'Big nine' performing arts groups to ignore calls to share government cash
Major arts groups say they will try to get their share of extra funds as there is no mechanism to ensure money would go to smaller groups
Some big, publicly funded performing arts groups will press ahead with bids for extra money put up by the government, despite a call to leave the cash for emerging organisations.
The "big nine" arts groups said that even if they stayed out of the bidding for the HK$30.4 million in additional funds offered by the Home Affairs Bureau, the money would not be funnelled to smaller ones.
They added that the lack of a cultural policy with clearly defined goals and strategies had given rise to a funding mechanism that could not develop local arts and culture.
The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and the Chung Ying Theatre Company both said they would bid for a share of the money, while the Hong Kong Sinfonietta has yet to decide.
Experimental theatre group Zuni Icosahedron - one of the nine - called on the government on Monday to direct the funds to smaller groups. It said it would not bid for a share.
For the year 2013-14, the total amount of financial provision for the major performing arts groups was about HK$304 million, including HK$13.5 million earmarked for new projects.