Nurturing Arts Tech Talent
The Club and the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) has signed a Memorandum of Co-operation with the Palace Museum, which includes the establishment of a cultural exchange hub in Beijing. IoP is an independent “think-fund-do” tank established by the Club and its Charities Trust.
The memorandum outlines an approximately HK$440 million donation from the IoP to launch a five-year project promoting Chinese culture and values in Hong Kong, the Mainland and worldwide, as well as supporting talent development initiatives in the arts technology and cultural sectors. The integration of arts and technology, while fostering exchange between Hong Kong and the Mainland, will be a key aim of the initiative. It will also comprise restoration and conservation of the historic Chengqiangong, which will become the home of The Palace Museum Hong Kong Cultural Exchange Hub; thematic exhibitions on the horse in history and culture or relating to the palace; touring exhibitions in Beijing and Hong Kong with educational activities to foster cultural exchange; capacity building programmes to nurture arts tech talent; and knowledge dissemination and educational projects to promote Chinese culture.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Club Chairman Michael Lee said the five-year project, drawing on the valuable cultural resources of the Palace Museum in Beijing, will integrate arts and technology to launch a number of cultural exchange, exhibition, talent capacity building and educational programmes. Citizens in the Mainland and Hong Kong, especially young people, will be able to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese history and culture.
The Club’s collaboration with the Palace Museum underlines its commitment to promoting Chinese culture in support of the Central Government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan. Notably, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, funded by a donation of HK$3.5 billion from the Charities Trust – the Club’s largest single charity donation to date – is organising a series of exhibitions and educational initiatives with the Club’s support.