Funding and Support For The Arts
The Hong Kong government allocates around US $300 million (US$43 per capita) per year. for culture and arts, which accounts for about 1 percent of total government spending. The HKSAR Government claims that this is "broadly comparable to that in some Western countries" such as France. However, in monetary terms, France's per capita spend for culture is 197.20 Euro/US$250 per year. There is due to the fact that Hong Kong's public spending as a percentage of GDP is low compared with other developed nations. On average Government expenditures were more than 40% of GDP in OECD countries in 2001. In 2008 the French government’s expenditure amounted to over 50% of its total GDP, whereas Hong Kong’s figure is around 19%.
In the 2006-2007 Policy Address, Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced that the Arts and Sport Development Fund would receive US $5 million dollars to support cultural activities.
The ADC receives an annual subvention of around US $12 million dollars from the Home Affairs Bureau and around US $3 million on average from the Arts and Sports Development Fund. In addition to providing grants to arts groups, the ADC has established an Arts Service Centre in Sheung Wan to provide office space and facilities for smaller arts organizations.
The LCSD provides funding for the annual Hong Kong Arts Festival and nine professional performing companies: the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Hong Kong Dance Company, Hong Kong Ballet, City Contemporary Dance Company, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Chung Ying Theatre, Zuni Icosahedron and Theatre Ensemble . In addition to individual events, it also organizes two arts festivals per year: the summer International Arts Carnival for families and children, and a themed arts festival in the fall.
Read more about this topic: Hong Kong Cultural Policy
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