ENG-1994 — Page 434

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

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advanced diploma programme concentrating on performing ability and artistry, or a three- year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programme with an additional emphasis on liberal, cultural and inter-disciplinary studies. A one-year professional diploma programme is offered to those students who wish to focus on developments in technique and interpretation at the highest level. At the year's end, 347 students were enrolled in diploma studies, 124 in advanced diploma studies, 18 in professional diploma studies and 179 in the degree programme.

Performing makes up the central learning process for students of the academy. In 1994, major productions included a full-scale opera, a Broadway musical comedy, several classics and newly-created plays, masterpieces of ballet and modern choreography, touring performances of Chinese dance and over 150 public concerts and recitals. The School of Technical Arts provided the necessary support and design services for most of the academy's productions. It also presented exhibitions of student projects in stage design, scenic art and costume technology.

The academy's students are in great demand as cultural ambassadors for Hong Kong. Performing student groups were invited by the government to help promote Hong Kong in The Hague and in the United States of America. In June, the Academy Chinese Music Ensemble visited the United Kingdom and played to standing ovations. A group of dancers and musicians performed in the cultural festival of the 15th Commonwealth Games held in Victoria, Canada, in late August. Three students from the Junior Music Department won prizes at an international competition held in Prague in May.

Business for Art

Business for Art is a non-profit-making organisation dedicated to providing support for arts projects and programmes. It aims to develop public interest in cultural activities and to bring the visual, creative and performing arts not only to those with cultivated tastes but also to those who might otherwise not be exposed to the arts. It helps young artists establish themselves and seeks to provide opportunities for them to display their work.

The organisation publishes the quarterly bilingual magazine Arts Patron to promote business sponsorships for arts projects. Since its inception in 1990, the organisation has presented various projects, recent ones including arts scholarships in Belgium for three artists; the first Hong Kong Youth Arts Festival; the busing programme which provided ballet tickets and transportation for primary school students in the New Territories to enjoy ballet performances at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre for the first time; and the Paganini Project, which is an ongoing effort to re-equip the string section of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

Hong Kong Arts Centre

The Hong Kong Arts Centre is an independent, non-profit-making organisation founded in 1977 to promote arts and culture. Its funding is derived from rental income, box office receipts, business sponsorship and donations from individuals and companies. It in- corporates 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. As a com- munity resource, it encourages outside organisations to make full use of its facilities.