The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) reiterated today the importance of the West Kowloon Cultural District to the future development of local arts and culture, and urged for early implementation of the project, with an aim to develop the district into a world-class arts and cultural hub.

Successful implementation of the WKCD will help resolve the pressing needs of venues and facilities as well as provide ample space and opportunities for the future development of local arts and cultural sector.

The ADC made an appeal to the soon-to-be formed advisory body and the future management authority to carefully re-consider the views and opinions expressed by the local arts and cultural sector. Since the announcement of the project in 2003, the ADC had organized an extensive consultation including three thematic seminars, five consultation sessions and two questionnaires to collect views from the arts community. Based on the views and data collected, the ADC submitted two response papers containing recommendations from the arts community to the government in June 2005 and January 2006 respectively. The list of suggestions included the need to establish a 1,200-seat theatre for xiqu, an Arts Education Development Centre and a Literary Centre, etc, representing the needs of the arts and cultural sector.

To maximize the cost effectiveness of the project, the ADC also recommended that the Government adopt a more flexible approach in designing the “hardware” for the district and consider, when necessary relaxing the restriction on plot ratio so as to allow more space for the development of arts and cultural facilities.

The development of arts and culture in Hong Kong requires not only government support, but the participation and contribution of the community. The ADC agreed to the private-public-partnership concept in the development of WKCD project.

The Arts Development Council will continue to closely monitor the development of the WKCD project, in particular the overall design and planning as well as the integration of hardware and software. It will also continue to collect and reflect the views of the local arts and cultural sector.