But solid infrastructure and robust institutions alone do not create a cultural hub, which needs to evolve organically, at the grass-roots level, to stimulate creative growth within society.
03:44
Art Basel Hong Kong 2024 opens as city boosts mega-events to draw visitors
Art Basel Hong Kong 2024 opens as city boosts mega-events to draw visitors
Artists and other creatives are the critical element in cultivating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. This is a weakness of Hong Kong that requires further attention and action.
The most significant challenge lies broadly within the mindset of the local community. Traditionally, the city is more oriented towards pragmatic, business-focused pursuits, with limited career paths related to the arts and culture.
This is slowly changing as exposure to art and culture has intensified in the last decade, with a greater emphasis in our schools and universities. The Education Commission has highlighted arts education as one of five essential pillars, and the Education Bureau supports schools with curriculum development. But places and programmes at publicly funded universities are limited, and competition for places is intense.
The merits of creative expression, which expands perspectives and communicates ideas, are becoming better understood in relation to our society’s well-being, national pride and ability to bring tangible economic benefits.
However, there is still work to be done to translate this growing interest at the university level into a mainstream acceptance of the arts and culture as a career choice.
04:37
Never too old to start: Hong Kong’s ‘Flower Granny’ creates heart-warming art at age 92
Never too old to start: Hong Kong’s ‘Flower Granny’ creates heart-warming art at age 92
The high cost of living and lack of affordable studio and exhibition space in Hong Kong are the key factors hindering the growth and retention of local creative talent. Many of our most respected and successful artists opt to live and work overseas, in established cultural hubs such as Berlin, Tokyo, London and New York.
These global centres not only offer more accessible and affordable spaces but also have a stronger and long-standing tradition of supporting young and emerging talent through actively engaging collectors, patrons and gallerists – often underpinned by robust government policies and investment.
Hong Kong has the talent and much of the hardware. To bridge the gap, enable local talent to thrive and appeal to creative professionals from overseas, we must be more competitive and provide affordable living and working spaces to foster their development and career opportunities.
Addressing these gaps through increased public and private investment and supportive government policies will be crucial for Hong Kong to realise its potential as a leading art and cultural destination.
Our success requires support from the public and private sectors, a greater community-wide understanding of the career opportunities within the arts and culture, and economic benefits. We need to nurture our unique and vibrant creative spirit to make our city a global cultural powerhouse.
Dr Jane Lee is president of Our Hong Kong Foundation
