Community Engagement at the Core: Rethinking Museums for the Twenty-First Century

13.12.2019, Hotel Stage

In this talk, Kelly McKinley explores the ways in which museums are evolving in order to remain relevant and sustainable community resources in an increasingly divided and technology-driven world

The Music of Cantonese Opera

10.12.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

This talk explores the wide range of musical elements used in Cantonese opera, looking at the different vocal styles used for male and female roles, and the use of percussive instruments and rhythmic melodies to enhance mood and narrative

Global Museums in Shifting Times

07.12.2019, JC Cube Auditorium, Tai Kwun

In this M+ Matters | Keynote, Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate, discusses the significance of these projects and the institution’s overall strategy in the context of a global sociopolitical climate that is shifting more rapidly than ever

Arts and Cultural Management: A Series of Three Talks

29.10.2019 to 26.11.2019, VTC Tower

In this series of three talks, practitioners from a range of local cultural industries share the requirements and unique functions of their areas of expertise, present case studies on successful execution of projects, and explore and compare Hong Kong’s current landscape with the international art scene

Dramaturgy and Beyond

12.10.2019 to 31.10.2019

The second year of our three-year “Dramaturgy and Beyond” programme and explores the role of dramaturgy in curating and festival making through a series of public seminars and professional workshops

Chinese Culture Talk Series IV

28.08.2019 to 30.10.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this series of expert talks, renowned academics and artists including Ou Da-wei, Dr Otto Lee, and Tony Miller introduce some of the ancient arts of Chinese literati and scholar-officials

Cantonese Opera and Modernity

26.10.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Prof Li looks at Cantonese opera in the social context of modern Hong Kong, and examines how elements of Western modern music, literature and film culture have been adapted for use in this traditional performing art form

SHOWTIME! West Kowloon’s Artistic Strategy for Performing Arts

15.10.2019, Jockey Club Innovation Tower, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Alison M Friedman, West Kowloon’s Acting Executive Director and Artistic Director, Performing Arts shares the artistic vision and strategies for our two major performing arts venues – the Xiqu Centre, a contemporary gateway to the ancient art form of Chinese traditional theatre, and Freespace, Hong Kong’s new centre for contemporary performance

What is Stage: Space as Poetry

01.07.2019 to 27.09.2019, The Box & The Room, Freespace

This September, renowned German stage and costume designer Anna Viebrock joins us for a public seminar and five-day artist workshop on how stage design goes beyond space. In preparation for the workshop, Edward Lam introduces Viebrock’s work with a public talk and series of professional screenings exploring the aesthetics of some of her most important opera and stage productions

The Music of Cantonese Opera

24.09.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

This talk explores the wide range of musical elements used in Cantonese opera, looking at the different vocal styles used for male and female roles, and the use of percussive instruments and rhythmic melodies to enhance mood and narrative

The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera

10.09.2019 to 17.09.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In two separate talks, experienced Cantonese opera performers look at how acting, martial arts and dance are combined in Cantonese opera to create patterns of formulaic gesture that contribute to the unfolding of plot and help define character for male and female roles

Seminar: The Innovation and Conservation of Cantonese Opera

07.09.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

The seminar scheduled on 7 September 2019 (Saturday) is cancelled. Programme Enquiries: (852) 2200 0441

Work-in-progress: Every Time You Walk into Our Class

06.08.2019 to 18.08.2019, The Room, Freespace

This August, Edward Lam Dance Theatre presents their first work-in-progress series in which Taiwanese actor Shih Yi-hsiu and a small audience of 60 people interact to shape both content and performance. Blending workshop and presentation, Shih Yi-hsiu revisits the role of teacher, this time with the audience as his students

Cantonese Opera and Kunqu: Major Works

03.08.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Chinese opera scholar Chan Chun-miu uses audio and video demonstrations to illustrate and compare the literary styles of a selection of Kunqu and Cantonese opera works with similar themes

Love or Hate: Dowager Xiao-Zhuang and Dorgon

01.08.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

To accompany GuoGuang Opera Company’s production of Dowager Xiao-Zhuang and Dorgon, lead cast members – Wei Hai-min (Dowager Xiao-Zhuang) and Tang Wen-hwua (Dorgan) – join us for a pre-performance discussion and sharing session about their work and the relationship between their characters

Chinese Culture Talk Series III

26.06.2019 to 31.07.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Throughout history, tea and incense have played an important part in traditional Chinese culture. This series of talks looks at the historic and contemporary cultural uses of incense and tea, and explores their aesthetic and ritual significance

The Heartless Men of Cantonese Opera

25.06.2019 to 23.07.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this series of two talks, theatre practitioner and critic Dr Cheung Ping-kuen examines the psychological and emotional journeys of some of Cantonese opera’s iconic “heartless men”, looking at the motivation behind their behaviour, and exploring the relevance of these characters for modern day audiences

Cantopop and Local Indie Music in the Digital Era

16.07.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Stella Lau, former Programme Director in Performing Arts at HKU SPACE, explores the Hong Kong recording industry, the evolution of Cantopop, the characteristics of mainstream and indie music and the challenges and opportunities that the digital era has opened up for local pop music culture

Kunqu: Portrayals of Human Nature

06.07.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Chinese opera scholar Chan Chun-miu looks at the development of Kunqu productions over time, and explores how stories of life and human nature have become central themes for the genre

Seminar on the Culture of Ritual Opera Performance

23.06.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Through four expert talks, this seminar explores regional and ethnic variations in the genre, style and practice of ritual opera culture in Hong Kong, Guangdong, Chaoshan and Hailufeng

The Face Painting, Costumes and Props of Kunqu

22.06.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

Exploring the makeup and costumes of different role-types and characters, Chinese opera scholar Chan Chun-miu looks at how stage presentation lends richness and meaning to Kunqu performances

The History of Hong Kong Indie Music: 1980s–2010s

18.06.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Stella Lau, former Programme Director in Performing Arts at HKU SPACE, looks at the development of indie music in Hong Kong from the 1980s to the 2010s in relation to social development and post-handover culture in Hong Kong

From a True Story – Christian Rizzo

14.06.2019 to 15.06.2019, The Box, Freespace

Incorporating eight male dancers and two live drummers, French choreographer Christian Rizzo’s acclaimed dance work From a True Story blends folkloric gesture and contemporary movement with repetitive tribal rhythms, creating a work that strikes at the core of human experience. Hong Kong debut

Choreographic Landscapes

07.06.2019 to 12.06.2019, The Room, Freespace

French choreographer Christian Rizzo joins us to lead a five-day professional workshop for dancers and visual artists on choreographic compositions and the relationship between movement, performance and space. The collaboration opens with a public discussion on his work and the importance of emptiness as a space for imagination

The Face Painting and Costumes of Cantonese Opera

04.06.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

This talk looks at the face painting and dressing processes used in contemporary Cantonese opera, and at the ways in which costumes contribute to the portrayal of different characters

ExecLab: Executive Short Courses 2019 – University of the Arts London

31.05.2019 to 02.06.2019, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Presented in collaboration with the University of the Arts London Short Courses, this three-day professional course offers insight into the skills required for managing arts and cultural events and developing sustainable creative business

The Music of Cantonese Opera

01.06.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Professor Yu Siu-wah examines the concepts and characteristics of Cantonese opera music, offers insight into basic structures and arrangements, and discusses some of the transformations that have taken place over the centuries

Ming Furniture

29.05.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this illustrated talk, renowned local Ming furniture expert Dr Yip Shing-yiu offers insight into the artistry, style and development of some of the finest Chinese furniture design

Reading Cantonese Music Notation

28.05.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, members of the arts group The Gong Strikes One demonstrate how to read traditional gongche music sheets and perform live on the zheng (Chinese zither) and dongxiao (bamboo flute)

The Musicality of Kunqu

25.05.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Dr Chan Chun-miu offers audiences insight into the distinctive sounds and melodies of the Kunqu art form, exploring the relationship between the use of dialects and the evolution of the art form, and the way that music and language is used to highlight different roles and characters

Indie Music – An International Perspective

21.05.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Using examples from the US and Britain, Stella Lau, former Programme Director in Performing Arts at HKU SPACE, explores the musical, social and economic relationships that underpin independent music labels, and whether independent artists who become popular in the mainstream can still be labelled “indie”

Dialogue | Cantonese Opera

07.05.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Cantonese opera plays an important role in the lives of people in Hong Kong. This talk explores its transition from the use of Mandarin to the Cantonese vernacular, demonstrating vocal styles and techniques and offering a deeper understanding of the aesthetic features of the art form

Cantonese Opera and Modernity

04.05.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

This talk looks at Cantonese opera in the social context of modern Hong Kong, and examines how elements of western-modern music, literature and film culture have been adapted for use in the traditional performing art form

The Literature in Kunqu

30.04.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Chinese opera scholar Chan Chun-miu looks at some of the literary texts used in Kunqu, and shares insight into Kunqu influence on xiqu songs and performance

Chinese Culture Talk Series II

27.02.2019 to 24.04.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this series of three talks, local experts share their understanding of poetry, calligraphy and the ancient Chinese divination text the I Ching, and explore the relevance of traditional literary arts in a contemporary society

The Stories Behind the Xiqu Centre

09.04.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, West Kowloon’s Executive Director of Performing Arts Louis Yu offers insight into the design and venue positioning of the Xiqu Centre, looking at the venue’s unusual use of space and its relationship with local Cantonese opera communities

The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera

06.04.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio 5, Xiqu Centre

This talk looks at how acting, martial arts and dance are combined in Cantonese opera stage movement to create patterns of formulaic gesture that help define character and contribute to the unfolding of plot

The Music of Cantonese Opera

02.04.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

This talk explores the wide range of musical elements used in Cantonese opera, looking at the different vocal styles used for male and female roles, and the use of percussive instruments and rhythmic melodies to enhance mood and narrative

ExecLab: Executive Short Courses 2019 – RADA Business

15.03.2019 to 17.03.2019, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Working closely with RADA Business, the commercial arm of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), the world-class learning programme builds on dramatic arts, helping people at work to become brilliant communicators

The Application of Nanyin in Cantonese Opera

05.03.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Looking at popular nanyin excerpts, this talk explores the history and evolution of nanyin, a form of Cantonese narrative singing, as one of the delivery styles used in Cantonese opera

Face Painting and Costumes of Cantonese Opera

02.02.2019 to 23.02.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

This talk looks at the face painting and dressing processes used in contemporary Cantonese opera, and at the ways in which costumes contribute to the portrayal of different characters

Contributing to an Open Society through Digitised Museum Collections

15.02.2019, Hotel Stage

In this talk, the speaker discusses efforts to embrace the digital era’s potential to improve access to museum collections for creative reuse and public engagement

Visitors Making Meaning – Constructivist Learning in Museums

31.01.2019, Hotel Stage

In this session, the speaker introduces the idea of constructivist pedagogy and how it can be applied in museums to the creation of all kinds of interpretation materials

The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera

26.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

This talk looks at how acting, martial arts and dance are combined in Cantonese opera stage movement to create patterns of formulaic gesture that help define character and contribute to the unfolding of plot

The “Analects” in Cantonese Opera

24.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Cantonese opera playwright Woo Kwok-yin shares insight into the creative process behind his work The Peregrinations of Confucius, and explores how xiqu as a multidisciplinary art form can breathe new life and relevancy into classic texts

Cantonese Opera and Cinema

06.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Between 1940 and 1970, a large number of stars from the Cantonese opera stage entered the film industry in Hong Kong. This talk looks at the impact of this phenomenon, and the importance of Cantonese opera films as historical records of performances from that era

West Kowloon 101 Foyer Talks

31.12.2018 to 06.01.2019, 2/F Foyer, Xiqu Centre

During the Xiqu Centre Pre-opening Gala, experienced professional performers share their experience and insight on various aspects of Cantonese opera in free and informal lunchtime and evening talks

Creation for Freespace: Dramaturgy and Beyond

Through a range of public round-table discussions, small group practicum sessions and workshops, “Dramaturgy and Beyond” will delve into the discourse in and around the practice of dramaturgy and the tools that are useful to the creation of dance and theatre within the contemporary context

Cantonese Opera in the Hong Kong Religious Context

05.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Professor Chan Sau-yan, expert on the musical structure, performance practice, ethnographic and historical aspects of Cantonese opera, looks at the tradition of religious operas in Hong Kong, and the challenges of preserving an ancient art form in a market-oriented economy

Perfect Wives in Cantonese Operas

04.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Cantonese operas are often based on stories of love and married life. The wives in these tales may be meek and loving or powerful and cunning. This talk looks at some of the Xiqu Centre opening performances to explore what makes a “perfect wife” on the Cantonese opera stage

The Functions and Practice of Xiaoqu (short tunes) in Cantonese Opera

03.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Melodic and song-like, xiaoqu can incorporate traditional instrumental melodies, folk songs, contemporary pop songs and even theme tunes from films and TV shows. This talk explores the origins and development of xiaoqu and its unique function in Cantonese opera

Chinese Culture – A series of four talks

21.10.2018 to 18.12.2018

What is the relationship between modern society and these time-honoured art forms? In this series of talks, speakers from specialist fields will take you on a journey of discovery that reveals the beauty and history behind specific arts for your appreciation

Arts and Cultural Management – A series of five talks

09.10.2018 to 11.12.2018

In this series of talks, local practitioners offer insight into the different areas of work involved in running cultural organisations and explore the qualifications and passion required for a career in the arts and culture field

Building Louvre Abu Dhabi

07.12.2018, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

In this M+ Matters | Keynote talk, Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi and a key figure in the development of the project, discusses this twenty-first-century encyclopedic museum as ‘a museum of experimentation, and a museum of meeting points’

Negotiating Access and Preservation in the Contemporary Museum

06.12.2018, Hotel Stage

In this talk, the speaker examines the relationship between the notions of access and preservation in museums

The Stories Behind the Xiqu Centre

24.11.2018, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

In this talk, West Kowloon’s Executive Director of Performing Arts Louis Yu offers insight into the design and venue positioning of the Xiqu Centre, looking at the venue’s unusual use of space and its relationship with local Cantonese opera communities

The Music of Cantonese Opera

20.11.2018, H6 CONET

This talk explores the wide range of musical elements used in Cantonese opera, looking at the different vocal styles used for male and female roles, and the use of percussive instruments and rhythmic melodies to enhance mood and narrative

Face Painting and Costumes of Cantonese Opera

13.11.2018, D2 Place ONE

This talk looks at the face painting and dressing processes used in contemporary Cantonese opera, and at the ways in which costumes contribute to the portrayal of different characters

The Design of the Tea House Theatre

08.11.2018, CityU SCOPE Admiralty Learning Centre

In this talk, West Kowloon’s Head of Xiqu, Naomi Chung, offers insight into the positioning and operation of the Tea House Theatre, looking at how the venue offers visitors an intimate experience with the productions and how programmes are curated with first-time audiences in mind

SHOWTIME! Launching West Kowloon’s Artistic Strategy for Performing Arts

27.10.2018, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

In this free talk, Alison M Friedman, West Kowloon’s Artistic Director, Performing Arts shares the vision and plans for the district’s upcoming performing arts venues, the Xiqu Centre, Freespace and the Art Park, and looks at some of the projects lined up for the future

The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera

23.10.2018, CityU SCOPE Admiralty Learning Centre

This talk looks at how acting, martial arts and dance are combined in Cantonese opera stage movement to create patterns of formulaic gesture that help define character and contribute to the unfolding of plot

Behind the Design of the Xiqu Centre

18.10.2018, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

In this talk, West Kowloon’s Executive Director of Performing Arts Louis Yu offers insight into the design and venue positioning of the Xiqu Centre, looking at the venue’s unusual use of space and its relationship with local Cantonese opera communities

Dialogue | Cantonese Opera

18.09.2018, Campfire – Wong Chuk Hang

Cantonese opera plays an important role in the lives of people in Hong Kong. This talk explores its transition from the use of Mandarin to the Cantonese vernacular, demonstrating vocal styles and techniques and offering a deeper understanding of the aesthetic features of the art form

Dialogue | Gender Fluidity in Traditional Indonesian Dance

06.09.2018, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Looking at gender fluidity in traditional Indonesian dance forms and the recognition of multiple genders in Indonesian cultural practices, dance artist Rianto, shares how his training and cultural background have helped him develop a unique dance vocabulary that embodies gender fluidity

“What Is Stage” Public Seminar Two: Jan Pappelbaum’s Aesthetics of Scenography

10.08.2018, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre

To wrap up this year’s “What Is Stage: From Text To Space” series on the work of Jan Pappelbaum, Head of Stage Design at the Schaubühne Berlin, we are delighted to welcome Pappelbaum to join us in Hong Kong to share his experience in an in-depth public seminar

What Is Stage: From Text to Space

10.06.2018 to 10.08.2018

Taking the theme “From Text to Space”, this year’s programme looks at the scenographic aesthetics of Jan Pappelbaum, head of Stage Design of Schaubühne Berlin. Register now

Envisioning the Museum in the Age of Participation

03.08.2018, Hotel Stage

The talk invites the audience to consider the roles a museum plays in society, as well as the forms of participation that can both emerge from and shape a contemporary museum of visual culture

Cantonese Opera 101 - Music

17.07.2018, H6 CONET

This talk explores the musical elements of Cantonese opera, including vocal styles used by actors playing male and female roles, “melo-rhythmic” vocal forms and programmatic tunes, and more

Post-1949 Visual and Material Culture in China

05.07.2018, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

The talk considers critical issues in the first decades of the socialist state in China through a multidisciplinary lens, examining design and visual art

101 Dialogue on Cantonese Opera

24.06.2018, Campfire – Wong Chuk Hang

In this talk, Pui Yan will share anecdotes and challenges in her career. In addition, she will introduce the costumes and make-up styles of sheng (male role) and dan, as well as singing styles and performing techniques used in Cantonese Opera. Participants may have the invaluable opportunities of trying on costumes

Arts and Cultural Management 101 - Managing Customers in Cultural Venues

13.06.2018, Campfire – Wong Chuk Hang

This talk invites practitioners to share their experience and to explore the qualities, passions and the skillsets required for a career in the arts and culture field

Kunqu 201

12.06.2018, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College

This talk introduces the historical development of kunqu through music, videos, images and historical documents, exploring the literature, music and performing methods of the art form and offering a contemporary picture of its development

101 Dialogue on Nanyin

09.06.2018, Campfire - Kennedy Town

In this talk, local musical group The Gong Strikes One guides audiences in appreciating the Nanyin recordings of Dou Wun and contemporary artistes, gives demonstrations of the art form and introduces some key musical terms to the participants. We hope that the participants gain holistic understanding of Nanyin, its lyrics and music

Public Lecture on the Palace Museum in the Global Cultural Context

27.05.2018, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

With the theme “The Palace Museum in the Global Cultural Context”, Dr Shan Jixiang, Director of the Palace Museum, will share his insight of promoting and developing traditional Chinese culture alongside the global outlook

Producers’ Network Meeting & Forum 2018

18.05.2018 to 21.05.2018

PNMF brings together performing arts producers for four days of Closed-door Meeting and a public forum on promoting innovation in programme planning, venue operation, audience development and cross-disciplinary collaboration

Samson Young: Songs for Disaster Relief World Tour

09.02.2018 to 06.05.2018, M+ Pavilion, West Kowloon

Conceived originally for the 57th Venice Biennale, the Hong Kong edition of the Songs for Disaster Relief exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Samson Young re-examines the concept of charity singles and offers a unique audiovisual experience through a series of sculptures, objects, videos, sound installations and site-specific pieces

Interpretation – Between Audiences and Meaning

28.04.2018, Hotel Stage

In this session, the speaker will start with the definition of interpretation, followed by an introduction to recent research and case studies demonstrating the importance of interpretation in creating an engaging and creative learning experience, underpinned by relevance, connection and communication

Theatre 101: Applied Theatre – Connecting the Arts to Life and Society

28.04.2018, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College

This talk introduces a range of applied theatre projects from Hong Kong and overseas, exploring the nature and purpose of applied theatre, the ways in which practitioners adopt contemporary aesthetic concepts, and how the relationship between performers and audience changes across practices

Cantonese Opera 101

17.04.2018, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College

This talk explores how Cantonese opera has transitioned from the use of Mandarin and traditional vocal techniques to the use of the Cantonese vernacular. Demonstrating vocal styles and techniques, the speaker offers a deeper understanding of the aesthetic features of Cantonese opera

Visual Thinking Strategies: From Sharing Information to Sharing Ways of Thinking

13.04.2018 to 14.04.2018, Hotel Stage

In this session, the speaker will draw on the concepts and methodologies of VTS and look at how the approach has been used with primary and secondary school students and adults across various disciplines, stressing on the importance of thinking, listening, observing and communicating when interpreting exhibits

Arts and Cultural Management 201 – Performing Arts at West Kowloon: Towards a Model of Learning and Audience Building

20.03.2018, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

This talk introduces the new venues of West Kowloon Cultural District, explores questions related audience building, and looks at the goals of the West Kowloon Learning and Participation team and the core public programmes being devised for the opening of these venues

Cantonese Opera and Hong Kong Culture 101

03.03.2018, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College

This talk takes an in-depth look at the ways in which Cantonese opera and Cantonese operatic song have shaped Hong Kong culture, exploring their influence on the local vernacular, education and performing arts

Arts and Cultural Management 101

27.01.2018 to 27.02.2018

The talks invite local practitioners to share their experience and explore the qualities required for a career in the arts and culture field

Opening up the Museum to All – On Accessibility Awareness

24.02.2018, Hotel Stage

By introducing concepts and ideas about equality for people with different abilities, the speaker will illustrate MoMA’s approach to accessibility and also discuss the development and outcomes of their Access Programs in order to demonstrate how such initiatives benefit both the museum and its audience

Creation for Freespace: Dance in Alternative Space

22.01.2018 to 03.02.2018

Independent artist Xavier Le Roy from France and Hong Kong dance artist Scarlet Yu lead two professional workshops and a public talk exploring different aspects of dance work, contemporary performance and live action in public spaces

The Foundations of Performance

16.01.2018 to 03.02.2018, Ko Shan Theatre/BRICK LANE

Through a series of workshops and conversations, the Foundations of Performance designed to bring together artists from different fields to exchange experience and inspiration

Cantonese Opera Face Painting and Costumes 101

16.01.2018, HKU SPACE - Admiralty Learning Centre

This talk looks at the face painting and dressing processes used in contemporary Cantonese opera, and at the ways in which costumes contribute to the portrayal of different characters

The Weight of Lightness: Ink Art at M+

13.10.2017 to 14.01.2018, M+ Pavilion, West Kowloon

Featuring work by more than forty artists from across Asia and beyond, The Weight of Lightness: Ink Art looks at the diverse explorations that have taken place over the past sixty years

Rethinking Pei: A Centenary Symposium

14.12.2017 to 15.12.2017, The University of Hong Kong

This symposium seeks to reexamine Pei in the context of the architect’s 100th birthday year. The event aims to resituate the architect from the intersecting vantage points of the two regional poles with which he’s most closely linked—Hong Kong/China and Boston/the United States

Studying the Experience of Museum Visitors in Hong Kong

13.12.2017, Hotel Stage

In this session, we examine concepts by scholars in the field of museum visitor studies, and introduce different types of museum visitors in Hong Kong, as summarised in the speaker’s field research

Miracle of The Benesse Art Site Naoshima

08.12.2017, The University of Hong Kong

Soichiro Fukutake and Akiko Miki of the Benesse Art Site Naoshima and celebrated architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA discuss the transformative effect of a project combining contemporary art, architecture and landscape

REORIENT: Conversations on South and Southeast Asia

30.11.2017 to 02.12.2017, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

REORIENT is a three-day event designed as a platform to explore views across geographies (from Bangalore to Bangladesh, Yogyakarta to Ho Chi Minh City), disciplines (from visual art, design and architecture, and moving image) and initiatives (from bottom-up to institutionally-driven practices)

Experiments in Museum Learning

29.11.2017, Hotel Stage

Riding on M+’s core beliefs about learning, this session introduces a variety of experimental art projects and exhibitions that focus on educational models and pedagogical practices, thereby exploring how curating and creative approaches can bring forth new ideas and possibilities to a museum’s learning programme

Freespace Tech Lab 2017

12.11.2017 to 26.11.2017, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

“Freespace Tech Lab”, a newly launched 3-year collaboration project between Zuni Icosahedron and West Kowloon, explores state-of-the-art stage technologies and looks at some of the many possibilities of black box theatre through showcases, exchange and training

Roles of a Museum in the 21st Century

16.11.2017, Hotel Stage

This session looks at how the role of museums has evolved from their conventional counterparts, and how they in turn reflect and inform various aspects of contemporary society

‘We Are One?’ Screenings & Conversations

16.10.2017 to 23.10.2017, Hong Kong Arts Centre Cinema

To accompany Hong Kong’s collateral event at the Venice Biennale 2017, Samson Young: Songs for Disaster Relief, M+ and the Hong Kong Arts Centre are co-presenting a programme of film screenings and conversations on the theme of charity efforts

Arts and Cultural Management 101 (September to October 2017)

26.09.2017 to 21.10.2017

With the development of arts and culture in Hong Kong there is an increased need for talent in the areas of cultural management and art administration. Arts and Cultural Management 101 invites local practitioners to share their experience and explore the qualities required for a career in the arts and culture field

2017 Cultural Leadership Summit: Building Our Future Audience

26.09.2017 to 27.09.2017, The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts

Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association’s 2017 Cultural Leadership Summit, an important annual cultural event, which is into its 8th edition this year with the theme of “Building Our Future Audience”, will be held at Amphitheatre of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts from 26th to 27th September of 2017

Canton Express

23.06.2017 to 10.09.2017, M+ Pavilion, West Kowloon

Canton Express is the new iteration of the Canton Express project that was part of the exhibition Zone of Urgency curated by Hou Hanru for the 2003 Venice Biennale

What Is Stage: Dynamics of Seeing

The language of the stage is more than just the script and plot. The structure of a theatrical space, the props and set design, the costumes and lighting, all add to the theatrical imagery, transcending the text and creating a rich aesthetic experience for the audience

Between Past and Future: Art of the Pearl River Delta

07.09.2017, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

This edition of M+ Matters will survey the circumstances and evolution of curatorial strategies and art research in the region from the late 1990s to the present

Cantonese Opera 101 – Xiaoqu (folk music)

26.07.2017, HKU SPACE International College - United Learning Centre

In this talk, the speaker Paris Wong looks at different types of xiaoqu to show the flexibility of Cantonese opera and how the art form incorporates elements of pop songs from different eras and theme songs from Hong Kong movies

Seminar on Theatertreffen 2017

21.07.2017 to 22.07.2017, Hong Kong Arts Centre

The seminar is a presentation of the productions chosen for the Theatertreffen based on film clips. In July, West Kowloon collaborates with Goethe-Institut Hong Kong to host Seminar on Theatertreffen 2017

Public Forum: Sensory Art

05.07.2017, Spring Workshop

Award-winning experimental sound designer and composer Darrin Verhagen shares his understanding of how sound interacts with other senses, and how composers and sound designers play a manipulative role in shaping perceptual and emotional responses to multisensory artworks

Hong Kong Production Ecology: “Simon Says” – A Case Study

03.06.2017, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

In this talk, Louis Yu and Anna CY Chan (Performing Arts, West Kowloon), Ong Yong Lock (Unlock Dancing Plaza), Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh (Le Phare, National Choreographic Center of Le Havre Normandy), editor and critic Daisy Chu, and professionals from the local performing arts scene share their thoughts on producing high quality new dance work

Ambiguously Yours: Gender in Hong Kong Popular Culture

17.03.2017 to 21.05.2017, M+ Pavilion, West Kowloon

Ambiguously Yours: Gender in Hong Kong Popular Culture offers new insights into Hong Kong popular culture through representations of androgyny and gender fluidity in Cantopop, fashion, film, photography, and graphic design

Producers’ Network Meeting & Forum 2017

12.05.2017 to 15.05.2017

The Producers’ Network Meeting and Forum brings together producers, mainly from the Chinese speaking region, to explore the effects on the arts ecosystem, the change and development in the role of producers, and the continued development of artistic content and audiences

Special Lectures: The Making of Millennium Park

02.12.2016, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Join us on 2 December as West Kowloon and the Hong Kong Design Centre co-present Special Lectures: The Making of Millennium Park at this year’s Business of Design Week (BODW)

Copies without Borders: Imitation as Innovation

14.04.2016, Atelier Clerici, Milan, Italy

As part of the programme at Atelier Clerici, the leading hub of critical thinking during the annual Salone del Mobile in Milan, Copies without Borders: Imitation as Innovation brings M+ and its M+ Matters format to an international stage, enriching the global discourse about copying as a methodology in contemporary design practice

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Autoteatro

14.11.2015, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Join Ant for a public lecture on ‘autotheatre workshop’, where he will share how his works embrace and incorporate an untrained public, and his experience of presenting works in cities around the world

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshopping Automatic Workshop

09.11.2015 to 13.11.2015, Plato

In this workshop, Hampton and Meierhans will collaborate with young theatre makers on the development of an 'Automatic Workshop' – one led entirely by automatic text, recorded audio and visual media

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Real Time Performance

07.11.2015, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Jan Fabre is well known internationally as one of the most innovative and versatile artists of the day. Over the past 30 years, he has produced works as a theatre maker, author and visual artist

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Real Time Performance

02.11.2015 to 06.11.2015, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing

In the workshop led by Ivana Jozic and Kasper Vandenberghe, two experienced performers of his teaching group, participants' body becomes an instrument that examines the transition from act to acting

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Theatre of the Senses

31.10.2015, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hear from Enrique Vargas, a Colombian dramaturgist and anthropologist and Artistic director of Teatro de los Sentidos as he shares his knowledge on the research and creation of sensorial theatre

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Writing Movement, Text & Dance

31.10.2015, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

International touring company Winter Guests are renowned for telling contemporary stories with words, video, music and movement. Their works are often based on real life experiences and use original text, transcribed recordings and improvisations

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Theatre of the Senses

26.10.2015 to 31.10.2015, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing

For the past 20 years, Barcelona based theatre ensemble, Teatro de los Sentidos (“Theatre of Senses”), have been creating innovative works that open the boundaries between theatre and audience using experimental methods of corporeal and sensorial communication

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Writing Movement, Text & Dance

26.10.2015 to 30.10.2015, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing

Join Alan Lucien Øyen, writer, choreographer, director and founder of Winter Guests from Norway, for a 5-day workshop that explores different ways of working with stories that both originate from the real world, as well as creating fictional stories in direct dialogue with surrounding realities.

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Dramaturgy — Masterclass on Contemporary Theatre

25.10.2015, Videotage

In this four-hour intensive workshop, participants will engage in discussion and exercises in relation to a theme suggested by dramaturg Professor Christoph Lepschy, and bring along one idea and related materials to work on a proposal within the Hong Kong context

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Creating a Critical Dialogue with Society

24.10.2015, California Tower

How does theatre work reads and unveils social reality? Hear from Indonesian director Yudi Ahmad Tajudin the latest trends in the Indonesian theatre scene and his approach of dealing with social reality in theatre

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Creating a Critical Dialogue with Society

19.10.2015 to 23.10.2015, Alice Theatre Laboratory

Known for their adventurous spirit and groundbreaking works in stimulating performing arts in South East Asia, Indonesian performance collective Teater Garasi and Garasi Performance Institute have been working for more than a decade with a belief in performing arts as a way to process and produce knowledge and to dialectically involve with the social political environment

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Dramaturgy — Masterclass on Contemporary Theatre

22.10.2015, On & On Cattle Depot Theatre

With examples from contemporary European theatres and theatrical forms familiar to the Hong Kong audience, Professor Christoph Lepschy will share his experience on dramaturgical practices

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Playwright - Jon Fosse

10.10.2015, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building

Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse is one of the most important contemporary playwrights of our times. Considered as a universe unto himself that stretches from his home, the Norwegian Vestlandet to embrace Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and other corners of the world

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Playwright - Jon Fosse

05.10.2015 to 10.10.2015, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building

In this 6-day workshop led by Norwegian dramaturg Hege Randi Torrensen, participants will embark on a journey to the Fosse's world, read behind the text and explore the relationship between reality and illusion

Dance Video Lab - Short Film Selections from ‘New Work Forum: Screendance’ and ‘Experimental Film Virginia’

13.08.2015, Hong Kong Film Archive

In order to explore how dance and body movements are transformed from the scene to the screen, City Contemporary Dance Company and West Kowloon Cultural District Authority co-present the ‘New Works Forum: Screendance’ Workshop in July 2015, inviting artists from the Mainland, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong and Singapore to join the two-week Workshop for shooting dance video clips

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Documentary Theatre

07.08.2015 to 08.08.2015, Videotage

Join Stefan Kaegi, director of Rimini Protokoll for a workshop that explores theatre projects with non-professional actors in the real world. Using research, public auditions and conceptual processes, leading European avant-garde theatre collective Rimini Protokoll has brought its ‘theatre of expert’ to the stage, giving voice to ‘experts’ who are not trained actors but have something to tell

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Documentary Theatre

06.08.2015, Hong Kong Arts Centre

As part of the International Workshop Festival of Theatre, West Kowloon is teaming with leading performing arts groups from Hong Kong and overseas to deliver a series of lectures for the public to learn about contemporary performances and their creative process

Building M+: The Museum and Architecture Collection

10.01.2014 to 09.02.2014, ArtisTree

The first M+ architecture exhibition showcasing the future M+ building winning design & the museum's growing architecture collection

Building M+ Talk: Collecting Architecture: Process, Challenges and Effects

25.01.2014, ArtisTree

Inviting architects, and specialists from research institutions and universities, this talk and panel discussion aims to look at the challenges and implications of building an architecture collection

Building M+ Talk: Jacques Herzog, Herzog & de Meuron, M+ Building Architect

09.01.2014, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building

Jacques Herzog talks about Herzog & de Meuron’s practice, approach and winning proposal for M+

"By ALL Means: The Sign Must Go On" Workshop

15.11.2013, WKCDA Office

Co-presented by WKCDA & HKAAA, Mr. Kevin Dyels will conduct an accessibility workshop for administrators & venue operators who are interested in theatrical production and venue operation serving individuals with hearing impairment.

2013 Cultural Leadership Summit

27.05.2013 to 29.05.2013, Multiple Venues

Co-presented by WKCDA and HKAAA, the Summit invites international, regional & local cultural leaders to come together & examine how the concept of entrepreneurship can be applied in successful organisations.

Capacity Building for Inclusive Arts Programmes

26.03.2013 to 28.03.2013, WKCDA Office

A talk and workshop co-presented by WKCDA , British Council and HKAAA, Ms Jo Verrent shares her experience in capacity building for inclusive arts programmes

2012 Cultural Leadership Summit

30.05.2012 to 01.06.2012, Multiple Venues

Co-presented by WKCDA and HKAAA, the 2012 Cultural Leadership Summit focuses on various aspects to successful creative organisations.