Time has certainly flown by with the Hong Kong Art School (HKAS) celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010.  A series of rejoicing events have been scheduled throughout the year.  It has already begun with an Alumni Reunion Dinner in January, followed by an Alumni-Staff Joint Exhibition - The Missing Parts - at the Pao Galleries of the Hong Kong Arts Centre in February. The School will host the Open Days in July, publish a book dedicated to the achievement of our students and staff and organise an exhibition of the School Archive in a commemorative week during November. It seems natural for a publicly-funded tertiary institution to operate for 10 years or more.  But for a self-financed art institute to offer studio-based accredited award-bearing programmes with major studies, it is a noble achievement.

Since I became a member of the HKAS family in August 2008, I have identified campus development as one of my work priorities given that adequate and affordable space for teaching and learning is paramount for art training. The School is very grateful to the Education Bureau for allotting a vacant school premises to the HKAS in April 2009. The Shau Kei Wan (SKW) Campus now houses the majority of our Higher Diploma students. Our inter-disciplinary projects have actively involved local residents and have truly integrated the School to becoming part of the community in the Eastern District of Hong Kong.

In December 2009, the HKAS acquired additional studio space at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC) in Shek Kip Mei. Consequently, our Shek Kip Mei (SKM) Campus has been in operation since January 2010 with the relocation of our painting studios, ceramics studios and photography studios to the JCCAC. The renovation of the Main Campus in Wan Chai was completed in February 2010. In addition to an expanded library space, there is a new English Language Corner and a lecture room with a seating capacity of 120. The Main Campus remains as the key venue for most of our short courses, due to its proximity to Central and Admiralty.

The HKAS underwent an Institutional Review and was conferred the Higher Diploma awarding status by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) some seven years ago. Our Higher Diploma programmes have since gone through different validations with a resounding success. In April 2010, the School will welcome another HKCAAVQ panel and learn from the external review experience and exchanges.

The School is proud of its passion for art and its distinct teaching philosophy and methodologies for art education. In light of the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District by the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Hong Kong Art School, as an accredited independent art institute, stands ready to contribute to this meaningful effort. We welcome you on board to share our dream and vision.

Felix Leung
Director, Hong Kong Art School
March 2010