The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority has been operating for almost six months.

There are many pressing tasks to deal with, but there are two specific questions at the front of our minds: What is our vision for the cultural district? Is our cultural software ready?

As far as our broad vision is concerned, my short answer is: the WKCD is the people's gathering place, meant to bring arts to the people, and to bring people to the arts.

The arts can lift the spirit, stir the soul, inspire us, and help us look at the world from different perspectives. They are expressions of creativity, and crucibles of talent.

So, the WKCD should stand for individuality and multiplicity. It should be both inclusive and exclusive.

The district's 40-hectare harbour-front facilities will not simply be a temple of high arts. There will be space for experimental and popular arts, space for gastronomic culture, street performances, leisure, and space for families to enjoy the view.

Something for everyone

We hope anyone who visits the district will find something there to enjoy. We want families to make it a regular part of their lives.

It's all about creating something that is relevant for the many different people and groups who will visit the district.

The arts hub will not be an island on its own. We are thinking very much about connectivity and cohesion with surrounding districts.

Lively arts and culture cannot be imported, they need local context and support to survive and thrive.

The WKCD will reach out to other districts and embrace Hong Kong's unique character. It will look to the Lingnan culture of Guangdong and southern China, as well as broader Chinese culture for inspiration.

WKCD's development blueprint will enhance Hong Kong's cultural connectivity beyond our borders, as well as enhance cohesion with, and integration of, older neighbourhoods.

We want to make the WKCD a vibrant melting pot of cultural endeavour where all types of arts and cultural activities can be seen and heard and experienced so Hong Kong develops into a truly creative Pearl River Delta metropolis.

It is a natural extension of our positioning as a place where East truly meets West and creates something unique.

We will ensure the WKCD is a sustainable undertaking. Speedy development, or grand buildings are not our objective.

It will be allowed to grow organically, with well-balanced demand and supply of facilities and initiatives.

We will also ensure the WKCD is an eco-friendly, green pioneer that adopts the most advanced eco-friendly initiatives.

As far as software is concerned, authority members are acutely aware that developing and nurturing creative talent, professional support and interest in the arts are all key factors in the success of the whole undertaking.

We have already initiated studies on the positioning of the M+ facility as well as various performing venues. We are gathering views from the public and the arts and culture sectors.

The authority will organise performances and exhibitions in the run-up to the commissioning of WKCD facilities. This will help us explore and determine the right mix of contents for the WKCD.

Unprecedented project

This project is an unprecedented opportunity to develop artistic and cultural life of this city. That is why the Government has seized this opportunity to overhaul our arts and culture strategy so we can strengthen our software in the run-up to the opening of WKCD venues.

We are taking a three-pronged approach: capacity building, audience building, and arts education.

We have an ambitious list of initiatives being rolled out or under planning.

These include:

- identifying new venues for budding artists and small and medium arts groups;

- bringing more arts programmes to the community and schools;

- enhancing support for the well-established Hong Kong Arts Festival;

- promoting public arts;

- strengthening the dissemination of arts information;

- supporting more arts groups and artists to engage in overseas exchanges;

- encouraging private and commercial donations and sponsorship;

- introducing more arts learning opportunities in the new secondary school curriculum and providing better support to arts teachers;

- conducting policy researches;

- providing more education and internship opportunities for arts administrators;

- stepping up public arts education; and,

- reviewing the positioning of the Academy for Performing Arts.

The WKCD will not only be a showcase for creativity, it will also be a catalyst for the development of creative industries.

Hong Kong has all the fundamentals to make this happen.

New economic pillar

We are an open, inclusive and cosmopolitan society. We have the free and unfettered exchange of ideas and information. We have an excellent legal system that protects intellectual property rights.

We expect the WKCD will create economic activities and jobs that will help consolidate our resources and lift our creative industries to a new level.  In other words, it could be a new pillar of our economy.

The WKCD Authority will soon launch a series of public engagement activities. We hope the public will actively participate so we can build an arts hub that will make us all proud.

It's all about developing a place that brings arts to the people, and people to the arts.

Chief Secretary Henry Tang is the chairman of the board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority