ENG-2003 — Page 489

RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

already acquired more than 5 600 films and 994 000 items of related materials, mainly through donations and deposits.

During the year, nine thematic exhibitions such as the Shaws Galaxy of Stars, The Psychic Labyrinth of Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau, In the Footsteps of Lai Man-wai, and Attraction and Magic — Early European Cinema were organised and more than 460 screenings were held at the Film Archive. To complement the exhibitions and screening activities, the Film Archive also held a number of joint projects with local educational and cultural institutions in organising seminars and workshops for film students, researchers and the public. In research on the history of Hong Kong cinema, the Film Archive conducted oral history interviews with film veterans and produced a number of film-related publications.

The resource centre, equipped with computers, independent video booths and a rich collection of film-related reading materials, was well patronised by the public, attracting a daily average of 156 users. Overall, the Film Archive attracted more than 160 000 visitors during the year.

Art Promotion Office

The Art Promotion Office aims to promote local visual arts through wide-ranging activities focusing on public and community art. The office places importance on undertaking projects with different partners, which helps to further enhance art appreciation and participation among members of the public.

The Public Art Scheme 2002 was completed during the year with selected artworks installed in four public libraries and two town halls. The Gallery Ferry Project was jointly organised with the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, New World First Ferry Services Ltd and New World First Bus Services Ltd. In this project, three installation works and 20 two-dimensional works were displayed on board three ferries and at Pier 5 in Central from May until year-end.

The second 'Artists in the Neighbourhood' Scheme was another partnership project. In 2003, works of 12 artists and one art group were displayed at different LCSD venues, MTR stations, hospitals and shopping malls. Because of the success of the 'Art Care' project in 2002, the office launched another community art project entitled A New Beginning/A New Day with the local arts organisation Art in Hospital, to sustain the efforts in introducing visual arts to hospitals.

Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre

The Art Promotion Office is also responsible for the management of the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre. Nine art studios, a lecture theatre, an exhibition hall and a multi- purpose room were open for public hiring at subsidised rates. The centre focuses on providing professional hiring facilities and training in the visual arts and promoting them. The second Art Specialist Course, which covered five disciplines ceramics, printmaking, painting, sculpture and ink painting - was specially

- was specially designed for general art lovers who would wish to pursue structured professional art training. The course began in October 2002 and lasted nine months. A graduation exhibition was held in the centre in October to celebrate the graduation of 62 participants by displaying artworks they created during the course.

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