Arts, Culture Facilities Get HK$20bn For Upgrades

The government said on Wednesday that it will set aside HK$20 billion to upgrade the city's cultural facilities and construct new venues.

Paul Chan said in his budget speech that this will include the construction of the New Territories East Cultural Centre and the Heritage Conservation and Resource Centre.

The government will also allocate HK$500 million to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for acquiring museum collections and holding exhibitions, while HK$40 million in extra funding will be given to the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society for commissioning creative works and arranging performances by local artists during the Arts Festival.

An additional HK$55 million will be provided to support the nine major performing arts groups as well as small and medium arts groups funded by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

Chan also allocated HK$300 million to strengthen the conservation of the city's Intangible Cultural Heritage. Another HK$70 million will be pumped into the Cantonese Opera Development Fund to support production and performances by local Cantonese opera troupes.

To showcase Hong Kong's art and culture, HK$50 million will be provided every year for overseas performances by local artists.

Local arts groups and artists taking part in cultural exchanges with counterparts from the Bay Area region will be given subsidies worth HK$140 million over the next five years.