Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre project officially launched


An artist's impression of the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre


Present state of Shek Kip Mei Factory Estate

The development of Hong Kong's arts, culture and creative industries entered a new era at a ceremony held on October 31 by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) and the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) to launch a project to convert a vacant factory building in Shek Kip Mei into a creative arts centre.

The establishment of the "Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre" by the three partner organisations is supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$69.4 million.

Officiating at the ceremony at HKBU were Dr. Patrick Ho, Secretary for Home Affairs, HKSAR Government; Mr. John Chan, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC); Mr. Moses Cheng, Chairman of the Council and of the Court, HKBU; Mr. Ma Fung-kwok, Chairman of HKADC; and Dr. Dennis Sun, Chairman of Board of Governors, HKAC.

Mr. Ma Fung-kwok, Chairman of the ADC, said: "The Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre will provide ample opportunities for the development of local arts practitioners and arts groups, allowing them to take root in the community and bring arts closer to the masses. While the objective is to create a favourable environment for artistic pursuits, it is also hoped that the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre will stimulate greater community interest in other hubs of artistic endeavour."

Under the project, the three partner organisations will submit a proposal to the Government via the Home Affairs Bureau for renovating the vacant Shek Kip Mei Factory Estate into a creative arts centre as a hub of arts and culture, contributing to the nurturing of creative talents, the development of local cultural and creative industries as well as the long-term arts development in Hong Kong.

Renovation work is expected to be completed by mid-2007. The Centre will have about 150 standard units (each unit measuring 24 square metres) available to be let to some 100 artists and arts groups for the production and display of their works. Included will be a performing stage, an exhibition gallery, studios and lecture theatres, while a small number of units will be reserved for catering facilities and arts-related shops to provide support for tenants as well as to attract visitors. The Centre will also stage regular performances and exhibitions, and hold arts classes, seminars and workshops to promote the public's appreciation of arts and culture.

The Project Planning Committee is studying the implementation of the renovation work and the setting up of the mode of operation. Public consultation will be held from November to hear the views of the public and arts groups. Reference will also be made to comparable overseas organisations to learn from their operation and experience. For details of the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, please visit the website at: www.hkadc.org.hk/cac.