The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) today announced details of its first ADC Arts Space. More than 10 studios with sizes ranging from 400 ft2 to 1,300 ft2 will be leased to local artists/arts groups at affordable rental fees.
The ADC has been concerned about the lack of creative and rehearsal space for arts groups and arts practitioners. In response to the arts community’s needs for arts space, the ADC is actively engaged in discussions with various strategic partners to implement “ADC Arts Space Scheme” to explore usable area for artistic creation. This will help relieve the rental pressure faced by the arts community.
The ADC in collaboration with the government succeeded in enlisting the support of Hip Shing Hong Group of Companies to lease a floor of an industrial building in Wong Chuk Hang at a below-market rate to local artists/arts groups. In support of this project, the government has subsidised about HK$8 million to the ADC for use in areas such as premise refurbishment, start-up and rental support for emerging artists.
Located at the 12/F of 33-35 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, the ADC Arts Space is opposite to the Wong Chuk Hang Station of the MTR South Island Line which will be completed in 2015. Its total floor area is about 10,254 ft2, ceiling height about 10 ft with about 7 ft 11 inches under beams.
Presiding at today’s press conference, Mr Wong Ying-wai, Wilfred, Chairman of the ADC said, “Through a tripartite collaboration between the government, the arts community and the business sector, we succeeded in introducing the ADC Arts Space Scheme to provide arts space for local artists and arts groups at affordable rentals. We hope this will serve as a good example for others to follow and contribute to the development of arts in Hong Kong. ”
Mr Fong Man-Hung, David, Managing Director of Hip Shing Hong Group of Companies said, “It is our honor to sponsor the ADC Arts Space Scheme. We wish to play a part in motivating a more diversified development in the local arts community, both in depth and in width. By so doing, we are not only lending a helping hand to local artists, but also elevating the class of Wong Chuk Hang.”
Given the geographic location, size, ceiling height and future development of the Building, more than 10 studios with sizes ranging from 400 ft2 to 1,300 ft2 will be provided for visual arts/media arts artists.
The duration of the ADC Arts Space Scheme at Wong Chuk Hang is tentatively scheduled for six years, with each tenancy term lasting for two years. The rent for the first leasing term (the first and second year) will be HK$5.5/ft2, plus the operation fee at HK$2.5/ft2. The rent for the second (the third and fourth year) and third leasing term (the fifth and sixth year) will be HK$6.5/ft2 and HK$8/ft2 respectively. The operation fee for the second and third leasing term is yet to be confirmed. Tenants are recommended to form a Tenants Committee and participate in the operation of the Arts Space.
To encourage the development of emerging artists who graduated not more than 3 years, an “Emerging Artists Rental Subsidy Scheme” will be introduced to provide 50% rental subsidy to emerging artists for a maximum of two years. However, tenants are still required to pay the operation fee. The allocation ratio between artists and emerging artists will be 50:50.
The ADC Arts Space Scheme is now open for application and the deadline is 6:30pm, 23 August 2013 (Friday). For details, please visit www.hkadc.org.hk. Studios are tentatively available for occupation by the end of 2013 or early 2014, subject to the renovation progress of the Premises.
