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RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

In view of the rapid expansion of the centre's Art School, which has more than 6 500 students, award-bearing programmes were developed in its five academic disciplines (Fine Arts, Media Arts, Applied Arts, Arts Management and Arts Education). The first batch of students in the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) programme graduated in August. During the year, a new Learning Centre was opened in Wan Chai, and the Art School also introduced its first 'Lecture Series on Chinese Arts and Culture' in collaboration with the Department of Arts Studies of Peking University.

Performing Arts Groups

Chung Ying Theatre

In 2001, the Chung Ying Theatre continued to promote theatre-in-education and original theatre works. The creation of What a Blissful Encounter, Mr. Ts'ai! and El Alquimista marked a milestone in the company's collaboration with theatre artists in the Mainland and local drama groups. After the revival of Sylvia, the group was invited by the Education Department to produce a student education programme entitled Urgent Ultimate Mission. The group also participated in the International Arts Carnival 2001 and performed A Knack Click. Other initiatives included the fourth round of Play-Ground, which promotes new play development, an art appreciation project co-presented with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and a performance of the musical Little Shop of Horrors at the end of the season.

City Contemporary Dance Company

The City Contemporary Dance Company is a professional modern dance company that endeavours to rally the best Chinese talents in creating dance in the contemporary context of China. In 2001, the company produced five dance programmes featuring leading artists from different media, including the Environmental Protection Dance Series Beauty Queen and Her Deadly Sin; Show Your Colours; Six Memos for the New Millennium; October Red and Merry Christmas 3 Little Beauties. Apart from running comprehensive dance courses for both adults and children and reaching out to the community, the company has further developed its China Dance Development Programme in the Mainland and launched a Youth Dance Ambassador Scheme in Hong Kong.

The CityFestival

The CityFestival is an urban culture festival that focuses on the multiplicities of a modern city. The 2001 CityFestival, presented by the Fringe Club, was held from January 3 to 23. The three-week programme featured stage performances, heritage drama re-enactment, exhibitions, band performances, talks, workshops, and an outdoor arts fair. More than 150 groups and individual artists from Hong Kong and overseas took part in the festival, which attracted over 350 000 people.

The Fringe Club is located in an historical building in Central. It has two theatres, two art galleries, a rehearsal studio, a pottery studio and showroom, a restaurant and some offices. Rent-free facilities are provided to performers and artists on an open- access format throughout the year. It also engages in the production of a diverse range of arts programmes in and outside Hong Kong.