The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA or the Authority) today unveiled the full list of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to be signed with over 20 leading arts and cultural institutions across the globe. These MOUs will be signed during the Hong Kong International Cultural Summit 2024 (HKICS or the Summit) hosted by the WKCDA, which will take place from 24 to 26 March 2024 in the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD or the District).

The MOU signatories represent the world’s top museums, conservation and art research institutes, art centres, film archives, theatres and theatre associations from 11 countries, including France, Japan, Korea, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States, as well as cities in Mainland China such as Shanghai, Chongqing and Shijiazhuang. The MOUs cover diverse areas of cooperation spanning co-production and touring of exhibitions, collection sharing, partnerships on conservation, digitalisation and scientific research; as well as educational and exchange programmes for art administrators and artists across Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), M+ and the Performing Arts Division of WKCDA.

Henry Tang Ying-yen, Chairman of the Board of WKCDA, said, “The signing of MOUs with world-renowned arts and cultural institutions during the Summit marks another important milestone for WKCD as it embarks on a global journey of dynamic new partnerships and development opportunities. We anticipate that the collaborations will take global arts and cultural discourse to the next level, sparking a new era of creativity and cultural connectivity for Hong Kong and reinforcing the Authority’s vision of strengthening Hong Kong’s strategic role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”

Global arts and cultural institutions signing MOUs with WKCDA

Institutions signing MOUs with HKPM

• Shanghai Museum, China

• Guimet-National Museum of Asian Arts, France

• National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon, France

• Tokyo National Museum, Japan

• Museo Nacional Del Prado, Spain

• Qatar Museums, Qatar (on behalf of the Museum of Islamic Art)

• Victoria and Albert Museum, United Kingdom

Institutions signing MOUs with M+

Museums

• Centre Pompidou, France

• Musée national Picasso-Paris, France

• The National Art Center, Tokyo, Japan

• Leeum Museum of Art, Samsung Foundation of Culture, Korea

• Qatar Museums, Qatar

• Sharjah Art Foundation, United Arab Emirates

• Tate, United Kingdom

Conservation institute

• Getty Conservation Institute, United States

Film archives

• Asian Film Archive, Singapore

• Film Archive (Public Organisation), Thailand

Institutions signing MOUs with Performing Arts Division of WKCDA

• China Theatre Association, China

• Chongqing Chuanju Theatre, China

• Shijiazhuang Arts Research Bureau, China

• The Shanghai Center of Chinese Operas, China

“Connecting Culture, Bridging Times”

The Summit is a highlight event of "Art March 2024” launched by the HKSAR Government and the largest international cultural conference ever staged in Hong Kong, bringing together more than 1,000 global arts and cultural visionaries for three days of insightful dialogue. Preceded by the MOU Signing Ceremony and a Welcome Dinner on Sunday, 24 March 2024 , the Summit will feature an opening cum plenary session at the Xiqu Centre on Monday, 25 March morning, followed by four themed panels to be held at M+ and HKPM on Monday, 25 March afternoon and Tuesday, 26 March morning, respectively.

Over 20 eminent speakers from 12 countries and regions, including the heads of some of the world’s most important cultural districts and most esteemed international arts and cultural institutions, will address the Summit and exchange views on topical issues related to the future development of cultural districts and museums. The delegates include leaders from the world’s top museums, conservation and art research institutes and performing arts organisations, as well as from the academic, commercial and film sectors and government. Live streaming will be arranged to enable more local and global participants to participate in the Summit online. For details, please refer to the Summit’s website: www.culturalsummit2024.hk.

Sunday, 24 March 2024 (HKPM)
MOU Signing Ceremony
Welcome Dinner (by invitation)

Monday, 25 March 2024 Morning Session (Xiqu Centre)
Opening
Plenary Session: Cultural Districts’ Contributions to Social and Economic Transformation of Cities

Monday, 25 March 2024 Afternoon Session (M+)
Panel Discussion (I): Promise of Digital

Panel Discussion (II): Decentring Digital

Monday, 25 March 2024 Evening (M+)
The Party at M+

Tuesday, 26 March 2024 Morning Session (HKPM)
Panel Discussion (III): Rethinking Museum Interpretation in a Global Context

Panel Discussion (IV): New Ways of Collaborating and Sharing in the Post-Pandemic Era: International Perspectives

Insights from speakers and moderators on the Summit:

“The Palace Museum has taken on the important mission of responsibly inheriting, protecting and promoting the distinguished traditions of Chinese culture. In this rapidly changing world, it is necessary for cultural institutions to embrace a global vision and be dynamic. I look forward to engaging in discussions with experts in the field, further enhancing interactions and collaborations between the East and the West, and promoting mutual understanding and respect among civilisations.”             
──Dr Wang Xudong
Director, Palace Museum, China

“Through the lens of the London 2012 Olympics legacy, the development of V&A East and the emergence of East Bank, I'll be highlighting the decisive impact of cultural districts on urban transformation and underscoring their pivotal role in driving social and economic opportunity. I look forward to an exciting discussion on the critical contribution of cultural districts to the vibrant and resilient evolution of cities, both in Hong Kong and globally.”
──Tim Reeve
Chair of East Bank Board, Deputy Director
and Chief Operating Officer of Victoria and Albert Museum, London, United Kingdom

“The vision of HKICS aligns perfectly with Qatar Museums and the Museum of Islamic Art’s commitment to harnessing the transformative power of the arts to inspire and educate. In my conversations with cultural leaders from around the world, I have found that we have at least one widely shared ambition: to connect audiences to one another through culture. I look forward to continuing these conversations at HKICS.”
──Shaika Al-Nassr
Director, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

“The $1.7b Melbourne Arts Precinct (MAP) transformation will not only deliver a reimagined Arts Centre Melbourne and the stunning new Fox NGV Contemporary gallery - it will amplify the offerings across the Precinct bringing a more vibrant city life, thriving creative industries and boost our already impressive cultural tourism credentials and building sustainability for our businesses. I am greatly looking forward to hearing and learning from my peers at HKICS and to be inspired by the West Kowloon Cultural District."
──Katrina Sedgwick
Director and CEO, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, Australia

“Hong Kong as a vibrant city is different from Naoshima in many ways, but similarly, Hong Kong is surrounded by the sea and has become a fertile ground for the development of new cultural and artistic districts that generate new energy. I hope by sharing our story of ‘local revitalisation through the symbiosis of art, architecture, nature and community’ in Naoshima, we can reaffirm the potential and importance of art and culture in local development from a variety of perspectives.”
──Akiko Miki
International Artistic Director, Benesse Art Site Naoshima, Japan

“I am thrilled to participate in the HKICS 2024, where we will delve into the global impact of emerging technologies on arts and culture. Our panel offers an opportunity to explore how technological advancements, from AI and NFTs to digital public art and multi-sensory exhibitions, are reshaping the practices of museums and art institutions. As an AI artist, I am eager to discuss the transformative possibilities these technologies present for new forms of artmaking and storytelling, and the ways in which they can help us create more inclusive experiences.”
──Refik Anadol
Media Artist and Director, Refik Anadol Studio, United States/Turkey

“As rapid advancements in technology generate both profound possibilities and complex questions for the cultural sector, 'Connecting Cultures, Bridging Times' offers a welcome opportunity for meaningful international exchange on the evolving landscape in which we are all operating in. I am delighted that this summit provides an opportunity for Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to strengthen its relationships across the Pacific Rim, and to contribute to an important conversation focused on the future of culture.”
──Dr Thomas P. Campbell
Director and CEO, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco,
United States

“I believe that technology and art will dissolve the boundaries between time and space, nature and technology, public and private, physical and virtual, exhibition and performance, stage and audience, and many other things. I am looking forward to meeting experts in various fields and discussing what culture can do for the well-being of humanity and the planet in Hong Kong, the centre of a new, energetic culture and art world.”
──Maholo Uchida
Project Head, Center for Cultural Innovations at TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY,
East Japan Railway Foundation for Cultural Innovations, Japan

“I am looking forward to taking part in the exciting discussion on Promise of Digital with my fellow artists and curators at the West Kowloon Cultural District hosted by the magnificent M+. From net art to AI, a stimulating field of questions for critical thinking and museology has intensified in recent years.”
──Dr Marcella Lista
Head Curator, New Media and Asia Pacific,
Centre Pompidou, France

“Nothing is more fast moving than technology, which presents museums with challenges and opportunities, both in terms of their collections and exhibitions programming, as well as in terms of the tools they use as organisations. I look forward to discussing these topics at the upcoming forum with colleagues worldwide, and especially from the region, where museums are proliferating.”
──Dr András Szántó
New York-based cultural strategy consultant and author, United States

“Hong Kong is a unique place where Chinese culture and international influences come together in a hub for creativity and digital innovation. At HKICS I'm looking forward to discussing with other experts and attendees how Web3 can stimulate fresh ideas and connect artistic communities in new ways and to new opportunities, further enhancing Hong Kong's cultural scene and innovation.“
──Yat Siu
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Animoca Brands, HKSAR

“I am very honoured to participate in the HKICS to discuss the future of museums with such a wonderful and diverse panel of international museum experts. This will be my first visit to Hong Kong, and I am very excited to share our vision for BIOTOPIA in Munich, as a new future-oriented museum for life sciences and environment, and experience the vibrant cultural scene of West Kowloon Cultural District.”
──Prof Michael John Gorman
Director Designate, MIT Museum, United States and
Founding Director, BIOTOPIA Naturkundemuseum Bayern, Germany

“This event in Hong Kong marks a pivotal moment, blending the forefront of technology with the richness of art and curating as an essential communicational tool. For me it will be a thrilling opportunity to not only showcase the innovative spirit of contemporary creators but also to illuminate creativity towards the profound wisdom and ancestral technologies of Colombian indigenous communities. Their timeless contributions to our collective heritage remind us that the future of art and technology is deeply rooted in the past. I am very excited to bridge these worlds, offering a unique dialogue that spans cultures, continents, and epochs.”
──María Wills Londoño
Independent Curator and Former Director,
Banco de la República Art Museums, Bogotá, Colombia

“We currently live within a digital environment, we need to consider how to stay connected to the natural world and our material histories and how to deal with the lack of emotion in virtuality. Hong Kong, particularly the West Kowloon Cultural District, is a vibrant and dynamic hub for creativity and innovation. I look forward to enriching discussions that contribute to the cultural landscape in this thriving city.”
──Ma Yansong
Architect, Founder of MAD Architects, China

“The National Museum of China is China’s foremost institution of history, culture, and art that collects, researches, showcases, and interprets the emblematic artifacts of Chinese culture. It’s also China’s cultural lounge. I look forward to meeting colleagues and experts from across the globe and discussing the shared challenges and new trends by museums globally, as well as diving deeper into how museums can play a greater role in the exchanges and mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world.”
──Dr Wang Chunfa
Director, National Museum of China, China

“I believe this kind of summits are necessary and useful to build bridges and to establish communications ties with cultural institutions worldwide. The Museo del Prado has one of the most extensive 16th and 17th century European paintings collections. Taking part in this Summit enables us to share this legacy and show it beyond our country’s frontiers.”
──Dr Miguel Falomir
Director, Museo Nacional Del Prado, Spain

“By bringing together stakeholders from so many different countries and prestigious institutions, HKICS will surely initiate invigorating exchanges and enlightening debates on such major topics as the social impact and responsibilities of our cultural institutions, the future of museums in a more global world and more technically savvy environment as well as the development of new narratives to reflect the complexity of the world more accurately. What a nice prospect!”
──Dr Yannick Lintz
President, Guimet-National Museum of Asian Arts, France

“As the director of the museum with the longest history in Japan, my goal is to lead a sustainable, world-class museum. In this ever-changing, international society, the Tokyo National Museum has been welcoming people from all around the world. I look forward to sharing our work and our vision with the colleagues and participants in Hong Kong and from around the world.”
──Makoto Fujiwara
Executive Director, Tokyo National Museum, Japan

The Summit is the first international event to kick off Hong Kong Art Week in late March, during which Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Central and other major arts and cultural events will be staged. A diverse array of networking opportunities will enhance the Summit’s experience, including a party in the evening of 25 March 2024 at M+, expected to be attended by 3,000 guests, as well as bilateral discussions, exclusive tours of museums and attending performing arts programmes, thereby enabling overseas guests to connect and exchange ideas while experiencing the unique East-meets-West cultural flavour of Hong Kong.

Major programmes in the District during the Summit period include special exhibitions The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: YUAN MING YUAN — Art and Culture of an Imperial Garden-Palace at the HKPM; The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Noir & Blanc—A Story of Photography at M+ and an immersive art installation Ephemeral, presented by Sydney-based design studio Atelier Sisu as a highlight of the WestK FunFest.

WKCDA extends its heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors whose generous support has made the Summit possible. These include the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR Government, Major Sponsor of the Summit; Cathay Pacific, WKCDA’s Travel Partner; and The Peninsula Hong Kong and HKT, Hotel Partner and Technology Partner of the Summit, respectively. South China Morning Post, as well as The Art Newspaper are the Media Partners of the Summit.

WKCDA will collaborate closely with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Information Services Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the HKSAR Government and Art Basel in publicising the Summit and Hong Kong Art Week. This concerted effort aims to elevate Hong Kong’s international profile as a cultural hub and a premier cultural tourism destination.

The content of this/these programme(s)/activity(ies) does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Remarks

About the West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects globally. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong on forty hectares of reclaimed land located alongside Victoria Harbour. With a varied mix of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, the West Kowloon Cultural District will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances and cultural events, providing twenty-three hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.