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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

Recurrent Funding

In 2019-20, the government earmarked $5.2 billion, excluding capital works expenditure, for arts groups, education and promotion, and administration. Of this sum, about $403.6 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 Orchestra, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Hong Kong Sinfonietta and Zuni Icosahedron.

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 seeks to develop the capacity of local artists and arts groups and to promote public-private partnership in local arts development in the form of springboard grants with matching elements and project grants. In 2020, it supported 13 projects with a total of $40 million. 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 2020, it granted about $17.3 million to support projects including the Venue Partnership Scheme at Yau Ma Tei Theatre, Yuen Long Theatre, Tuen Mun Town Hall and Sha Tin Town Hall.

Lord Wilson Heritage Trust

The Lord Wilson Heritage Trust provides funding for community organisations and individuals to implement heritage-related projects. Sixteen projects worth $2.79 million were approved in 2020.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund awards scholarships to candidates of outstanding calibre to pursue further studies or training in music or dance in or outside the city. Eleven scholarships worth $3.43 million were awarded in 2020.

Art Development Matching Grants Scheme

The bureau's $800 million Art Development Matching Grants Scheme seeks to widen funding sources for arts groups and encourage community support for arts and cultural development. It matches the private donations and sponsorships raised by eligible arts groups by providing the corresponding grants. The 2020-21 Budget announced an additional $900 million would be allocated to the scheme.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Funding Scheme

The Intangible Cultural Heritage Funding Scheme, established to engage the community in safeguarding Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage, approved $36.36 million for 39 projects, including Community-driven Projects and Partnership Projects, in 2020.

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