Hong Kong Arts Development Council’s Response to "The Hong Kong Drama Awards" Funding Issue

In light of media and community concerns about the funding adjustment to the Hong Kong Drama Awards (the Awards), Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) would like to make the following response:

Established in 1995, Hong Kong Arts Development Council is a statutory body set up by the Government to support the broad development of the arts in Hong Kong. Its major roles include grant allocation, policy and planning, advocacy, promotion and development, and special projects.

Since 1999, HKADC has been supporting Hong Kong Federation of Drama Societies (the Federation) in organising the Hong Kong Drama Awards for 24 consecutive years to commend local outstanding theatre practitioners and their works. HKADC always recognises the value and meaning of the Awards. Nevertheless, HKADC received comments on the inappropriate contents and arrangement of the 31st Awards held last June. After thorough review, HKADC decided that there was a need to adjust the funding amount.

For all grants approved by HKADC including Year Grant, Project Grant and the like, the grantee’s organisation is required to sign an agreement with HKADC indicating acceptance and commitment to fulfill the grant’s requirements and conditions including compliance with the Laws of Hong Kong during the grant period, the grantee’s obligation of not bringing any disrepute or damaging the reputation or causing adverse inference to the reputation of HKADC. If the grantee violates the terms and conditions of the agreement in any way, HKADC may exercise its rights to postpone, adjust or suspend grant disbursement for the grant year. The decision was made through a scrupulous discussion by the Arts Support Committee of HKADC and endorsed by the Council, in consideration of the past funding records of the Federation and the extraordinary arrangement of the Awards.

As a government-funded statutory body, HKADC is obliged to make best use of public funds with regard to the interest of the general public. HKADC respects the freedom of artistic expression. However, while a grantee enjoys the freedom of artistic expression and creation, he/she must also abide by the Laws of Hong Kong and assume responsibilities for creation and expression by the individual concerned and his/her organisation.