Outstanding Artists and Arts Organisations Commended in the 14th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards

The 14^th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards presentation ceremony organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), originally scheduled for today, is cancelled because of the COVID-19 situation. However, the situation in no way diminishes HKADC’s tribute towards the award recipients including artists, arts organisations, schools, and organisations with outstanding achievements in the previous year. They are lauded and recognised for their accomplishments and contributions to arts development of Hong Kong.

Launched in 2003 and after over 17 years of development, the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards has become an annual highlight of the arts and cultural sector. Starting from this year, the historic award is to be named according to the edition instead of year with the current edition titled the 14^th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards. In the current edition, awards are presented in five categories including “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” and “Award for Outstanding Contribution in Arts” will be announced and presented in the next edition.

Dr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, Chairman of HKADC, pointed out that when the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards is about to be made more poignant with the new title, the ceremony could not be held due to the COVID-19 situation. It does not lessen the excitement, however, in seeing how the awardees this year are testaments to the wealth of talents sparking vitality into Hong Kong’s arts and cultural scene. The Artist of the Year awardees certainly made immense contributions to the sector with their accomplishments. They are also accompanied with a good number of upcoming artists with innovative thinking and poised to add vibrancy to the art world with their abundant potential and creativity.

Dr Wong is also aware of the unprecedented and severe challenges faced by the sector as the majority of local, Mainland and overseas arts activities had been suspended, put on hold, postponed or even cancelled. The situation gravely impacted the work and livelihood of many arts organisations, groups, artists, as well as support staff on and off stage. Fortunately, with strong support from the Home Affairs Bureau, the HKSAR government’s Anti-epidemic Fund provided a funding of $50 million to launch the Support Scheme for Arts & Cultural Sector which provides timely support for arts practitioners. Rental concessions are also provided for tenants of the four arts spaces operated by the HKADC to relieve the pressure faced by the sector during this difficult period. Hopefully, the sector could further equip itself to be ready for more exciting works ahead which make Hong Kong art bloom with even greater vigor.

To deepen the general public’s understanding and appreciation of outstanding artists in Hong Kong, HKADC commissioned the HK Television Entertainment Company Limited (ViuTV) to produce “The 14^th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards” television programme special that will feature interviews and introductions of the 16 recipients of “Award of the Year” and “Award for Young Artist”. The 2-segment programme will be broadcasted at ViuTV Channel 99 at 10:45pm on 20 June and 27 June (Saturday).

Recipients of the Award of the Year include Ms Qiao Yang (Dance), Mr Ko Hon-man (Drama), Mr Ying Liang (Film), Dr Hector Rodriguez (Media Arts), Dr Mui Kwong-chiu (Music), Ms Li Wei-han, Rosanna (Visual Arts), and Mr Ng Chin-wang (Ng Chin-fung) (Xiqu).

Recipients of the Award for Young Artist include Ms Char Ying-lam, Evelyn (Arts Criticism), Mr Cho Tak-po, Hugh (Dance), Ms Lai Yuk-ching (Drama), Ms Chan Siu-kuen, Oliver (Film), Ms Leung Lee-chi (Literary Arts), Ms Qu Qianwen (Vvzela Kook) (Media Arts), Mr Ho Cheuk-yin (Music), Mr Chan Wai-lap (Visual Arts), and Mr Ng Lap-hei (Xiqu).

Please click here for the list of awardees.