The
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts was established in 1984
as a major tertiary institution providing for professional education,
training and research facilities in the performing and related
technical arts.
Its
educational policy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong
with emphasis on both Chinese and Western traditions. The Academy
was granted degree-awarding status in1992 following an accreditation
by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation.
The
heart of training for the performance arts is Performance itself,
and the Academy is one of Hong Kong's most important performance
centres. Student opera, drama, dance productions, concerts and
recitals are given throughout the year to the public.
In
addition, the Academy plays host to visiting musicians, dance
and drama companies, local and international.
The
Academy also takes its performers out into the community into
schools and community centres as well as in other major performance
venues.
In
1995, the Academy witnessed the first cohort of its Bachelor of
Fine Arts Honours Degree students graduating from the Schools
of Dance, Music and Technical Arts (Theatre), and those from the
School of Drama in 1996. New Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours Degree
programmes in Technical Arts (Television/Film) and in Applied
Design began in 1996/97.
Two
important tasks were completed in 1995. The first was the Interim
Institutional Review conducted by the Hong Kong Council for Academic
Accreditation through which the Academy's status as a Degree-granting
institution is confirmed. The second was an overall policy review
featuring an independently researched survey on the societal needs
of graduates in the performing and related technical arts. The
result of this policy review forms the basis of a submission to
Hong Kong's Broadcasting, Culture & Sport Bureau on the future
growth and development of the Academy.
Career
opportunities in the performing arts are now established in Hong
Kong - but each year more students apply to come to the Academy
from abroad, as the calibre of its training becomes recognised
internationally
