The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts proudly held the Launch Ceremony for its 40th Anniversary Celebration in the Academy Atrium on the evening of September 26, 2024. The Academy was honoured to receive a congratulatory video message from The Honourable John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The ceremony was officiated by The Honourable Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr. Lin Nan, Deputy Director-General, Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; alongside Mr. Charles Yang Chuen-liang, Chairman of the Academy Council and Professor Gillian Choa, Director of the Academy.
The Honourable John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, recognised the contribution of the Academy in performing arts education in a congratulatory video message, stating, “The Government supports the Academy’s efforts in nurturing cultural talent for Hong Kong and the country. We believe that the Academy’s potential establishment of a new campus in the Northern Metropolis could provide much-needed space for programme development. Meanwhile, we also support the Academy in bringing in a higher proportion of non‑local students to its programmes. These developments, I am certain, could enrich Hong Kong’s talent pool in performing arts in light of the industry’s evolving needs.”
Mr. Charles Yang, Chairman of the Academy Council, expressed, “As the sole tertiary institution in Hong Kong dedicated to nurturing performing arts talents, the Academy is committed to providing exceptional education to its students, resulting in remarkable success. Graduates of the Academy have become pillars of the performing arts industry, showcasing their talents on different stages, serving Hong Kong, and making significant contributions to the country. Their captivating performances enhance the wellbeing and quality of life of the public, promote the development of arts and culture in Hong Kong as well as foster cultural exchanges between the region and the global community. It is worth noting that the Academy has been ranked the top positions in the QS World University Rankings in the Performing Arts category, recognising its outstanding achievements. Following tonight\’s launch event, the Academy will host a series of celebratory events, and the participation of the community is warmly welcomed.”
Professor Gillian Choa, Director of the Academy, remarked, “Earlier this year, with the support of our Council, we completed a 10-year Strategic Plan that will guide the Academy into the future, and we are excited to launch it today. The key goals of which are: Scaling up local, national/GBA and international talent development and cultural impact; Enriching transformative learning experience for performing arts education; Impactful research on technology-enabled performing arts practices, and Building a campus of creativity and sustainability, with a mission to nurture a new generation of performing artists and cultural leaders with a global impact in the region. I would like to thank the HKSAR Government for its unwavering support and pledge our commitment to ensure the Academy’s continued success and relevance in the performing arts sector over the next decade and beyond.”
To mark this significant occasion, the Academy showcased a wide array of performances during the ceremony, celebrating this milestone and highlighting the immense talent of students from the Academy’s six Schools in the performing arts. The celebratory event featured film showreels and screenings, along with captivating performances of Chinese opera, dance, music, and drama by faculty members and students, as well as showcasing outstanding stage designs.