Local talent can be retained if arts master's are gained

In pragmatic Hong Kong, a perception exists that fine arts are not something one studies seriously at university, never mind at the postgraduate level.

With finance, business, management and information technology topping the popularity lists of postgraduate programmes offered at local tertiary institutions and other private providers, supporting the arts to the average Hong Kong resident may translate into buying tickets for Stomp, Rent or the latest hyped - and imported - production that rolls into the city.

In his recent policy address, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said: 'Cultural and creative industries can propel the economy to a new level.' In Britain, this sector had an annual growth of 8 per cent from 1997 to 2001 due to government support. The same sector accounted for only 4 per cent of Hong Kong's GDP. Mr Tsang said the territory's growth was stunted by limited fostering of creative talent.

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (APA) could play a large role in nurturing local talent up to the managerial level with the introduction of five master's programmes by 2008, including master's degrees in fine arts in its schools of dance and music, tentatively by next year.

The degrees would help fill a gap in practice-based postgraduate programmes for the performing arts, said Herbert Huey Man-chiu, associate director of administration and registrar for the APA.

'We are thinking of performance and practice-based master's giving in-depth training to students inclined to have performance as their ultimate goal,' Mr Huey said.