A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Bureau said today (June 19) that with the reopening of performance venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and other places for live audiences, the Government will, with the endorsement of the Anti-epidemic Fund Steering Committee, disburse an additional subsidy of $80,000 from the $150 million Arts and Culture Sector Subsidy Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund to 44 Hong Kong Arts Development Council-funded arts groups, 14 venue partners under the LCSD and 34 Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme grantees, with a view to strengthening the capacity of small and medium-sized arts groups to stage live performances and supporting their operation after the reopening of the performance venues.
 
     The major facilities of the 16 performance venues of the LCSD such as concert halls, theatres, auditoriums, cultural activities halls and arenas have been reopened for performances or activities with live audiences from today with special seating arrangements. Details can be found in the press release issued by the LCSD on June 17 (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202006/17/P2020061700360.htm).
 
     After the completion of the above disbursement, the Government will have disbursed approximately $110 million from the Arts and Culture Sector Subsidy Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund.

Ends/Friday, June 19, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:00

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