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| Introducing The Jockey Club
Performing Arts Venue Subsidy Scheme. |
Arts groups are like saplings that require time and
the right blend of soil in which to grow — haste only
makes waste.
In Hong Kong, it is unfortunate that only a
few are willing to dip into their pockets for arts
performances. While it is easier for large arts groups
to attract sponsorship, it is a different story for their
smaller-sized counterparts. With less funding and
resources, small arts groups' growth is inevitably
limited. That's why the Jockey Club Performing Arts
Venue Subsidy Scheme is in place, with an aim to
nurture and assist small and medium arts groups by
lessening their financial burdens.
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| A refreshing performance mixes
Chinese music with a tic tac dance |
POPULARITY DOES NOT EQUAL PROFIT
Setting the scene was the Black Box Theatre at
the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre in Shek Kip
Mei. A spotlight came onto the dancer on the stage,
who turned in a breath-taking piece of tap dancing.
Within an hour and a half, the dance floor was
witness to a spectacular solo, pas de deux and corpse
dance pieces. While there was only a foot of space
to separate the audience from the stage, this theatre
could never compare to the grandeur of theatres
in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre or the Hong
Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Yet there was a
unique sense of closeness.
This was the second open performance by
dance company Rhythm & Tempo (R&T) since their establishment in 2008, and their first time
at the Black Box Theatre. According to Wing,
manager of R&T, the audio-visual equipment, the
lighting and the stage design were all perfect, and
they could not be happier with the close to fullhouse
attendance. But Wing told us of a common
phenomenon in arts circles — even if there is a full
house every night, one would at best break-even as
there is hardly any profit.
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| Countless hours are spent by Lau Ming Hang, or 'the Priest',
to produce his props |
SUBSIDIES FOR SUCCESS
Wing was not kidding. While the production
costs of R&T's performance, which include salary,
stage setup, equipment and promotion, are close to
HK$200,000, the box office of six performances
was just over HK$70,000. Wing was therefore very
grateful for the Jockey Club Performing Arts Venue
Subsidy Scheme, and that they were able to use the
Black Box Theatre for free. With other sponsorships
and the help of their dancers, who were willing to
cut salaries for the love of arts, the company lowered
production costs and avoided too much loss.
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| Wing, Manager of R&T,
says small and medium arts groups
are struggling to survive |
"The waiver on the venue rental is definitely
helpful in raising the scale and quality of our
production," said Wing, recalling their first performance
on a small scale with only six dancers and one drummer,
a result of a small budget. While their performances
were getting rave reviews, they hoped to expand their
production and bring in new blood. Without the Jockey
Club's subsidy scheme, this dream would never come
true. "It's worth noting that we have 18 performers, a
drummer and a pianist/music director in this Beat. Me.
Tap. performance, so it was three times the scale of our
last performance," Wing explained with joy. "I hope
our supporters will find that we improve every time
so they will continue to support and recommend our
performances to their friends."
Wing believed that only an increase in performance
goers can resolve the problems faced by local arts groups.
"The Jockey Club's subsidy scheme has brought more
performing opportunities for small and medium arts
groups. When there are more of these arts groups, there
will be a better atmosphere for the appreciation of arts
and more people will be willing to go to arts shows."
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| Pursuit of perfection in every
aspect from lighting and music,
to choreography |
THE RISE OF SMALL PLAYERS
Lau Ming Hang, nicknamed 'the Priest' and creator
of the recent hand-made three-dimensional paper
story book show Am I Crying, successfully combined
the traditional art forms of Chinese story-telling,
paper dolls, puppets and paper-cutting art into a
special show.
While all of the five performances of the show
were almost full, ticket sales were hardly enough to
pay for the props, promotion and venue. As for the
salaries of his performers and musicians, Lau only paid
them a transport subsidy, and there was nothing left
for himself. "It took me months just to produce the
story book props, during which I had to reduce my
other work — lowering my income as well," Lau said.
Thanks to the Jockey Club Performing Arts Venue
Subsidy Scheme and some other financial aids, Lau was
able to make this show a reality.
Lau considered himself lucky that it is relatively
easier for him to find sponsorship as he had been in
the arts circle for a long time. For emerging artists, the
subsidy scheme from the Jockey Club is vital. "Even
rentals of $20,000 to $30,000 can be a huge burden
for small groups, so the subsidy is a big boost for artists
putting together a performance," Lau explained.
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| Exquisite three-dimensional props |
The Club is committed to promoting Hong
Kong's arts development and is well aware of the needs
of local arts group, hence when the Club funded the
conversion of an industrial building into the Jockey
Club Creative Arts Centre, the renovation of the
basement into what is now the Black Box Theatre
was already part of the plan. By launching the venue
subsidy scheme, small arts group can experience what
it is like to stage a show, from planning, promotion,
box office, to performance, and be able to gradually
build up their audience base and grow steadily.
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THE JOCKEY CLUB PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
SUBSIDY SCHEME ENABLES LONG-TERM GROWTH OF
SMALL AND MEDIUM ARTS GROUPS
The Jockey Club donated HK$7.5 million in 2008 to fund the Jockey
Club Performing Arts Venue Subsidy Scheme, in partnership with
the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. The scheme offers
complimentary use of the Black Box Theatre at the Jockey Club
Creative Arts Centre to eligible local small and medium arts groups,
as well as emerging artists, in an attempt to increase performing
opportunities for the local arts community, and raise Hong Kong's
arts standards.
Website: www.hkadc.org.hk/jcpavss
Enquiries: 2827 8786 |
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