Networking Through Community Engagement Project

A case study: smARTS Journey

Anna CY Chan

Head of Performing Arts Education Centre, HKAPAVice President (East Asia) World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific

Performing Arts Education Centre (PAE Centre)

• Funded by the Hong Kong Government and established by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) in 2007.

• An initiative of HKAPA in responding to the current development relating to education, arts and culture.

• The PAE Centre has a three-pronged approach: community engagement, arts education curriculum development and professional development.

Community Engagement Strategy

• The PAE Centre makes available the resources, expertise and experiences of HKAPA to the community by strategically devise and systematically coordinate different educational outreach projects.

• HKAPA sees the benefit of engaging actively in outreach activities as an effective networking strategy.

Connect to the Community

• HKAPA aims to develop local and international networks and to raise public awareness of performing arts as a profession, in refuting the belief that arts education is not valued in our society and arts learning are mainly a pastime. It will also ensure policy-makers and law-makers are well informed about the current issues, priorities and problems facing HKAPA so that their decisions concerning art and cultural development will take into account.

Connect with sponsors and other arts organizations

• By connecting with private and commercial sector, sponsors and other arts organizations, it will position HKAPA as a leading voice on arts and cultural developments of Hong Kong. It will also promote effective communications with the community through careful public relations and marketing strategies so as to secure public understanding and support of HKAPA’s mission and vision and critical developments in terms of community activities and social inclusion.

Connect with schools

• HKAPA will encourage more Hong Kong people, in particular the younger generation, to appreciate and participate in the arts and to enrich their lives with a greater emphasis on culture. The participation of young people in arts activities can motivate families to participate in cultural and arts activities. HKAPA will also proactively engage in policy discussions and implementations on Hong Kong education, especially when concerning arts education and related curriculum changes.

Connect with HKAPA staffs and students

• By devising and coordinating more activities programmes throughout HKAPA and beyond its walls, HKAPA also encourages and facilitates the participation of staffs and students in the cultural life of the community. It is also an opportunity for the students of the HKAPA to be given practical, solid foundation in performing arts education.

Connect with Alumni

• By engaging alumni in the outreach programmes, HKAPA strengthens and sustains alumni links so that graduates become HKAPA’s foremost advocates amongst community and profession alike

A case study

smARTS Journey• New initiative in 2008. • Responded to the current change in Hong Kong

education system and the concerns of in-sufficient future audience to appreciate the arts and cultural activities in the future West Kowloon Cultural District venues

• The project worked closely with HKAPA five schools, departments, teaching faculties and students in devising a series of interactive and dynamic activities.

smARTS Journey

• The project received financial support from a local sponsor.

• The project stressed and aimed to develop students’ creativity, aesthetic sensitivity, arts appraising ability, communication skill, critical thinking skill, collaboration skill as well as cultivates students’ life-long interest in the arts.

smARTS Journey• The pilot year comprised a series of 23 interactiv

e performing arts programmes including demonstrations, workshops, performances and school touring over a period of 7 months across Chinese traditional theatre, dance, drama, music, theatre and entertainment arts, and film and TV media arts.

• Attracted over 4,000 students from 140 schools. • Engaged over 700 HKAPA faculties and

students and 40 alumni.

smARTS Journey

• From the surveys over 90% of the participants reckoned the programme aroused their interest in performing arts and enhanced their ability to appreciate performing arts;

• 89% of the participants reflected their creativity has been stimulated by joining the activities.

Comments by the teachers

• “I always look for some programmes like smARTS Journey for my students as the project provides a good introduction that we could follow and develop at our school.”

• “I found my students participated seriously and were highly involved. I trust they have gained more than I expected.”

Comments by the students

• “It is something new to me and is very entertaining!”

• “I love the interactive activities and practicing opportunities the event offers.”

• “It is great fun, I enjoy every part of the workshop, I wish there will be more similar activities in the future.”

• “Eye-opening” / “Stimulating” / “Impressive” / “Inspiring” / “Fruitful” / “Magical”…

Future action

Upon the completion of the pilot year, the smARTS Journey project has received three consecutive years sponsorship from the same donors for 2009/10 to 2011/2012.

Video clip of smARTS Journey