Hong Kong Arts Development Council’s
New Premises Officially Opens Today

A Brand New Arts Venue in Wong Chuk Hang
Enhancing Creativity and Cultural Profile of Southern District

Download link for press release, high resolution images: https://bit.ly/3XfSbIM

(Hong Kong, 13 July 2023) Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC)’s new premises, located on the upper ground floor and fifth to seventh floors at 39 Yip Kan Street, Wong Chuk Hang, officially opens today.

Mr Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government; Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Mr Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, the Chairman of HKADC and Dr Frankie Yeung Wai-shing, the Vice-chairman of HKADC, officiated the Opening Ceremony, marks the opening of a brand-new arts venue in Hong Kong.

Group photo of officiating guests at the new premises of the HKADC: (From left) Dr Frankie Yeung Wai-shing, Vice-chairman of HKADC; Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of HKSAR; Mr Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Chairman of HKADC and Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of HKSAR.

Group photo at the Opening Ceremony: (From left) Ms Winsome Chow, Chief Executive of HKADC; Mr Joe Wong Chi-cho, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Dr Frankie Yeung Wai-shing, Vice-chairman of HKADC; Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of HKSAR; Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of HKSAR; Mr Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Chairman of HKADC; Mr Alexander Ng, Group General Manager of Sino Group; Mr Jonathan Kwok, Director of Empire Group and Mrs Vicki Kwok Wong Wing-ki, Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The new premises is located at LANDMARK SOUTH, a prominent new development in Yip Kan Street, Wong Chuk Hang. With a floor area of 30,000 square feet, the new premises brings together various facilities including 28 arts studios, a multi-purpose exhibition hall “SHOWCASE”, an Arts Information Centre and HKADC’s permanent office under one roof. This brand-new arts venue will further boost the vibrant and cultural ambiance of Wong Chuk Hang and Southern District.

Mr Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration, said at the Opening Ceremony, “The government has been actively developing the Southern District in recent years. The ‘Invigorating Island South’ initiative started in 2021 with the goal of making the Southern District a vibrant and artistic neighbourhood. The opening of HKADC’s new premises and arts facilities will attract more artists and arts groups to plan and organise arts programmes in the area, making Southern District a great location for entertainment, arts and culture in addition to being a great place to live and work.

“As part of the ‘National 14th Five-Year Plan’, the government will continue to collaborate closely with the HKADC to actively transform Hong Kong into a hub for East-meets-West cultural exchange,” continued Mr Chan.

Mr Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Chairman of HKADC, said, “The HKADC has been actively providing art spaces in various districts over the years. The new premises in Wong Chuk Hang will not only house our permanent office, but also serve as a distinctive arts venue designed with a variety of facilities for the public and the arts sector to use and enjoy.

“Furthermore, HKADC has been proactively nurturing arts talents in Hong Kong. With various scholarship schemes, we encourage arts practitioners to continue their education, attempting to nurturing local arts talents in arts administration, performing arts and arts technology.”

VIP tour of the “Marginal Notes” opening exhibition conducted by curator Ying Kwok. (From Left) Ying Kwok; Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of HKSAR; Dr Frankie Yeung Wai-shing, Vice-chairman of HKADC; Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of HKSAR and Mr Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Chairman of HKADC.

To mark this important occasion, HKADC has invited renowned curator Ms Ying Kwok to curate an opening exhibition titled “Marginal Notes”, featuring visual and multimedia arts created by 11 groups of local artists, and telling the cultural and historical stories of the Southern District. The opening exhibition and a series of fringe programmes will be held at the SHOWCASE from 18 July to 1 October. Admission is free and all are welcome. Another series of performing arts programmes will follow early next year.

Facilities at HKADC’s New Premises will gradually go into operation this year, including:

• ADC Artspace (Landmark South, Wong Chuk Hang): 28 arts studios at affordable rent for local visual or media artists to facilitate their creative endeavours.
• SHOWCASE: A multi-purpose exhibition hall with a floor area of approximately 4,500 square feet and a headroom of six meters, suitable for hosting diverse types of arts and cultural events.
• Arts Information Centre (AIC): A central repository for materials pertaining to arts activities funded, supported, or organised by HKADC over the years, providing the public and arts practitioners with access for research purposes. AIC is also equipped with a small screening room for viewing materials in image or video form.
• HKADC Administration Office: The office will primarily serve for daily administration.

For more information about Hong Kong Arts Development Council’s new premises, please see “Site Background”.