WKCDA to Engage Stakeholders for Performing Arts Facilities Planning

To provide facilities with the highest quality which best suit the arts community's needs and aspirations, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) will soon conduct a stakeholder engagement exercise to seek key stakeholders’ views on the proposed artistic positioning and individual technical features of the 15 Core Arts and Cultural Facilities proposed in WKCD (the district). Beginning from January 2011, the Authority will conduct a series of focus group meetings with arts and culture stakeholders on priority, clustering, stacking and sharing of facilities. Their views will help WKCDA work out a viable phasing strategy and make the most effective use of floor area and financial resources.

The Authority has proposed to include specific education or learning spaces in the performing arts facilities as integration of education and life-long learning activities is one of the key defining missions of WKCD. Different forms of company-in-resident scheme will also be provided for performing arts groups to work, perform and organise education programmes or workshops in the district.

The exercise is being conducted independently from the Conceptual Plan Options consultation and will have no bearings on the Conceptual Plan selection process. However, the views collected in this exercise will be useful in the preparation of the final development plan once a Conceptual Plan is selected by the WKCDA Board.

A document outlining the artistic positioning and technical features of each performing arts facility is available at the WKCDA’s website (www.wkcda.hk) for public information. Members of the public who are interested in the performing arts facility discussion may contact WKCDA (Tel: 2895 0127) or send their views to the WKCDA by post or email (info@wkcda.hk).