2008/09 Young Friends of the Hong Kong Arts Festival
A Unique Journey into the Arts
The Young Friends of the Hong Kong Arts Festival is an integrated arts education and audience development programme designed to enhance the appreciation of the performing arts among young people. It was created in 1992 with the support of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund. Initially, the scheme was targeted at secondary school students, but from 2000, tertiary students have been also invited to become members.
The Young Friends website (www.yfs.artsfestival.org) was launched in October 2004. This support has extended the scheme's reach to young people online and made communication easier as well as providing a site for members and general public.
The scheme provides a unique arts experience throughout the year.
| 9-11/2008 | - 2008/09 Application starts now!
For local full-time secondary and tertiary students aged 25 or below.
Deadline: 30/11/2008 - School Tour
This outreaching presentation in September and October aims to promote YFS, highlight the upcoming Festival events and enhance the appreciation of various forms of performing arts among young people. - "YFS Arts Diary" Cover Design Competition
The winning design will be printed as the cover of YFS Arts Diary and distributed to over 6,000 members. The winner will be awarded at the Annual Outstanding Young Friends Prize Presentation Ceremony during Festival period.
Deadline: 15/11/2008
|
| 12/2008-3/2009 | - Arts Appreciation Activities
Activities such as talks or lecture demonstrations will be organized to bring about a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the Festival programmes or art forms from different perspectives. - 2009 Hong Kong Arts Festival Events
To encourage students to develop a greater interest in performing arts, members may attend TWO Festival events during the Festival period, 6/2-8/3/2009. These events will be either rehearsals or performances by local and international world-class artists. - PLUS Activities
Rehearsals, meet-the-artists, backstage visits and workshops are organized to enhance members' appreciation of various art forms. - Outstanding YFS Prize Presentation Ceremony
Outstanding members and schools will be invited to the ceremony during the Festival period.
|
| 5-8/2009 | - MY Summer Workshops & Show
A series of workshops across different disciplines will be organized and instructed by experienced artists. After completed the workshops, participants will have the opportunity to present their work in the MY Summer Show. - YFS Volunteer
YFS Volunteer is launched to enhance members' appreciation of arts & broaden their horizons, develop their lifelong interest in the performing arts and provide opportunities for them to contribute to the arts community. Outstanding volunteers will be invited to the Outstanding YFS Prize Presentation Ceremony. - Artist Story
A programme for members to meet with the artists from different disciplines and visit the studios and offices. - Discounts and Benefits
Various companies and arts groups are invited to support the YFS by offering free / discounted tickets and other special offers to members on the purchase of books, stationary, music scores and music instruments.
|
In order to enhance the collaboration with schools and encourage teachers to integrate performing arts into the curriculum, the School Partnership Initiative was launched in 2005 and provides comprehensive arts activities to partner schools. Schools with outstanding performances in supporting performing arts and the scheme will be invited as the partner schools and have the priorities in joining YFS activities such as School Tour, Festival Programmes and Pre- and Post-Performance Plus Activities.
The Young Friends of the Hong Kong Arts Festival has proved to be most effective with a steadily growing membership. In 2007/08, the Scheme successfully generated audiences totalling 30,872 persons. Out of these audience numbers, a total of 6,421 students came from 137 secondary schools, and 32 tertiary institutions joined as members of the scheme. Over the past 16 years, it has created, from the Festival's and sponsor's resources, a series of effective arts education programmes, reaching out to 518,030 students, of which 84,819 became members.
Young Friends of the Hong Kong Arts Festival - Activity Highlights
