Press Releases

Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme launched

A five-year pilot scheme initiated by the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee to enhance the development of people with disabilities in the arts and cultural fields was launched today (June 18).

With $27.71 million funding support by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme aims at helping people with disabilities to shine through their artistic abilities and perseverance.

Speaking at the press briefing on the Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre this (June 18) afternoon, the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Dr Raymond Wu, said: "The objectives of this five-year pilot project are to assist people with disabilities to develop a life-long interest in arts and culture; as well as to enhance basic training for them in these fields.

"The scheme is also tasked to support and help people with disabilities with potential and talent in pursuing a career in arts and culture at the elite level.

"It is hoped that the cultural life of people in Hong Kong will be further enriched through promoting arts and cultural performances by people with disabilities."

The Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr John Chan, said: "We fully sponsor this five-year project to promote the concept that people with or without disabilities can integrate harmoniously and rejoice in all forms of the arts.

"By offering more opportunities to be in touch with different forms of the arts, it is hoped that people with disabilities will learn to express themselves and gain self confidence."

The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Ms Christine Fang, welcomed the implementation of the "Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme".

She expected the project to strive for a balanced development in popularising the interest in arts by people with disabilities and strengthening the formation of top level disabled artists.

"It is equally important that the cultural and arts activities by people with disabilities should be fully integrated in the mainstream artistic field," she said.

The international renowned visiting China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe gave its first of five performances in Hong Kong at Hong Kong Cultural Centre tonight following the Launching Ceremony of the Scheme.

The Launching Ceremony of the Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme cum My Dream Spectacular Show by the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe is co-organised by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service/ Joint Council for the Physically And Mentally Disabled Hong Kong, and sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Kicking off the scheme, the Hong Kong Jockey Club invited 1,700 people with disabilities and their carers to a free show by the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe on June 18. Four workshops will follow so that artists from the mainland, people in Hong Kong with disabilities and arts education workers can join together to share their experiences and tips on how to interest people with disabilities in developing art forms.

Under the Scheme, there will be a series of training, sponsorship and performance programmes, including basic training, training support, scholarships, sponsoring performance groups, as well as promotional and publicity activities. The Scheme will be administered by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau. A designated website for the Scheme will be set up shortly to provide more information about the Scheme.

Officiating guests of the Launching Ceremony include the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai; the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Lawrence Wong; the Chairperson of Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Dr Raymond Wu; the Chairperson of Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the Hon Bernard Chan; the Chairperson of Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong, Dr Marion Fang; the Chairperson of Hong Kong Joint Council for the Physically and Mentally Disabled, Mr Cheung Kin-fai; and the President of China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe, Ms Wang Yuan.

End/Wednesday, June 18, 2003
NNNN