24 March 2010

Speech of Mr Graham Sheffield, Chief Executive Officer (designate), West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, to the Media on 24 March 2010

It feels good to be here. I'm a big fan of this city, and I look forward to the time when I can start in earnest to help bring the vision of the West Kowloon Cultural District to life.

It's a privilege for me to have been chosen for the role of Chief Executive Officer to lead this project.

The opportunity to be a part of something of this scale and importance does not come along often.

Hong Kong is one of the great centres of the world. It is also a city with a rich cultural history.  Name of Hong Kong so resonant -  sophisticated, cosmopolitan, vibrant, successful – a unique place……and as such ideally positioned to become the next great world arts city.  To me, the fact that Hong Kong is planning a district of this scale is testament to how serious it is about arts and culture, both in terms of local creativity, capacity – and expanding the international scale and diversity of Hong Kong’s offer.

Governments around world, including that of the United Kingdom, are  increasingly aware of the importance of arts/culture -  in education, for quality of life, and in terms of positioning a city in the minds of potential visitors, city workers, and of course inward investment.  A healthy thriving arts scene just makes a better city in which to live. 

Indeed, it is a defining moment for Hong Kong, and for me of course. I am very optimistic about the future of its arts and cultural scene. You all have ambition, potential, commitment and passion.

I am looking forward to building and working with a team of people who are just as passionate about the arts as I am.  A multi-skilled, and multi-national team (from here and around the world) to address the different facets of this complex scheme.  It will be an honour to be leading them.

I have 20 years’ senior experience in two of the world’s great arts centres – both in London, 15 at the Barbican, building international, local and diverse programming across art forms, building audience trust and diversity, and making a very complex building function effectively for visitors.

The Barbican now has a distinct brand that automatically communicates the quality of excellence of its programming.  During my time there we have seen the Barbican go from strength to strength, now presenting and commissioning and partnering the world’s finest in the performing and visual arts.

We have created a major destination for locals and visitors alike, one that attracts well over a million ticketed visitors a year. I am determined to bring this spirit of enterprise and imagination to West Kowloon.

Education in the arts has always been part of my mission. I started and built an extensive educational programme to nurture interest in the arts, the understanding of arts, and participation in the arts – a programme of lifelong learning and active engagement.  I am determined to bring this passion for education to the realisation of the West Kowloon project.

Remember - we all hope we will be here for the opening, but we are building a centre for the future and for future audiences – for the next generations.

One priority will be to cultivate an excellent network across the Mainland and the Greater China, putting Hong Kong at the centre of the scene and bringing Mainland visitors across to provide audiences at West Kowloon.

As well as to be a good friend/colleague to other leading arts hubs in the region, I am confident that we can create a great arts success story here - similar to the Barbican, but absolutely distinctive to Hong Kong.  We at WKCDA will work with the community, with local arts groups, build local pride and engagement, but also creating something of global resonance and global impact.  I have no doubt whatsoever that the West Kowloon Cultural District will put Hong Kong firmly on the map of “must-see, must-experience” destinations for culture-seekers from here and across the world.

I look forward to working with everyone on this exciting new landmark for Hong Kong. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Board of the Authority for putting their trust in me.

Thank you very much.

Video: Speech of Mr. Graham Sheffield                  (00:01-05:55)