HKADCSkip to contentThe Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2017 Presentation Ceremony, organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), was held last night (11 May) at the TVB City.
A total of 34 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. Among the various awards, the Life Achievement Award, the highest accolade, was bestowed on renowned choreographer and dance educator Dr Tsao Sing-yuen, Willy, while the Award for Outstanding Contribution in Arts went to celebrated Cantonese opera artist Dr Law Ka-ying, popular lyricist Mr Lo Kwok-jim, Jimmy and renowned film director and producer Dr Johnnie Kei-fung To.
The ceremony was officiated by Mr Lau Kong-wah, Secretary for Home Affairs; Dr Wong Ying-wai, Wilfred, Chairman of the HKADC and Vice Chairman Mr Lee Wai-man, Maurice.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr Wong Ying-wai, Wilfred, Chairman of the HKADC, said, “Among the awardees, there are pioneers who laid a strong foundation for diversified arts development; and also passionate young talents who strive to create and innovate in their artistic pursuit, bringing together a vibrant and versatile arts scene in Hong Kong. HKADC has committed to providing all-rounded support for the arts sector, such as presenting the outstanding works of Hong Kong artists to the international arena, nurturing arts talents through a variety of scholarship, internship and training programmes and managing various arts spaces, etc.”
Seven award categories of the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2017 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, Award for Arts Promotion and Award for Arts Sponsorship.
The Life Achievement Award was conferred on arts masters with continued and significant contribution to the arts scene in Hong Kong. Hailed as the “Father of Chinese Modern Dance” and an advocate for modern dance development, Dr Tsao Sing-yuen, Willy founded the City Contemporary Dance Company in Hong Kong and BeijingDance/LDTX, and connected education with dance. Dr Tsao has created more than 60 works of dance so far. Over the years, his repertoires have been performed internationally at arts festivals in Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea and the US, and regionally in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Taipei. Dr Tsao is one of the most influential figures in the development of contemporary dance.
Dr Law Ka-ying, one of the recipients of the Award for Outstanding Contribution in Arts, was born in a family of Cantonese opera. Starting in mid-1960s, he formally performed on stage as a wenwu sheng (civil and military male). Between the 1970s and the 1980s, he established several Cantonese opera troupes, performing in numerous traditional and newly composed plays. The success led Law to start scripting playwright and he was devoted to nurturing young xiqu artists by taking up roles as the Artistic Director of the “Cantonese Opera Young Talent Showcase” of the Yau Ma Tei Theatre Venue Partnership and the Artistic Curator for the “Rising Stars of Cantonese Opera” of the West Kowloon Xiqu Centre.
Mr Lo Kwok-jim, Jimmy started to write Cantonese songs in 1975. He has written over 1,000 songs so far. Mr Lo places a very high value on passing the legacy of lyric-writing to the next generation. He co-authored On Lyric-Writing (1989) with Wong Chi-wah; and later published his own work, Behind Lyrics. From the 1990s onwards, he devoted much of his time to giving talks and conducting classes on lyric-writing at local institutes. As a maestro of lyric-writing, his unique style of lyrics has become classics and a role model for lyrists today.
Dr Johnnie Kei-fung To has now over 50 films under his belt and numerous accolades to crown his career. In 1996, To co-founded Milkyway Image with fellow filmmakers, Wai Ka-fai and Yau Nai-hoi. From 2004-2013, To was appointed as a Member of the HKADC. During his chairmanship of Film and Media Arts Group of HKADC, he launched the Fresh Wave Short Film Competition and International Short Film Festival. In 2016, To established Fresh Wave Film Festival Limited, a non-profit organisation now operates the Festival independently in order to nurture emerging film talents.
Prominent figures are invited to be the award presenters. It includes (list in no particular order):
Artists of the Year went to Dr Wong King-fai (Arts Criticism), Ms Chow Pui-wan, Pewan (Dance), Mr Chan Chu-hei (Drama), Mr Wong Chun (Film), Mr Quanan (Literary Arts), Dr Lai Chiu-han, Linda (Media Arts), Prof Chan Ming-chi (Music), Ms Wong Lai-ching, Fiona (Visual Arts) and Mr Ko Yun-kuen (Xiqu).
The Award for Young Artist went to Mr Hung Sze-hang, Edison (Arts Criticism), Mr Lee Wai-nang, Joseph (Dance), Mr Wong Chun-tat (Drama), Mr Song Zijiang, Chris (Literary Arts), Mr Law Yuk-mui (Media Arts), Mr Ng Wai-sai, Wilson (Music), Mr Lee Kai-chung (Visual Arts) and Ms Li Pui-yan, Eliza (Xiqu). For the complete list, please refer to the enclosure.
Also, an Honourable Commendation was presented to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in recognition of its generous support to the community of Hong Kong over the years.
During the ceremony, an array of versatile performances were staged, including:The Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2017 TV episode will be broadcast at 10:30pm on 19 May (Saturday) on TVB Jade and 10:00pm on 3 June (Sunday) on TVB Finance Channel.
Please click here to view the awardee list of Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2017.
By signing up you agree to our privacy policy. You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in any emails.
© All Rights Reserved by Hong Kong Arts Development Council