Artwork on Loan Scheme Inauguration Ceremony
Speech by Mr Darwin Chen,
Chairman, Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Date: August 30th, 2003
Venue: Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library

Ms Choi Suk-kuen, our friends from arts and media circles, ladies and gentlemen:

With the dedicated support of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Central Library, on behalf of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, I am pleased to announce the embarkation of a brand new lending service - Artwork On Loan Scheme.

Starting from tomorrow, if you are a holder of a public library card, you are now eligible to borrow over 100 pieces of artworks for appreciation, bringing home the immeasurable pleasure of art enjoyment.

The scheme covers a total of 27 artists, including well-known figures such as Jao Tsung-i, Kwok Mang-ho, Ha Bik-chuen, Choi Yan-chi, and Leung Kui-ting. Among these artists are winners of our Arts Development Awards, Fellowships for Artistic Development, and Emeritus Fellowships. Four of them are members of the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong. Their works are wide and varied, ranging from lithographs, Chinese and western paintings to cross-media creations. Reproductions, in scrolls or mounted on paper, are available for lending. Each reproduction piece will carry information of the artist and the work itself.

In line with the scheme, we have also launched a new website, E-Gallery, to provide a comprehensive range of services to the art lovers. Besides the introduction of the participating artists and their works, E-Gallery will also bring a range of new services such as arts tutorials and arts goods in the near future.

This new scheme reflects our innovative, unconventional approach to bring the arts closer to people from all walks of life. This is precisely one of the key areas of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council's efforts to make art as popular, as accessible, as participative and as enjoyable as possible for the general public.

With this new service, everyone can make their home a good place for art enjoyment and discussions and, in the process, improve communications in the family and build better parent-child relationships.

We encourage individuals as well as institutions and schools to make use of this service. For example, displays of artworks can brighten the workplace to make life less stressful for office workers. Mini exhibitions or tutorials can also be held on campus to generate a greater interest in arts among local students.

Last but not least, I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude to our long-term partner the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Central Library and the 27 artists for making this event possible. Thank you.