West Kowloon Cultural District Authority to join hands with Hong Kong Arts Development Council at internationale tanzmesse nrw 2018

Showcasing the diversity and vibrancy of dance in Hong Kong at the largest professional gathering dedicated exclusively to contemporary dance

(26 January 2018, Hong Kong) West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) announced today a collaboration to bring Hong Kong dance artists and contemporary dance works to the internationale tanzmesse nrw (Tanzmesse) 2018, one of the world’s largest professional gathering dedicated to all kinds of contemporary dance formats, personalities and organisations. Held every two years, this year, the Tanzmesse will take place between 29 August and 1 September 2018 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The Tanzmesse brings together over 1,900 artists and professionals from more than 50 countries from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. In 2016, HKADC brought a delegation of 60 Hong Kong contemporary dance artists and arts administrators to participate in Tanzmesse for the first time. Hong Kong’s participation in the Tanzmesse 2018 will further increase the exposure of local dance professionals in the global dance market and offer them opportunities to engage in creative dialogues with the international peers and colleagues. It is also an excellent platform for networking that will allow WKCDA, HKADC and Hong Kong artists, to foster exchange and promote the performances and creations of the Hong Kong dance sector in the international arena.

Hosted by HKADC and organised by WKCDA, there will be a booth set up in the Tanzmesse’s Exhibition Halls to present Hong Kong’s outstanding dance artists and their creations to participants in this world leading event, including overseas producers, presenters, arts agents, art buyers and international festival directors. Apart from the exhibition, there will also be a performance programme for Tanzmesse Exhibitors to present their work live, in the shape of fully produced performance or in the form of Open Studios, on the best stages for dance in Düsseldorf and Krefeld.  A total of 13 proposals have been selected and recommended by the dance advisors of HKADC for further selection by the Tanzmesse. The results will be announced in February 2018.

HKADC is now making an open call for local choreographers, dance artists and arts administrator to participate in the delegation to the Tanzmesse, so that they can broaden their exposure, network with international dance practitioners and pursue further exchange. Detailed information is available on the HKADC website (http://www.hkadc.org.hk/?p=21286).

Mr Louis Yu, Executive Director, Performing Arts of WKCDA welcomed this opportunity and said: “WKCDA was delighted to accept the HKADC’s invitation to organise the Hong Kong programme at the Tanzmesse 2018. This is a perfect platform to showcase Hong Kong’s vibrant contemporary dance to the international arts community and strengthen the network between Hong Kong dance artists and their international counterparts.”

Ms Winsome Chow, Chief Executive of HKADC said, “Riding on the debut success of bringing dance artists to Tanzmesse 2016 by HKADC, we hope that our collaboration with WKCDA will help deepen the connection between Hong Kong contemporary dance artists and their international counterparts, seeking opportunities for Hong Kong artists to showcase their best internationally.”