ENG-2005 — Page 461

Recreation, Sport and the Arts | 399

Para/Site Art Space

Para/Site Art Space is a non-profit-making art organisation founded in 1996 by a group of independent artists in Hong Kong. Para/Site aims to promote contemporary art through its annual programmes of exhibitions and seminars and the publication of catalogues and PS magazine, Hong Kong's only bilingual visual arts publication. It also manages another exhibition space Para/Site Central, the smallest exhibition venue in Hong Kong hosted by Hanart TZ Gallery in Central.

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Previously an artist-run space, in 2005 Para/Site Art Space recruited Tobias Berger as the executive director and curator. Within a short time of his arrival, he organised a number of well-received exhibitions 'Power Plays', presenting three decades of influential international and local performance art videos; 'A Life that Changes Your Week' featuring renowned media artist Christian Jankowski and 'Irreality', a multi- media installation exhibition by local and Pearl River Delta artists.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund was set up in 1980 with a donation of $10 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club for the promotion and development of music and dance. It is a non-statutory trust fund, administered by a board of trustees. In 1994, the Jockey Club provided a further capital injection of $22 million to meet the increasing demand for support.

During the year, the fund awarded $2.17 million for six scholarships and $640,000 for 15 grants. The scholarships enabled young people to pursue an integrated programme of post-diploma/post-graduate studies or professional training in music or dance studies at leading institutions or undertake less formal studies, projects or creative work outside Hong Kong. The grants helped local secondary and primary schools to procure musical instruments and dance equipment for training. purposes, and to organise new training classes for students.

Music Office

The main objectives of the Music Office are to promote general music education in the community, especially among young people, develop public interest in music and to foster the sharing of music among local young musicians and their counterparts all over the world. The Music Office runs 18 youth orchestras, bands and choirs with 1 350 members. In 2005, it organised an instrumental music training scheme for 4 500 trainees, short-term music interest courses for 2 000 participants, and 390 music activities to entertain a total 182 000 people. Other major events included a music camp, youth music 'interflows', and music exchange programmes for local, Mainland and overseas young musicians.

Cultural Venues

Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Since its inauguration in 1989, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre has established itself as Hong Kong's premier performing arts venue, attracting leading artists from around the world. It has three main performing venues: Concert Hall, with a seating