ENG-2019 — Page 373

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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

cultural facilities in 10 years, including the construction of a New Territories East Cultural Centre and a Heritage Conservation and Resource Centre.

Recurrent Funding

In 2018-19, the government earmarked $4.74 billion, excluding capital works expenditure, for arts groups, education and promotion, and administration. Of this sum, about $366.2 million went into supporting nine major performing arts groups: the Chung Ying Theatre Company, City Contemporary Dance Company, Hong Kong Ballet, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Dance Company, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Hong Kong Sinfonietta and Zuni Icosahedron.

Chart 1

Provision for Arts and Culture 2018-19

Arts and Sport Development Fund

1.34% ($63.6 million)

Others

7.39% ($350.3 million)

Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts 7.65% ($362.5 million)

Hong Kong Arts Development Council 3.29% ($156.1 million)

Cantonese Opera Development Fund

0.42% ($19.8 million)

Public Libraries & Activities

26.3% ($1,246.6 million)

Public Heritage, Museums & Exhibitions

18.47% ($875.6 million)

Nine Major Performing Arts Groups

7.73% ($366.2 million)

Public Performing Arts Venues & Programmes

27.41% ($1,299.3 million)

Total government expenditure on arts and culture in 2018-19 was $4.74 billion.

Arts and Sport Development Fund

The arts portion of the Arts and Sport Development Fund subsidises long-term arts and cultural development through investment returns generated by seed money of $1.5 billion injected in 2010-11. The Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme disburses about $30 million annually in the form of springboard grants with matching elements and project grants. The scheme seeks to develop the capacity of local artists and arts groups and to promote public-private partnership in local arts development. It has financed 116 projects. Around $30 million is also earmarked annually to support projects initiated or recommended by the Hong Kong Arts. Development Council.

Cantonese Opera Development Fund

The Cantonese Opera Development Fund helps to preserve, promote and develop Cantonese opera. In 2019, it granted about $19.8 million to support projects including the Venue Partnership Scheme at Yau Ma Tei Theatre, Yuen Long Theatre and Sha Tin Town Hall.

Arts Development Fund

The Arts Development Fund is used to support cultural exchanges. It approved $5.2 million in 2019 for 103 such projects.

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