Cultural Policy and the Development of Local Cultures in Hong Kong

Abstract

Fifteen years after Hong Kong’s return to China, culture is considered one of the important resources for the growth of the cultural and creative industries. As a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, the Hong Kong government has committed itself to diversify the local economy by promoting the cultural and creative industries as one of the six core areas of long-term economic development. Large-scale developments such as the multi-billion dollar West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) project promise invigorated cultural activity for both local residents and the tourism market. But critics have lamented Hong Kong’s lack of a cultural policy, and its visionary WKCD project has attracted repeated calls to prioritize “cultural software” development – i.e., cultural growth, audience development and cultural consumption and production. A major priority for Hong Kong’s future is the development of local cultures in the context of a rapidly developing Pearl Delta Region, China’s increased economic power, a globalized economy, extensive civic freedom, growing affluence and increasing dissatisfaction with the political leadership. This chapter discusses three key issues of identity, sustainability and leadership through three portraits of Hong Kong: (1) the WKCD project, (2) the arts in education and UNESCO’s Seoul Agenda, and (3) community-based arts education and teacher education.