HKADC Announced Strategic Development Blueprint for 2026-2028 and Looked forward to 2026 HKPAX

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKEDC) held a media session on Monday (March 23rd), where the new management team, including Chairman, the Hon Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Vice-Chairman, the Hon Chris Ip Ngo-tung, and Chief Executive, Ms. Tsang Shuk Yee, announced the strategic development blueprint for 2026-2028 and looked forward to the second HKPAX, to be held this October.

Chairman, the Hon Kenneth Fok Kai-kong (middle), Vice-Chairman, the Hon Chris Ip Ngo-tung (right), and Chief Executive, Ms. Tsang Shuk Yee (left), Photo by Bastille Post

Pledged to Maintain Funding for Arts Groups, Introduced an Internal Audit to Ensure Efficiency

In light of recent reductions in government resources across various departments, concerns have arisen regarding whether funding for arts groups will be impacted. In response, Vice-Chairman, the Hon Chris Ip Ngo-tung, emphasized that the three management members share a consensus that funding for artists and arts groups “will definitely not be cut”—a principle that represents HKADC's bottom line and core function. Chief Executive, Ms. Tsang Shuk Yee, added that HKADC will achieve cost savings through other means, such as internal resource restructuring, and noted that an internal audit department was established earlier this year to regularly assess funding approvals and internal monitoring processes, ensuring that “every penny of government resources is used effectively.”

Regarding the reform of the funding mechanism, Chairman, the Hon Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, noted that future resource allocation will place greater emphasis on a "merit-based" approach. He said that in the past, the art circles tended to perceive that "while it was difficult to gain entry, once admitted, funding would continue indefinitely." However, as the HKADC's resources are derived from public funds, they should facilitate the mobility and growth of young artists. The Council will reassess the allocation models for one-year, two-year, and project-based grants, and intends to incorporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles to promote the sustainable development of art circles.

Strengthen Integration within the Greater Bay Area, Help Mainland Arts Circles "Go Global"

Over the next three years, HKADC will focus on aligning with the Government's Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development as well as the 15th Five-Year Plan. The Hon Chris Ip Ngo-tung, noted that while Hong Kong possesses a rich cultural heritage, it is constrained by a shortage of venues. In contrast, the Mainland has well-established infrastructure but requires richer cultural content. Moving forward, HKADC will not only serve as a funding body, but also act as an intermediary bridge, strengthening communication with major cultural intermediaries in the Mainland and exploring ways to regularize performances by Hong Kong arts groups across the region.

The Hon Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, further proposed the concept of "deep integration", moving beyond one-way performances to encourage collaborative creation between Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area arts groups. "The artists in Hong Kong may not fully understand the preferences of Mainland audiences, and when the Mainland artists want to go global, they may not be clear about the tastes of foreign audiences." He hopes that through collaboration, the two sides can jointly produce works that can resonate with the audience and leverage Hong Kong's rule of law and international network to assist outstanding Mainland arts programs in reaching a wider audience.

Chairman, the Hon Kenneth Fok Kai-kong (middle), Vice-Chairman, the Hon Chris Ip Ngo-tung (right), and Chief Executive, Ms. Tsang Shuk Yee (left), Photo by Bastille Post

Expand the Integration of Art Industrialization and Technology

To promote the industrialization of the arts, HKADC will focus on expanding the market for cultural tourism products—for example, by industrializing initiatives such as “Arts in the City”—and will organize exchange meetings between the industry and business sectors to explore non-governmental resources. With regard to the combination of art and technology, the Hon Kenneth Fok Kai-kong revealed that HKADC has already held three editions of its ARTS‧TECH Exhibition, with last year’s 3.0 version attracting over 100,000 attendees. This October, in conjunction with HKPAX, version 4.0 will be launched to further promote the integration of technology and culture in creative endeavors.

ARTS‧TECH Exhibition, Photo source: HKADC

Surge in International Applications for HKPAX Highlights Hong Kong’s Unique Advantages

The Hon Kenneth Fok Kai-kong stated that the successful inaugural edition of HKPAX established a strong international reputation. This year, the second edition saw a surge in applications, exceeding 800. In addition to recognizing HKPAX's value, many overseas teams are drawn to Hong Kong as a "stepping stone" to the vast Mainland market. "Foreign friends appreciate Hong Kong for our linguistic advantages, and more importantly, they have confidence in Hong Kong's rule of law. They feel secure signing contracts and conducting business here."

This year's HKPAX will once again be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and other iconic venues, featuring international high-quality performances, project presentations, lectures, and public engagement activities. The detailed arrangements will be officially announced in May.

HKPAX, Photo source: HKADC

Release Hong Kong Pitch to Crossover with Shanghai International Arts Festival

To support local arts groups, Ms. Tsang Shuk Yee stated that this year's HKPAX will feature a special "Hong Kong Pitch" segment, showcasing 10 Hong Kong performing groups to international buyers, to facilitate tours of these productions in the Chinese Mainland, Australia, South Korea, Canada, and other regions.

Meanwhile, HKADC is working closely with the Chinese Mainland to pursue resource sharing and synergy. The Hon Kenneth Fok Kai-kong revealed that he had previously discussed cooperation opportunities with relevant Mainland authorities during the Two Sessions in Beijing, and is currently in discussions with the Shanghai International Arts Festival regarding a joint initiative. "The Shanghai International Arts Festival takes place immediately after Hong Kong's event, and we are exploring ways to coordinate on timing, content, and participating buyers to achieve a synergistic effect."

HKPAX, Photo source: HKADC

Looking Forward to 2028: Adding Mainland Segment to Promote International Expansion

With a view to aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan, HKADC has set even more ambitious goals for the third HKPAX in 2028. Ms. Tsang Shuk Yee noted that, resources permitting, the Council plans to introduce a "Chinese Mainland Segment" for future HKPAX, selecting five to six outstanding Mainland arts groups to attend. Leveraging Hong Kong's role as an international platform and super-connector, top-tier Chinese artistic works will be showcased to overseas buyers, thereby directly facilitating the internationalization of Mainland arts groups and fulfilling Hong Kong's mission as a center for cultural and artistic exchange between China and the world.

HKADC, Photo by Bastille Post

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia-based mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar, known for creating mirrored dreamscapes on buildings across the city, has died, according to a nonprofit art center he created.

Zagar died Thursday at home of complications from heart failure and Parkinson’s disease, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens announced in a statement. He was 86.

Born in Philadelphia, Zagar returned to the city with his wife, Julia, in 1968 after a Peace Corps stint in Peru. Over the years, he created hundreds of public mosaics, many of them along the city’s funky South Street corridor, where they lived.

“He loved South Street, the city of Philadelphia, and the community fostered here with all of his heart," Emily Smith, executive director of the nonprofit, said in a statement.

Zagar used broken glass, tile, mirrors and other found objects in his work, which adorned buildings, walls and alleyways to create what the foundation called “an everlasting mark on our city.” His immersive Magic Gardens on South Street draws thousands of visitors each year.

Development threatened some of his art, including a huge mosaic on an Old City neighborhood building that was home to The Painted Bride Art Center, which he worked on throughout the 1990s. After a long legal fight, demolition on the building began in December, but some of Zagar’s work is being salvaged.

"While Isaiah lived with ups and downs of mental health struggles, and later with Parkinson’s Disease, he endlessly turned to his art-making to not only express himself, but as a tool to survive,” Smith said.

He is survived by his wife, whom he called his muse and artistic partner, and two sons, including Jeremiah Zagar, a filmmaker who directed a 2008 documentary about his father, "In A Dream.”

FILE - Isaiah Zagar sits with his dog Blue at the "Dear Julia" exhibit during an interview at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, May 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

FILE - Julia Zagar, left, and her husband Isaiah Zagar pose for a photo with their dog Blue at the "Dear Julia" exhibit at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens May 26, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)