Annual Arts Survey Result Dashboard – 2021/22 Performing Arts

As the COVID-19 epidemic showed an easing sign starting from April 2021, physical performing arts programmes gradually resumed after the performing venues were re-opened. The numbers of programmes and performances, attendances and box office income registered significant increments in 2021/22. However, these numbers were yet to resume to the 2019/20 level under the restrictions on group gatherings and audience number, as well as mandatory venue closures during January to March 2022. The figures are as follows:

• A total of 3,226 performing arts programmes were held in 2021/22, which was more than double of the previous year. Yet it was still lower than that of 2019/20, with more than a thousand behind. Among all art forms, Dance programmes accounted for the smallest share, which was about 63% of 2019/20, while the number of programmes of remaining art forms were about 72% to 80% of the 2019/20 volume;

• The number of performances increased along with the growth in the programme figure, to 5,827 this year. “Variety and Pop Shows” was still dominating across all art forms, recorded 1,848 performances in 2021/22. Besides, total paid and free performances increased at the same time, and the paid and free ratio (about 6:4) was similar to the past years;

• With more performances, total attendance climbed to 1.65 million in 2021/22 and was quadruple of last year’s figure. Yet it only reached 70% of the 2019/20 level, as the audience seating was restricted between 75% and 85% of full capacity in most of the time in 2021/22, and the performing venues were closed for about 3 months in early 2022. For example, audiences from the Theatre, Variety and Pop Shows programmes were about 35% lower than that of 2019/20;

• Total box office income increased to HK$264 million this year, and was about HK$104 million less compared to that of 2019/20.

Detailed analysis will be covered in the Hong Kong Annual Arts Survey Report 2021/22 and to be published later.

Below is an interactive dashboard of the Performing Arts statistics which contains three pages. Readers can select free or paid admission boxes at the bottom to see the filtered charts, or click on the interested art form / year in one of the charts on the first and second page, the dashboard will be automatically refreshed.  On the third page, readers can click on one of the art forms in the filter to see the figures of the art genres within the selected art form.

# Attendance by art genres in 2020/21 and attendance of Xiqu (Other Chinese Operas) in 2021/22 are not available due to insufficient base size.

*The number of programmes in 2021/22 is based on programmes held in 29 arts and cultural facilities during the financial year from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.  Hong Kong Coliseum, Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, AsiaWorld-Expo, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, etc. are not included in the 29 arts and cultural facilities.  (The list of venues will be published with the Hong Kong Annual Arts Survey Report 2021/22.)