Hong Kong Arts Development Council launches Music and Dance Distinguished Performance Commendation Scheme (Pilot Scheme)

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) announced today (June 19) the launch of Music and Dance Distinguished Performance Commendation Scheme (Pilot Scheme), to commend artists who achieve outstanding results in the worldwide recognised high-level Music and Dance competition with cash award, as well as supporting them to develop their artistic career path.

The Scheme is financially supported by Arts and Sport Development Fund of Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, implementing as a pilot scheme for 3 years. HKADC will commend eligible applicants who advance to semi-finals or above in the recognised competition with a cash award according to their competition results. HKADC will also promote awardees’ accomplishments to the public. Applicants must be HKSAR permanent residents holding HKSAR passport, and to participate in the competition as individuals from Hong Kong, China. Based on general competition results, the cash award is divided into 5 levels and the maximum amount for each level ranges from HK$50,000 to HK$150,000.

To let art practitioners to know more about the Scheme, HKADC organised a briefing session for the Scheme today. Mr Leung Kin-fung, Council Member cum Music Group Chairman of HKADC, said in the briefing session “To tie with the government’s strategic direction to develop Hong Kong as East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange, talents nurturing is an important element. The Scheme encourages outstanding and promising local artists to participate in the worldwide recognised high-level competition in which they could broaden their experiences, horizons and international networks through participating in artistic exchange and honing their skills. Hong Kong has a large pool of talent and many Hong Kong artists won awards in the international competitions in the past. The Scheme is believed to promote the distinguished local artists internationally, to enhance Hong Kong’s cultural prowess and contribute towards the establishment of Hong Kong as the cultural hub of Asia.”

Ms Tung Siu-hung, Council Member cum Dance Group Chairlady of HKADC, said “HKADC endeavors to cultivate promising artists through different grant projects, so that arts practitioners in different stages of development are being supported. For example, Cultural Exchange Grant subsidies expenditures of overseas exchange activities for arts practitioners. As for Music and Dance Distinguished Performance Commendation Scheme, it gives recognition to artists with cash awards. In addition, HKADC will arrange promotion or media activities for awarded artists, to promote the distinguished local artists to the community. I wish to witness the happiness moment of the local arts industry with Hong Kong citizens.”

The Scheme accepts applications all year round. Eligible applicants can submit applications to HKADC before participating in the competition. Applications can be submitted via email, by post or by hand. Application Guideline and Application Form have been uploaded to HKADC website. For enquiries, please call HKADC at 2827 8786.