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Recreation, Sport and the Arts

Music Office

The Music Office promotes knowledge and appreciation of music, especially among young people, by providing instrumental and ensemble training and organising music activities. It aims to build a new generation of concert-goers and organises international exchange programmes to foster sharing of music among young Hong Kong musicians and their counterparts around the world. In 2012, it provided music training for 8,504 trainees and 170,590 people took part in its music promotional activities.

Cultural Venues

There are 16 performance venues of varying sizes in Hong Kong, including the Yau Ma Tei Theatre for Chinese opera (in particular, Cantonese opera) which opened in July 2012. A new wing to Ko Shan Theatre is being built to accommodate a 600-seat theatre.

Hong Kong Cultural Centre

The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is Hong Kong's premier performing arts venue, attracting leading artists from around the world. It has three main performance venues: the Concert Hall, seating 2,019 patrons, the Grand Theatre, 1,734, and the Studio Theatre, up to 496. In 2012, more than 674,000 people attended 741 performances at the centre.

Hong Kong City Hall

Hong Kong City Hall, a Grade I Historic Building, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012. It is a major civic centre comprising a 1,434-seat concert hall, a 463-seat theatre, and an exhibition hall. In 2012, 606 events were held in the concert hall and the theatre, attracting over 368,000 people.

Yau Ma Tei Theatre

Refurbished from a historical building constructed in 1930, the new 300-seat theatre was officially opened in July 2012 as a dedicated venue for Chinese opera performances and related activities. Since its inauguration, more than 38,000 people have attended 216 performances in the theatre.

Regional and District Civic Centres

The LCSD runs 11 regional and district civic centres: the Sheung Wan and Sai Wan Ho Civic Centres on Hong Kong Island; the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre and Ko Shan Theatre in Kowloon; and the Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun and North District town halls, the Kwai Tsing Theatre, Yuen Long Theatre, and Tai Po Civic Centre in the New Territories.

Venue Partnership Scheme

The Venue Partnership Scheme fosters partnerships between venues and performing arts groups. Its main aim is to build the image and character of individual venues and their partners, expand the audience base, optimise usage of venue facilities, develop marketing strategies, solicit sponsorship, and encourage community involvement in the arts in Hong Kong. Some 713,000 people attended or took part in 750 stage performances and 800 educational, promotion and audience building activities organised by the venue partners in 2012.

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