(Updated on 24 July 2020)
Since the launch of the ‘Support Scheme for Arts & Cultural Sector’ (the ‘Scheme’) on 20 March, Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) has received approximately 4,800 applications. As at 22 July, HKADC has disbursed a total of $7 million subsidy to more than 300 HKADC funded arts organisations/projects (including the grant recipients of “Year Grant”, “Literary Arts Platform Project”, “Eminent Arts Group Scheme”, ‘Project Grant’, ‘Matching Fund Scheme’ and commissioned projects). In addition, over 3,200 applications of non-HKADC funded arts projects and individual arts practitioners have been processed, and approximately $16 million subsidy have been disbursed. With a large number of applications, we are striving to process the remaining 1,400 applications in the coming 4 to 5 weeks.
Scheme Overview
Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) first launched the “Support Scheme for Arts & Cultural Sector” before Chinese New Year to strengthen support towards small and medium-sized arts organisations and arts practitioners whose activities and work were cancelled or impacted in 2019. The original budget is HK$5 million. Owing to the adverse impact of COVID-19, almost all arts events have been cancelled or postponed since February. The situation has gravely impacted the work and livelihood of local arts organisations and arts practitioners.
To address the pressing needs of the arts sector, the Government’s Anti-epidemic Fund has channelled HK$150 million through Home Affairs Bureau to support the arts sector, of which HK$50 million is allocated to HKADC to strengthen its “Support Scheme for Arts & Cultural Sector”, increasing the total budget to HK$55 million to help relieve the financial burden of the arts sector during this difficult period.
Beneficiaries and Funding Amount
In addition to providing assistance for arts organisations and practitioners funded by HKADC, the scheme also supports arts organisations and individual arts practitioners affected by closure of Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) or other legitimate non-LCSD cultural venues. The funding is to subsidise primarily arts organisations, groups and practitioners having work from February to June impacted by COVID-19, including performances, exhibitions, rehearsals, preparation and post-event work.
| Category | Beneficiaries | Original $5M Scheme (Application required) | Additional funding of $50M from the Anti-epidemic Fund | Funding Amount (HKD) | Quick Reference [Guide to Application (extract) and Application Form]
(Updated on 30 April 2020) |
| A | Grant recipients of HKADC’s 2019/20 Year Grant, Literary Arts Platform Project and Eminent Arts Group Scheme | Each can apply for a maximum of $50,000 | Direct subsidy $80,000 | Maximum of $130,000 |  |
| B | Projects funded by HKADC* | |
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| i) Project Grant (non-publication)**, Matching Fund Scheme | Each can apply for a maximum of $15,000 | Each project affected by the epidemic will receive a direct subsidy of $15,000 | Maximum of $30,000 | ||
| ii) Project Grant (publication) | Each can apply for a maximum of $3,000 | Each project affected by the epidemic will receive a direct subsidy of $3,000 | Maximum of $6,000 | ||
| Projects funded by HKADC iii) Cultural Exchange Scheme iv) Commissioned projects : - - Arts-in-School Partnership Scheme - Literary Arts Publication In Media Project - Hong Kong Literary Arts Archive |
Each project affected by the epidemic will receive a direct subsidy of $15,000 | ||||
| C | Arts projects not funded by HKADC | Each project affected by the epidemic may receive a subsidy of $15,000 by application | |
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| D | Individual arts practitioners | Each individual may receive a maximum of $7,500 by application | |
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*Not applicable for HKADC’s 2019/20 “Year Grant”, Literary Arts Platform Project”, or “Eminent Arts Group Scheme”.
** In the original Scheme, “Project Grant” excludes Cultural Exchange Grant.
How to Apply and Fund Payment
In light of the current situation, there is no deadline set for application until full disbursement of the funding or further notice. For arts organisations and practitioners with no application required, HKADC disbursed the funding by bank cheques in one go in late March, while those newly included projects funded by HKADC with direct payment support will be disbursed in mid/ late May. For arts practitioners and organisations that need to submit applications, they may submit their applications by email at supportscheme@hkadc.org.hk, or by mail/ in person to Hong Kong Arts Development Council at 10/F, 1063 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong from now on. Please mark “Support Scheme for Arts & Cultural Sector” on the envelope. Please send one application only by e-mail/mail/in person. In general, the Administration Office will process all acceptable applications and disburse the funding within approximately one month afterwards.
Assessment
All applications are assessed by the special panel of HKADC. HKADC reserves final discretion on arrangement of assessment and the assessment result (includes but not limited to the approved sum for each application).
Documents
| Document (Updated on 30 April 2020) | Download | |
| Guide to Application (full version) | |
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| FAQ | |
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Application Forms
| Forms | Download | |
| Category A – Grant recipients of HKADC’s 2019/20 “Year Grant”, “Literary Arts Platform Project” and “Eminent Arts Group Scheme” | |
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| Category B – Affected projects held in Hong Kong starting from 1 July 2019 and funded by HKADC’s “Project Grant” or “Matching Fund Scheme” | |
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| Category C – Arts projects not funded by HKADC (Updated on 30 April 2020) | |
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| Category D – Individual arts practitioners (Updated on 30 April 2020) | |
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Enquiries
Enquiries may be addressed to Hong Kong Arts Development Council by phone at 2827 8786 or email supportscheme@hkadc.org.hk.
