Background of WKCA

The Government established in April 2006 the Consultative Committee on the Core Arts and Cultural Facilities of the West Kowloon Cultural District (Consultative Committee) and its three advisory groups to re-examine the need for the core arts and cultural facilities to be provided in the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) and the financial implications for developing and operating those facilities. After deliberating for 15 months in close and intensive consultation with the local arts community and related parties, the Consultative Committee recommended to develop 15 performing arts venues and at least 3 hectares of piazza areas, as well as a cultural institution with museum functions (temporarily called the M+) focusing on 20th to 21st century visual culture, and an Exhibition Centre with focus on arts and culture and creative industry. It also recommended to develop the district as a low-density development with ample open space embracing a vibrant harbourfront for public enjoyment and closely connected with neighborhood community. To realize the WKCD's vision, the Consultative Committee also recommended that the Government adopt timely measures to enhance the development of cultural software and human ware in Hong Kong.

A three-month Public Engagement Exercise was carried out from mid-September to mid-December 2007 to explain the Consultative Committee's above recommendations to the public and to gauge public views on the WKCD project. The WKCD project is among 10 major infrastructure projects proposed by the Chief Executive in his 2007 Policy Address. The results of the Public Engagement Exercise indicated strong public support for the recommendations of the Consultative Committee and urged for the early implementation of the WKCD project.

Adopting the recommendations of the Consultative Committee, the Government introduced draft legislation into the Legislative Council in February 2008 for setting up a statutory body, the WKCD Authority, to take forward the project. The WKCD Authority Ordinance was enacted by the Legislative Council on 11 July 2008. In parallel, the Legislative Council also approved an upfront endowment of $21.6 billion for the WKCD Authority to develop the WKCD project. The Chief Executive announced on 23 October 2008 the appointment of members to the Board of the WKCD Authority for a period of two years.

About WKCDA

The West Kowloon Cultural District ("WKCD") is a strategic investment by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to meet the long-term infrastructure needs of the arts and cultural sector, which is a vital part of any world-class city’s economic and social fabric. The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority ("WKCDA") was established under the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Ordinance ("WKCDA Ordinance"), Cap. 601, to develop the WKCD.

Vision

To develop the WKCD into an integrated arts and cultural district that will:

    * provide quality culture, entertainment and tourism programmes with a must-visit appeal to both local residents and visitors from around the world;
    * meet the long-term infrastructure needs of Hong Kong's arts and cultural development and foster organic growth and development of culture and creative industries; and
    * become a cultural hub for attracting and nurturing talents, an impetus to improve quality of life, as well as a cultural gateway to the Pearl River Delta.

Functions

    * To prepare a Development Plan ("DP") for the WKCD to lay out the plan area and set apart the land within it for various land uses;
    * To develop the WKCD in accordance with the land use and other requirements or conditions specified in the approved DP;
    * To provide (including plan, design and construct), operate, manage and maintain arts and cultural facilities, related facilities or ancillary facilities;
    * To advocate, promote, organise, sponsor, encourage and provide for the appreciation of and participation in arts and culture;
    * To promote, exhibit and display the arts publicly and otherwise;
    * To initiate and support the creation, composition, production, learning and practising of the arts; and
    * To perform such other functions as are conferred or imposed on the Authority by or under the WKCDA Ordinance or any other Ordinance.

Objectives

    * To facilitate the long-term development of Hong Kong as an international arts and cultural metropolis;
    * To uphold and encourage freedom of artistic expression and creativity;
    * To enhance and promote excellence, innovation, creativity and diversity in arts and culture;
    * To enhance the appreciation of a diverse and pluralistic range of the arts;
    * To develop new and experimental works in arts and culture;
    * To cultivate and nurture local talents in the arts (including local artists), and local arts groups and arts-related personnel;
    * To encourage wider participation by the local community in arts and culture;
    * To promote and provide arts education to the local community;
    * To facilitate the development of cultural and creative industries;
    * To facilitate and enhance cultural exchange and cooperation between the Mainland of China, Hong Kong and any other place;
    * To facilitate and enhance cooperation between any government or non-government body or organisation and providers of the arts, within and

outside Hong Kong;

    * To encourage community, commercial and corporate support and sponsorship of arts and culture;
    * To provide or facilitate the provision of free and accessible open space within the WKCD to the general public; and
    * To strengthen the position of Hong Kong as a tourist destination