Hong Kong Arts Festival Society Limited

Launched in 1973, the Hong Kong Arts Festival is a major annual Festival in the region and one of Asia's premier cultural events. Each year the Festival offers a broad spectrum of programmes, ranging from classical fare to cutting-edge productions. In addition to an active programme of international cocommissions, the Festival also commissions and produces work in theatre, chamber opera and contemporary dance by Hong Kong’s own creative talents. These productions have had successful subsequent runs both in and outside Hong Kong after the premiere season in the Festival. Close to 100 Festival PLUS programmes are organized each year offering a diverse range of activities to enhance the engagement between artists and audiences: lecture demonstrations, masterclasses, workshops, symposia, backstage visits, exhibitions, meet-the-artist sessions, play-reading, guided tours, film screenings and other events. The Festival also puts considerable effort and resources into promoting young people’s interest in the arts. Launched in 1992, its Young Friends (YFS) has in the past two decades reached out to nearly 650,000 students and about 120,000 Young Friends members. YFS members enjoy special access to Festival events and performances, together with year round activities.