A Guide for Artists/Groups to Apply for Presentation/Sponsorship by the Leisure and Cultural ServiceLeisure and Cultural Services Department
Arts Festivals under the Festivals Office
[Introduction] [International Arts Carnival] [Asia+ Festival]
[Submission of Proposals] [Assessment Criteria and Procedure]
[Programme and Development Committee] [Art Form Sub-committee]
[Invitation for Specialists] [Enquiries]
Introduction
The Festivals Office presents and organises two arts festivals annually for presentation in the major performance facilities of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD):
- the International Arts Carnival in summer; and
- the Asia+ Festival in autumn.
International Arts Carnival (July-August)
The annual summer festival International Arts Carnival is a tailor-made arts festival for children and families. Featuring various groups of outstanding overseas and local artists each year, the Carnival presents fun-filled performing arts covering dance, musical, drama, puppetry, music, interactive exhibition and multimedia performance to widen the audience’s artistic vision and induce children’s infinite imagination wherever they are in or out of the theatres. The Carnival lines up a wide variety of extension activities, including online programmes, workshops and exhibitions. It also includes parent-child activities organised by LCSD-managed museums and libraries over the summer. This year, the Carnival will be held from 5 July to 11 August.
Asia+ Festival (September-November)
Presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the annual autumn festival “Asia+ Festival”(Asia+) celebrates the cultural diversity of Asia and the Belt and Road regions, showcasing their unique arts and cultures. With the support of consulates and overseas cultural organisations in Hong Kong, Asia+ is a testament to the endless possibilities of cultural collaborations through a variety of events, including stage performances, exhibitions, outdoor carnival and film screenings featuring top-notch artists and troupes. This year, Asia+ will be held from September to November.
Past Festivals
New Vision Arts Festival
From 2002 to 2023, the New Vision Arts Festival in 12 editions strives to push boundaries across different cultures, disciplines and regions, introducing to Hong Kong audiences pioneering, trendsetting and groundbreaking performing arts from around the world. Apart from broadening viewers’ horizons, the NVAF sets out to open people’s minds as well to new possibilities in everyday life. It is also committed to fostering exchange and collaboration between local and overseas artists, nurturing new talents, commissioning new works, and bringing local productions onto the global stage.
ReNew Vision (2020)
The online arts platform brings together Hong Kong and overseas artists in an innovative collection of cyber shows, both supporting the local arts scene in challenging times and enabling artists and audiences to explore the novel realms opened up by the effects of the coronavirus. At the same time, it serves as a memorable prelude to the creative perspicacity of the full-scale New Vision Arts Festival in 2021.
WeWeWebWeb Carnival (2020)
Joining hands with multiple local artists and arts groups to support their creative works on an alternative platform with a view to offering children and parents a wealth of exciting and stimulating online cultural programmes while practicing social distancing.
World Cultures Festival
The biennial World Cultures Festival, held from 2005 to 2019, aims to enhance the public's awareness, understanding and appreciation of the arts and culture of Hong Kong, Asia and other parts of the world and promote Hong Kong's image as a cultural metropolis of Asia.
The Nordics (2019)
The Festival sheds light on five countries, namely Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. Featuring representative artists and art forms of these countries, the Festival offers a rich lineup of music, theatre, dance and multimedia programmes to showcase the unique traditions and contemporary cultures of the region, in an attempt to broaden the horizons of local audiences.
Vibrant Africa (2017)
To showcase the wide variety of arts in Africa, the Festival presented distinctive programmes with artist from Senegal, South Africa, Benin, Gambia, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Angola. Programmes including music, dance, theatre, inspiring extension activities such as talks, workshops, exhibitions, outdoor carnival, and outreach performances in shopping malls and schools were also organised during the festival period.
A Decade of Exquisite Arts (2015)
To showcase the cream of performing arts around the world, it presented a rich array of programmes of dance, music, theatre, song and dance, as well as Chinese opera. In addition to stage performances, various extension activities such as outdoor and foyer performances, exhibitions, workshops, talks and student performances were arranged.
Lasting Legacies of Eastern Europe (2013)
The Festival featured the most representative art forms, artists and arts groups of Eastern European countries, namely, Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. An array of programmes including dance, theatre and music was presented to showcase the rich and diversified cultures and traditions of the region inherited from the past and transformed to the present, with new developments reflecting the multi-faceted contemporary society.
Enchanting Arts of Asia (2011)
The Festival showcased the many-faceted gems and beauty of Asian traditional and contemporary arts and cultures, as well as the most representative art forms, artists and arts groups of the Asian region including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, Korea, Bangladesh, etc. The festival also provided a platform for cultural exchange within the region.
The Silk Road Arts Festival (2009)
The Festival sought to illuminate the rich cultural diversity along the Silk Road, traveling from Xian in China across the Taklamakan Desert to Central Asia, the Middle East and on to the Italian capital of Rome.
Mediterranean Arts Festival (2007)
The Mediterranean region has always been exotic and mysterious. With the Mediterranean Sea connecting as well as separating the different countries surrounding it, a rich cultural exchange is brought about. The Mediterranean Arts Festival introduced the audience to the leading artists from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and North Africa in an enchanting showcase of music, dance and drama.
Latin Passion Festival (2005)
The Festival aimed to promote appreciation of Latin American art and culture. A variety approach in the programming direction was adopted so as to provide a wide spectrum of programmes to the audiences. They were streamed into the ethnic; the popular and the contemporary.
Legends of China Festival
In 2001 and 2003, the Legends of China Festival was presented with content based on Chinese legends, folk and historical stories as well as legendary figures in Chinese performing arts. In the 2003 Festival, the scope was expanded to cover programmes of a legendary nature and works depicting memorable times in Chinese history. Other than traditional repertoires, modern works were also featured.
Submission of Proposals
The Festivals Office welcomes proposals of quality and innovative programmes for the Department's presentation or sponsored presentation in the festival/carnival. Proposals with information on the programme concept and form of presentation, artists, production details, estimated budget and background information such as past reviews and recordings etc. are requested to reach the Festivals Office at least ten months prior to the festival/carnival aimed for participation.
Assessment Criteria and Procedure
All programme proposals are assessed in detail according to the same set of criteria. The criteria include the professional and artistic merit of the programme, artists and production personnel concerned, the relevance of the proposed programme to the theme and objectives of the festival/carnival, the overall programme balance of the festival/Carnival, financial implications, technical viability and marketing consideration of the proposed programme. Assessment of proposals is made at the Programme Meetings of the Festivals Office and recommendations will be submitted to the Art Form Sub-committee for comments.
Invitation for Specialists
The Festivals Office is looking for specialists with professional knowledge on performing arts, visual designs and publishing to provide specialist services for programmes and fringe activities of International Arts Carnival and Asia+ Festival. They include but not limited to Lecture Speaker, Moderator/Host, Article Writer, Programme Notes Writer, Translator, Editor, Graphic Designer, Illustrator, and Stage Technical Coordinator. Applicants should have relevant qualifications and experience. Interested parties are welcome to submit application together with a full résumé to the Festivals Office for consideration.
Enquiries
| International Arts Carnival | 2741 1453 |
| Asia+ Festival | 2741 6557 |
| Office Address | Level 5, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| Office Hours | 8:45 am to 1:00 pm 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm From Monday to Friday (Except public holidays) |
| Fax | 2371 4171 |
| Programme Enquires | 2370 1044 |
| fo@lcsd.gov.hk |
If you have any general views on our programmes, please write to us by email: fo@lcsd.gov.hk
or by fax: (852) 2371 4171.