The executive director of the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX), Heidi Chu Ching-han, resigned in mid-September, just weeks before the high-profile international event kicks off on October 14. Chu, a veteran arts administrator, cited personal reasons for her departure, leaving Winsome Chow Wai-sum, chief executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC), to take charge of the HK$42 million (US$5.4 million) expo.
Chu’s resignation comes amidst reported concerns from officials at the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), which oversees the ADC, regarding the event’s community engagement and public awareness efforts. HKPAX was first announced by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu during his 2022 policy address as part of the government’s post-pandemic effort to position Hong Kong as an international hub for cultural exchange. The expo is expected to attract professionals from the performing arts sector and serve as a platform for international networking, show pitching, and touring opportunities.
Scheduled to run from October 14 to 18, HKPAX will take place at major venues across Hong Kong. It features both exclusive events for pass-holders and public performances. The expo includes 15 “International Showcases” selected by an international panel from over 300 applicants, offering a global stage for participants to present their work. Additionally, there are 16 “Expo Programmes,” featuring new commissions and performances from Hong Kong’s nine major performing arts groups.
In an effort to enhance public engagement, Chow emphasized that HKPAX is providing opportunities for young people to participate. “We are bringing students from schools and universities to HKPAX to offer them valuable insights into the performing arts sector,” said Chow. Students are encouraged to request free tickets via email, while members of the public can purchase tickets for certain performances through Urbtix.
An added feature of the expo is the “Ground Search” section, where small- and medium-sized local performing arts groups and individual artists will pitch their shows to international industry professionals. While this section was originally not open to the public, the ADC has now allowed public access, although the artists involved, like On & On Theatre Workshop’s Olivia Chan, see the event as primarily a professional networking opportunity. The theatre group plans to present their contemporary theatre writing program, With Love, Medea’s Boys, in English, as it is aimed at an international audience.
HKPAX promises to be a pivotal event in Hong Kong’s cultural calendar, reflecting the city’s growing role in global cultural exchanges.
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