Latest progress of Arts and Culture Sector Subsidy Scheme under Anti-epidemic Fund
**********************************************************************************
As at the end of May, the Government had disbursed around $101 million to 463 arts groups/projects as well as more than 2 300 individual arts workers (individual arts workers may receive the subsidy from different organisations).
In particular, under the Arts and Culture Sector Subsidy Scheme, the HAB has entrusted the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) to implement the $50 million Support Scheme for Arts and Cultural Sector, covering performances and activities affected by the epidemic from January 29 to June 30 and projects not funded by the HKADC and freelancers. As at June 2, the HKADC had dispersed subsidies to each of the 42 organisations receiving grants from the HKADC and the 363 HKADC and non-HKADC funded/commissioned projects/activities, and 737 freelancers. In the meantime, the HKADC is now processing approximately 50 applications for projects not funded by it and more than 2 400 applications from freelancers. Arts organisations and freelancers are encouraged to make applications to the HKADC as soon as possible.
The HAB earlier engaged the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong (Barwo) to collect details of the affected professional Cantonese opera performances in the period from January 29 to April 30 and disburse subsidies to the practitioners of various categories, both members and non-members of Barwo included, involved in the performances. Barwo began the disbursement to the relevant practitioners on April 23.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui, met with the Chairperson and representatives of Barwo on May 25 to explore ways to promote the development of Cantonese opera and, among other initiatives, the inclusion of the affected performances scheduled for May and June in the scheme.
Ends/Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
NNNN