Jockey Club supports “Creative Tomorrow”, the first-ever arts tech festival at the West Kowloon Cultural District

11/08/2022 21:00

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the exclusive sponsor of “Creative Tomorrow”, the first­-ever arts tech festival at the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD). From July 2022 to March 2023, it will showcase spectacular live performances and online programmes, covering xiqu, music, theatre, dance and experimental installations, which combine art and technology. This festival is one of many initiatives supported by the Club’s approved donation of HK$630 million to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.

The opening ceremony for “Creative Tomorrow” was held tonight (11 August) at the Xiqu Centre. The Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community, Dr Gabriel Leung, joined the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR, Joe Wong, Chairman of Performing Arts Committee of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA), Winnie Tam, Chairman of the Xiqu Centre Advisory Panel, Dr Frankie Yeung, Chief Executive Officer of WKCDA, Betty Fung, Artistic Curator and Co-director of the Tea House Theatre’s Magic Tea House, Dr Law Ka-ying, Executive Director, Performing Arts of WKCDA, Paul Tam and Co-director of the Tea House Theatre’s Magic Tea House, Naomi Chung in officiating at the ceremony and enjoyed the opening programme premier of Magic Tea House.

The Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community, Dr Gabriel Leung, said the Club was delighted to support “Creative Tomorrow”, further contributing to Hong Kong’s arts and cultural development as well as its creative industries. “The possibilities of technology today are immense. Digital and AI technologies can open up new and thought-provoking perspectives for audiences, providing new ways to enjoy and appreciate the performing arts,” he said.

“Creative Tomorrow” is the first large-scale arts tech festival in the District and a significant part of this year's WKCD performing arts season, with innovative works from Hong Kong and the region. Highlights include the Magic Tea House, at the Tea House Theatre in August, featuring Hong Kong’s first-ever Cantonese opera with robotics and AI. A humanoid robot, emulating the facial expressions, voice and body language of renowned Cantonese opera star Dr Law Ka-ying is part of the main cast.

Other highlights include Phygital D, a dance programme combining physical and digital elements, at Freespace in September, and the fourth Freespace Jazz Fest at the end of October. The finale event will be a series of innovative and eye-catching outdoor installations created by local and international artists. Among them is Swiss artist Dan Acher's Borealis, featuring a captivating installation for audiences to experience the wonder of the Northern Lights.

The Club is a strong supporter of arts, culture and technology, including the recently opened The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series of exhibitions, “Science in Art” and “The Big Eight – Dinosaur Revelation”.

Over the past 25 years, the Club has progressed with the community. As a world-leader in the sport of horse racing and one of the ten largest charitable donors in the world, the Club has been able to increase its contributions to the community via its integrated business model. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is resolute in pursuing its purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of our society. Then, now, always, we are together with Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2020/21, the Club returned a total of HK$29.4 billion to the community. This included HK$24.9 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$4.5 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world’s top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.