HKADC sets out three-year plan to strengthen Hong Kong’s arts sector

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) has announced its Strategic Development Directives and Action Plan 2026–2028, setting out six priorities for the next three years.

Announced on 23 March 2026, the plan is aligned with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the Hong Kong Government’s Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development. HKADC said the directives will be implemented progressively to support the development of Hong Kong’s arts sector.

The strategy is framed around Hong Kong’s role as an ‘East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange’, with the Council’s wider mission including support for artists and arts groups, greater cultural accessibility, talent development, international exchange and the integration of culture, tourism and creative industries.

The six strategic directives are: promoting the development strategies of the Government’s arts and culture blueprint; strategically supporting promising arts groups and artists; widening community participation; monitoring the arts environment and providing policy recommendations; forging strategic partnerships and consolidating resources; and enhancing HKADC’s corporate governance.

According to the Council’s strategic document, HKADC plans to develop the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX) as a signature flagship event, acting as both a showcasing and trading platform. It also proposes a ‘Mega Events – Community’ linking mechanism, designed to bring major performances and related activities, including international arts masterclasses, into districts across Hong Kong.

International exchange is another major strand of the plan. HKADC said it will support Hong Kong artists to take part in overseas arts festivals and expos, organise ‘Hong Kong Exchange’ initiatives and promote works with Hong Kong characteristics and Chinese cultural heritage to wider international markets. The plan also highlights deeper collaboration within the Greater Bay Area.

Other action points include professional development for arts administrators, support for digital transformation among arts groups, an ARTS‧TECH exhibition and the expansion of cultural tourism through initiatives such as Arts in the City, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

The plan also places emphasis on data and sector intelligence, with HKADC saying it will conduct research and collect data to monitor Hong Kong’s arts and cultural ecosystem and provide policy advice to Government.

HKADC plans to establish strategic partnerships with institutions, seek private donations and corporate sponsorship, and organise networking sessions between the arts sector, private organisations and business communities.

The governance strand includes plans to use technology to improve operational efficiency, review the Council’s governance structure and establish a new internal audit unit to strengthen monitoring and procedural compliance.