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SCMP Reporter

Aspiring young artists now have the chance to learn painting and drawing in an inspiring historical setting.

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has recently set up its new Academy of Visual Arts in  the former Royal Air Force Officers' Mess in Kowloon Bay.

The  38,000 sq ft building, which the university is renting from the government, was built in the 1930s,  and is an example of early 20th century European  architecture. It is  categorised as a Grade I  listed building.

The university has reconstructed parts of the building and the students are already having lessons  there.

However, the full reconstruction project is only expected to be completed next summer as it has to follow strict guidelines set by the government's Antiquities and Monuments Office to preserve the original style of the building.

The University Grants Committee has provided the university with a $37 million start-up fund to cover the renovation and five-year rental charges  for the premises.

When it is finished, the academy  will have a main gallery and 12 studios for activities such as ceramics, jewellery design, installation art, photography and sculpture.

'I like the building. It is full of style and it's tranquil. The main campus is very crowded. This location provides more inspiration to study and create art,' says Year One arts student Candy Chan Ching-yi.

The 20-year-old undergraduate says that it had been her wish, since she was young,  to study arts  at university, but there were few opportunities for aspiring artists in Hong Kong.

Of the eight local universities, only the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and now HKBU  offer fine arts degree programmes. CUHK recruits only 20 students a year.

But HKBU's new programme - a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts - offered places to 40 students this academic year. And an additional 25 places will be provided from next year  to associate degree holders for Year Two admissions.

With so few arts places available at Hong Kong universities, competition to get on HKBU's new programme was  tough. This year's freshmen were selected from more than 400 applicants who had  to take a  sketching test and present their  portfolios to professors at an interview.

Assistant Professor Choi Yan-chi says that the academy will not only provide fine arts courses, but also applied arts courses which aim to  provide  graduates with skills suitable for the job market.

In addition to traditional drawing, painting, aesthetics and Chinese calligraphy classes, students can also learn about exhibit design, photography, digital media and multi-media design - skills which are  needed in many industries.

Student Eric Cheng Ka-wah, 19, says he is optimistic about a future career as an artist even though many people, especially in Hong Kong, think that it is a difficult way to earn a living. He explains that art graduates can work as designers, advertising directors and curators.

He also thinks that the West Kowloon Cultural District, when it is completed, will offer  many more  opportunities for local artists.

To learn more about the Academy and the new BA programme, visit its website, www.arts.hkbu.edu.hk/{tilde}va/



Artistic heritage