Contributor: Winsome Chow, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Arts Development Council

Diversity, vibrancy and uniqueness best describes the present Hong Kong arts scene. It does not come by easily but by decades of hard work of arts practitioners based in the city that they love. The rich arts tradition of China and the varied cultures from overseas have been nourishing our arts practitioners who also embrace the use of technology as well as academic studies and research. Above all, an open mindset and an eagerness to connect, innovate and excel characterise in particular the most active generation of Hong Kong arts practitioners now. They are ready for the world stage.

With the full support of the Hong Kong SAR Government and a vibrant arts and culture community bolstered by new cultural venues such as Tai Kwun, M+ Museum, Hong Kong Palace Museum and the coming East Kowloon Cultural Centre and WKCDA Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong is at a juncture prepared to spring above challenges of limited physical space and audience market. The Hong Kong Arts Development Council is honoured to host the inaugural Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX) in 2024, which testifies our vision to establish Hong Kong as a dynamic and forward moving cultural metropolis, and to promote arts development in the region and beyond.  HKPAX should be one of the first large-scale and new cultural offerings for the international arts community since the pandemic and we welcome you all.

We hope HKPAX can deepen and expand the East-meets-West tradition of Hong Kong to facilitate multi-layer and multi-dimensional exchanges between arts institutions, professional groups, artists, producers, designers and other practitioners. From 14 to 18 October 2024, a series of Expo Programmes, International Showcases, Pitch Sessions, Talks, Exhibition and Networking activities will form a solid platform for exchange among cultural leaders and arts practitioners from around the world and our neighbouring regions including the Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific, East Asia and the most adjacent Greater Bay Area. To engage in meaningful dialogues or multilogues to foster artistic and professional exchange is at the core of our facilitation. We also believe culture pertains to people’s lives and HKPAX hopes to provide a wide platform for individuals in the arts community to rekindle friendships and build new connections.

Two HKPAX events, including International Showcases and Pitch Sessions, are currently open for applications worldwide from now until 30 October 2023.  We hope that HKPAX will provide an ideal springboard for international arts practitioners to tap on the rapidly emerging market in China and the regions of Asia, strengthening the ties of the performing arts industries around the world.  Please visit www.hkpax.org.hk for details and updates.

It is with pleasure that we also wish to announce the appointment of Ms Heidi Chu as Executive Director of the HKPAX.  Heidi started her career at the opening of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and has decades of experience working in the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government. From managing venues to programming community arts and leading arts festivals, she has been in close collaboration with numerous local and international artists and arts groups. She rose through the ranks to become a Chief Manager in 2014 overseeing the organisation of the International Arts Carnival and New Vision Arts Festival.  Prior to joining the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Heidi was a consultant of the Hong Kong Palace Museum to support the opening of the Museum. .