ENG-2016 — Page 389

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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

Venue Partnership Scheme

This scheme fosters partnerships between the department's performance venues and performing arts groups. Its main aim is to enhance the image and character of individual venues and their partners, expand the audience base, optimise usage of venue facilities, develop marketing strategies, facilitate arts sponsorship, and encourage community involvement in the arts. Some 717,700 people attended or took part in 779 stage performances and 1,104 educational, promotional and audience-building activities organised by the venue partners in 2016.

West Kowloon Cultural District

The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), a 40-hectare prime waterfront site, is being developed as an integrated arts and cultural district with world-class facilities. Its aim is to promote the development of arts and culture, meet the growing cultural needs of the public and strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international arts and cultural metropolis.

The facilities that constitute the WKCD steadily took shape in 2016: the main superstructure works of the Xiqu Centre and M+, a new museum of visual culture, continued to move full steam ahead; the M+ Pavilion, formerly known as the Arts Pavilion, opened in July; foundation works for the Lyric Theatre Complex started in January; and construction of the Ark Park and Freespace, including a black box theatre and an outdoor stage, began in July. The Nursery Park remains open for public enjoyment while works on the rest of the Art Park continue.

To nurture new audiences and raise public awareness of the project, the WKCD Authority initiated and co-presented events that included Rising Stars of Cantonese Opera II in August; Antigone, performed on the rooftop of the WKCD Authority project site office in November; two exhibitions held at the M+ Pavilion; and a new season of Freespace Happening at the Nursery Park from September featuring free outdoor performing arts events.

Urbtix

The Urban Ticketing System, or Urbtix, is one of the most widely used computerised ticketing systems locally. It provides convenient and reliable ticketing services through counter booking at 36 outlets, and via the internet, telephone and a mobile app. In 2016, the system issued about 3.9 million tickets with proceeds of more than $1,162 million.

Culture and Arts Organisations

Hong Kong Arts Development Council

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) plans, promotes, funds and supports the overall development of the arts. Besides encouraging public participation and advocating arts. education, the council endeavours to advance arts criticism, raise the standards of arts. administration and strengthen arts policy research. It also operates various grant schemes.

The council grooms talented people, arts administrators and budding artists by providing opportunities to receive training, cultural exchanges and internships both in Hong Kong and

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