The 17th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards Commends Outstanding Artists and Organisations

The 17th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards Presentation Ceremony, organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), was held this afternoon (17 June) at Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre. A total of 27 awards were presented to local artists, arts organisations, schools and institutions in recognition of their unstinting support and contribution to the arts development in Hong Kong.

The ceremony was officiated by Mr Chan Kwok-ki, GBS, IDSM, JP, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR; Mr Fok Kai-kong, Kenneth, JP, Chairman of the HKADC; Mr Wong Chi-cho, Joe, JP, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and HKADC’s Vice Chairman Dr Yeung Wai-shing, Frankie, JP.

The Hon John KC Lee, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, congratulated the awardees for their contribution to the arts industry in Hong Kong through a pre-recorded video. He said, “Hong Kong is blessed with enviable talent and with longstanding advantages, from the “one country, two systems” arrangement to our singular mix of Eastern and Western cultures, our world-class cultural infrastructure and our extensive global network. All these help promote Hong Kong’s arts and cultural industries. And, thanks to the National 14th Five-Year Plan, which supports Hong Kong’s aspirations to become an East-meets-West Centre for international cultural exchange, the city’s opportunities are all but boundless.” He especially thanked HKADC for organising this annual event, fostering the development of arts and culture in Hong Kong. In addition to supporting small- and medium-sized arts groups, HKADC has launched a variety of projects to boost Hong Kong’s artistic excellence and promote participation. Its commitment and wide-ranging contribution are greatly appreciated.

At the occasion, Mr Fok Kai-kong, Kenneth, JP, Chairman of HKADC, said, “I expressed my utmost appreciation towards all arts practitioners who have worked persistently and diligently over these years despite the difficult circumstances. I hope that the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards will continue to serve as a platform for arts practitioners to flourish and share their accomplishments.” He also shared that with the solid support of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR Government, HKADC would soon introduce two innovative schemes that aim at nurturing a diverse range of artistic talents, namely the Emerging Artist Scheme and the Arts Talents Internship Matching Programme. Projected to support a total of 200 emerging projects and 210 internship opportunities in the coming two years, these schemes are accessible to a diverse array of professional arts organisations and groups, and enable burgeoning talents to explore their creative potential and foster personal growth. He also mentioned that the first edition of the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX) to be held by HKADC in October 2024, would serve to promote exchange between the Mainland, overseas, and local active performing arts practitioners, and thus establish Hong Kong as a pivotal platform for connecting art leaders and workers from the Greater China region and beyond.

Six award categories of the 17th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards were presented, including the Life Achievement Award, Award for Outstanding Contribution in Arts, Artist of the Year, Award for Young Artist, Award for Arts Education in Schools, Award for Arts Promotion and Education.

The Life Achievement Award, the highest accolade, was conferred on arts masters with continued and significant contribution to the arts scene in Hong Kong. This year’s Life Achievement Award goes to Dr Yip Wai-hong, known commonly as the “Father of Children’s Choirs in Hong Kong". Dr Yip has established numerous renowned musical groups including the Hong Kong Children's Choir, Yip's Children's Choir and Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra. His dedication to the development of the industry and the nurturing of local musical talents is invaluable and the recognition of his accomplishments through this award has been highly anticipated by all working in the field.

The recipients for this year's Awards for Outstanding Contribution in Arts include prolific playwright Mr To Kwok-wai, Raymond, Ms Jean M. Wong, leading figure in classical ballet training in Hong Kong, and famous conductor and composer Mr Yan Huichang. They are highly regarded for their achievements in both the local and global arts realm. They have also created immense influence on the local arts scene over the decades by expanding the audience pool and nurturing artistic talents.

Prominent figures were invited to be the award presenters, including (in order of their appearance on stage):

- Mr Chan Kwok-ki, GBS, IDSM, JP, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR
- Dr Louis Ng Chi-wa, Museum Director, Hong Kong Palace Museum of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
- Mr Wong Chi-cho, Joe, JP, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau
- Ms Tung Siu-hung, Council Member and Dance Group Chairlady of HKADC
- Mr Fung Hon-kee, Joseph, Hong Kong veteran photographer
- Dr Yeung Wai-shing, Frankie, JP, Vice Chairman of the HKADC
- Mr Yuen Lup-fun, Hong Kong celebrated theatre director
- Prof Poon Wai-sum, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and Council Member of the HKADC
- Mr Fok Kai-kong, Kenneth, JP, Chairman of HKADC

Artist of the Year went to Mr Huang Lei (Dance), Mr Cheung Fei-fan (Drama), Mr Cheang Pou-soi (Film), Dr Chan Siu-hung, Natalia (Literary Arts), Mr Leung Kei-cheuk, GayBird (Media Arts) and Mr So Hing-keung (Visual Arts). The Award for Young Artist went to Mr Mak Cheuk-hung, Kelvin (Dance), Mr Cheng Kwan-chi, Jordan (Drama), Ms Quist Tsang (Film), Dr Tsang Fan-yu, Gabriel (Literary Arts), Mr Chilai Howard (Media Arts), Dr Lo Ting-cheung (Music) and Mr Kong Hoi-kan (Visual Arts). For the complete list, please refer to the enclosure.

During the ceremony, performances by youths engaging in versatile art forms were staged, including:

- A pre-recorded tribute performance to Dr Yip Wai-hong, recipient of the Life Achievement Award, by Yip's Children's Choral & Performing Arts Centre;
- Dance Performance Pas de quotre friends from La Esmeralda by Jean M. Wong School of Ballet
- Sextet performance 2AM by Hong Kong Young Chinese Orchestra

The video for the 17th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards Presentation Ceremony can be revisited on HKADC YouTube Channel.

The ceremony’s TV episode will also be broadcast on the following channel:

- 2 July (Sunday) 2:40pm at TVB Channel 81