An abrupt management transition at the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC), a distinguished non-profit institution, has caused an extensive staff exodus. Founded in 1977, the HKAC is witnessing a departure of at least half its staff since its former executive director, Connie Lam Suk-yee, stepped down in August 2022.
High-ranking employees, such as Teresa Kwong, the program director, Kattie Fan, the director of its Ifva film and video festival, and Ian Leung, the senior program manager, are among those who have left. These departures, many of them voluntary, followed Lam’s exit after a 13-year tenure.
Lam’s successor, Rebecca Ip, was formerly an executive director of the Hong Kong Ballet and head of Victoria Educational Organisation. Ip’s management approach leans toward profit-generation, encouraging a focus on ceramics and art courses for children.
The HKAC, the first non-government arts venue in Hong Kong, operates without regular government subsidy, depending on rental income from its iconic 19-storey triangular headquarters in Wan Chai. However, with a declining property market and a canceled advertising contract, the HKAC confirmed on July 6 it’s under financial pressure.
The institution’s sustainability depends on diversifying its operations, including offering art programs for children, according to the HKAC. In the last financial year, rental income decreased by 10%, and HKAC reported a deficit of HK$4.9 million. The pandemic also halved the rental income from its galleries, cinema, and theatres.
Furthermore, the introduction of Hong Kong’s national security law in 2020 added more complexities. The Ifva, the center’s independent film and video awards, faced censorship issues regarding politically sensitive scenes. The HKAC faced accusations of self-censorship, cancelling concerts by singer Denise Ho Wan-see in 2021, and a local theatre group’s musical in June over unspecified “infringements”.
Former employees shared that many of the departures were not primarily due to concerns over self-censorship but were a response to the shifting direction under new management. The staff felt that the new leadership lacked respect for HKAC’s close relationship with the local arts community and were uncomfortable running programs they felt had less meaning.
The HKAC has also terminated long-term partnerships and projects, such as Art in Hospital and Class 7A Drama Group, as part of its resource review. These changes coincide with the appointment of several new board members since 2020, which might further influence the center’s future course.
The HKAC has a long history of being at the forefront of public art projects and exhibitions exploring Hong Kong’s identity. However, the emergence of significant venues like the West Kowloon Cultural District and Tai Kwun has overshadowed the HKAC, leading to criticisms of complacency and overemphasis on rental operations. The new management was anticipated to bring positive change; however, according to former employees, those expectations have yet to be met.
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