The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA or the Authority) announced today the results of its Arts Relief Scheme 2020 (the Scheme), a time-limited response fund (Fund) amounting to approximately HK$3 million, which was initiated in April 2020 to support local artists affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund is raised with the voluntary salary contributions of the senior executive team of the Authority, plus a generous donation from Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen, Chairman of the WKCDA Board. The Scheme received an overwhelming number of over 360 applications across various arts disciplines. After a rigorous selection process, 13 projects will be supported by the Fund, with a ceiling of HK$300,000 per project.
Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen, Chairman of the WKCDA Board, praised the indomitable passion of local artists: ‘We are thrilled to have received such an enthusiastic response. The creativity and originality of the submissions is so powerful and encouraging. In line with the Authority’s commitment, the funded projects not only contribute to arts development but also help spread positive energy and promote community spirit. We are delighted to play a small part in realising local artists’ dreams and the betterment of the city.’
The Scheme encourages engagement within the community and fosters digital transformation of creative practices. Applications cover various artforms including visual arts, cultural heritage, music, theatre, dance, xiqu, technical arts and cross-disciplinary arts. The assessment was based on the originality and creativity of the project, the number of collaborators involved and the extent to which the project can help to boost morale among the community in times of adversity. Other selection criteria involved the project implementation plan as well as the benefits brought to the development of the local arts and cultural sector.
The adjudication panel consisted of five representatives from the Authority, namely Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen, Chairman of the WKCDA Board, Mr Duncan Pescod, Chief Executive Officer, WKCDA, Dr Daisy Wang, Deputy Director, Curatorial and Programming, Hong Kong Palace Museum, Mr Doryun Chong, Deputy Director, Curatorial and Chief Curator, M+, and Ms Alison Friedman, Artistic Director, Performing Arts, WKCDA.
Successful applicants will receive the grant in three instalments starting from August 2020. The projects are expected to be completed by May 2021. For more information about the successful applicants, please refer to Arts Relief Scheme 2020 Granting Projects webpage https://www.westkowloon.hk/artsrelief2020-grantingprojects.
.jpg){kind=tracking}