Academy for Performing Arts' graduates to make use of new media
New director Adrian Walter wants graduates to excel at making use of new and social media
Graduates of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (APA) should be "global artists" of the 21st century - people who are not only professional, artistically, but also excel at communicating through new media, the academy's new director said on his first public appearance yesterday in Hong Kong.
Adrian Walter expressed his ambition to strengthen the position of the academy as a hub for Asian performing arts, and also delivered an eloquent classical guitar performance.
The 56-year-old said one of his key missions would be to improve communication, both by the academy and the students.
"We are not very good at telling people the good things we do," said Walter. "Artists are like that, [but] communication will need to be improved."
Walter said that performing artists centre on a "portfolio career" where they do a range of activities. But one of his missions would be to promote the entrepreneurial qualities of students so they could be productive in the wider field of creative industries.
Walter said he hoped the academy could ride on the new-media and social-media trends. He proposed that the APA produce a smartphone app featuring one-minute performances, from drama to music, by students. He also suggested an APA YouTube channel to promote students' talents.