ENG-2020 — Page 362

20

Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

Culture and Arts Venues

West Kowloon Cultural District

The WKCD, set to stretch across 40 hectares along Victoria Harbour, is being developed as an integrated arts and cultural district with world-class facilities. It aims to promote the development of arts and culture, meet the public's growing cultural needs and strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international arts and cultural metropolis.

The WKCD is progressing from the project planning and construction phase to the operational phase. Three major venues are now in operation. The Xiqu Centre is dedicated to the conservation and promotion of the xiqu art form and includes among its facilities a 1,075-seat theatre. Freespace, Hong Kong's new centre for contemporary performances and a creative space for cutting-edge productions, includes a 'black box' theatre accommodating 900 people standing or 450 seated. The Art Park features a diversity of trees and plants spread across open lawns. The waterfront promenade is lined with cafes and restaurants, and has become a popular place to take sunset photographs against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour. Other major facilities, including the M+ museum, Hong Kong Palace Museum and Lyric Theatre Complex, are scheduled for completion in the next few years.

The WKCD Authority initiates and co-presents arts and cultural programmes to develop the capacity of the local arts and cultural sector, build audiences, engage the community and nurture young artists. Major initiatives during the year included the Experimental Chinese Opera Festival 2020 at the Xiqu Centre, the Freespace Jazz Fest at the Art Park and Freespace, and the 'Shirley Tse: Stakes and Holders' exhibition at the Arts Pavilion.

The LCSD manages 14 performing arts venues and two indoor stadia.

Performing Arts Venues

With COVID-19 causing the temporary closure of performing arts venues and programme rescheduling and cancellations, rental concessions and refunds were provided to hirers and special measures were taken to safeguard public health, including disinfecting and comprehensively cleaning venue facilities and equipment. The opportunity of venue closure was also taken to bring forward various improvement works, such as the renovation of foyers and box offices and the upgrading of air-conditioning and stage equipment.

In response to venue closures and event cancellations, the LCSD's Edutainment Channel, launched in December, provides online access to programmes about culture and leisure. It includes 101 Academy, providing basic knowledge on a wide range of subjects, from art appreciation to horticulture.

Hong Kong Cultural Centre

The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is the territory's premier performing arts facility. It has three main performance venues: a 1,971-seat concert hall, a 1,734-seat grand theatre and a 496-seat studio theatre.

298