Opinion | How Hong Kong can take arts and culture to the next level

Hong Kong’s highly anticipated Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development signals the government’s commitment to developing the sector. With the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority at the forefront, key stakeholders, including the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, are committed to driving the agenda forward.

The blueprint aligns with the chief executive’s policy address this year. It is designed to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as one of the most prominent players in the international art market, promote the city as a centre for East-West cultural exchange, and advance the synergy between culture, sports and tourism.

In recent years, we have increasingly recognised the value of art and culture, not only as essential components of our identity but also as an economic pillar with the power to promote Hong Kong to new audiences overseas. Consequently, our first secretary for culture, sports and tourism, Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, was appointed in 2022. Rosanna Law Shuk-pui recently assumed this role, and her appointment will infuse the department with renewed energy, fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

With this added momentum and a development blueprint, the aim is to foster a more cohesive approach, enhance the integration of culture, sports and tourism, and promote these sectors to mainland Chinese and international audiences.

But the question remains: how do we achieve the ambitious goals outlined in the cultural blueprint?

The blueprint highlights the need for greater collaboration with the private sector as a core tenet of a more innovative and creative approach to developing sustainable fundraising models. By leveraging the cultural capital amassed by our leading institutions, such as the Hong Kong Palace Museum, M+ museum of visual culture, Xiqu Centre and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, we have the potential to unlock new opportunities for growth and engagement.