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International Museum Day 2014, Hong Kong (IMD 2014, HK) will be held on May 17 and 18. On these two days, 42 participating local cultural institutions, including the museums under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will offer free admission to the public.
With the theme "Museum Collections Make Connections", IMD 2014, HK, emphasises that it is important for museums to revamp traditional methods of presenting their collections so as to remain in touch with the public and to create bonds between visitors, generations and cultures from around the world.
To tie in with the event, a variety of activities and educational programmes will be held by the participating museums and venues. For instance, "The Storyteller", held by the Hong Kong Museum of Art, will review the life of artists in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The workshops "Making Art Inspired by Ju Ming" and "A Miraculous Experience In Print-making", held respectively by the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Conservation Office, will challenge the minds and skills of participants. The Hong Kong Museum of History will hold an interactive activity, "Fun Fair at Museum Street", to enable members of public to experience walking on an old Hong Kong street. The Hong Kong Science Museum will show the film "Secret Universe-Journey Inside the Cell", which tells the story of the billion-year battle between a human cell and an adenovirus for control of DNA. "LOHAS Herb Garden Delight" will encourage people to discover the herb garden at the art space Oi!.
A specially designed IMD Yo Yo Memo Pad will be available for visitors to the participating museums and venues who collect four different stamps on a guide map. The Hong Kong Museum of Art will give out softee ice creams to visitors who purchase special exhibition admission tickets at "Surprise Treat @2-5pm".
The 42 participating local cultural institutes comprise the Hong Kong Museum of Art and its branch, Hong Kong Museum of History and its branches, Hong Kong Heritage Museum and its branches, Hong Kong Science Museum, Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Film Archive, Conservation Office, Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre, Art Promotion Office and Oi!, Museum of Ethnology, Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Tung Wah Museum, Po Leung Kuk Museum, University Museum and Art Gallery of The University of Hong Kong, Stephen Hui Geological Museum of The University of Hong Kong, Art Museum of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Design Institute Gallery, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Dr & Mrs Hung Hin Shiu Museum of Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Museum of Education of The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong Racing Museum, Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre, Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum, City Gallery, kaitak, Centre for Research and Development in Visual Arts, Lions Nature Education Centre of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Tao Heung Museum of Food Culture, Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, Jao Tsung-I Academy and Police Museum.
Admission to most of the participating institutes will be free of charge on May 17 and 18, except for the Hong Kong Museum of Art Special Exhibition "Ju Ming ﷿ Sculpting the Living World", the Hong Kong Heritage Museum Special Exhibition "Studio Ghibli Layout Designs: Understanding the Secrets of Takahata and Miyazaki Animation", the Stanley Ho Space Theatre of the Hong Kong Space Museum and film programmes at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive. The Hong Kong Maritime Museum will provide free admission for seniors aged 60 and above and children under 18; adults will enjoy a 50% discount. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre will be closed on May 18.
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977 designated May 18th each year as International Museum Day. Since 2001, the LCSD has annually organised IMD, HK, in mid-May with the aim of raising public awareness of the roles and functions of museums in society.
For more details of IMD 2014, HK, please visit the LCSD's website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/imd2014.
Ends/Friday, May 2, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:39
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