pedro Almodovar Retrospective; and the education programmes Summer Art Camp 93; School of Visual Arts; New York Co-presentation: A Study of Digital Culture.

British Council

One of the aims of the British Council in Hong Kong is to foster cultural understanding between Britain and Hong Kong through a balanced programme of music, drama, dance, exhibitions, film shows and related masterclasses and workshops catering to the interests of local residents. The council works in conjunction with local organisations and supports collaborative projects between British artists and local performing companies.

In 1993, the council jointly organised a number of arts events, including the Royal Shakespeare Company's performance of The Comedy of Errors; the debut of Adventures in Motion Pictures, an exciting British modern dance company; the opera Der Rosenkavalier, produced by Stephen Lawless for the Hong Kong Arts Festival; and several acts in the Hong Kong Festival Fringe. It also arranged a visit by Peter Blake to coincide with a pop art exhibition of his works; a visit by Gerry Flanagan to direct Don't Let Go! for the Chung Ying Theatre Company; a Film Week featuring the best of current British productions; and a jazz cabaret by the Westbrook Trio.

Cultural Events

Hong Kong Arts Festival

Founded in 1973, the annual Hong Kong Arts Festival brings a rich artistic experience to the people of Hong Kong. More than 1000 artists and off-stage staff participated in the 1993 festival, which lasted 23 days and presented a total of 38 programmes. Over 100 000 people attended the 145 performances held at 16 venues throughout Hong Kong.

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