Opening Address for New Sense of Arts - Visual Arts Exhibition
Dr. Patrick Ho, Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Date: May 08, 2001
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Venue: Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre

Arts stimulate a love of life among people and make them reflect on life. Every citizen has the right to be in touch with arts and the enjoyment that it brings. The integration of arts among social groups not only enhances the quality of life of people, but it also creates harmony, equality and a vibrant atmosphere within the community. Anyone capable of feeling and thinking will have the ability to create and enjoy the vitality of arts. [disregarding the pattern of sensation and deliberation one has].

The Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong has a long history of campaigning for the arts rights of the disabled community as well as practicing the concept of 'PHAB Integration'. Their effort should command our respect and appreciation.

The Arts Development Council acknowledges the cultural rights of our citizens and would zealously seek resources and social support for their promotion.

The promotion of 'community arts' is one of the important directives in the "Three-Year Plan" drawn up by the Arts Development Council. This encompasses the provision of equal opportunities and access to arts appreciation and participation for those with special needs in the society. The fourth 'Visual Arts Exhibition' currently being held is itself a good tradition that advocates the joint participation of both the public and the disabled. We hope this practice would not only be persevered with, but also receive greater patronage and support from a wider audience in the coming years.

The artists invited by the Arts for the Disabled Association Hong Kong to participate in the current event have maintained a close working relationship with the Arts Development Council. These include Mr Wong Yan-kwai, the examiner of the Visual Arts Committee of the ADC, Mr Kwok Mang-ho, the winner of the ADC 1998 Achievement Award and Mr Tsang Tak-ping, the chairman of the 'Arts Space' Group that received 'One Year Grant' from the ADC. The present exhibition witnesses the collaboration among arts practitioners, the disabled, the general pubic, arts promotion departments and public bodies. What we witness here is social integration through the arts. On behalf of the Arts Development Council, I wish the exhibition every success, and hope you can derive from the event much joy and inspiration.