{{short description|Tertiary arts school in Hong Kong}} {{Use Hong Kong English|date=May 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox university | name = Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts | native_name = 香港演藝學院 | native_name_lang = zh-hant | image = HKAPA exterior 2018.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = The Main Campus of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in Wan Chai, Hong Kong in October 2018 | latin_name = | motto = | motto_lang = | mottoeng = | type = Public | established = {{start date and age|1984}} | endowment = | budget = | officer_in_charge = | chairperson = | chancellor = {{Hong Kong university chancellor}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Governance|url=http://www.hkapa.edu/about/governance/|website=The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts|access-date=14 February 2017}}</ref> | vice-president = | Executive Director = | superintendent = | provost = | vice_chancellor = | rector = | principal = | dean = | chairman = Symon WONG Yu-wing MH | director = Anna CY Chan | head_label = | head = | academic_staff = | administrative_staff = | students = | undergrad = 790<ref name="annualreport1314">{{cite web|title=2013-2014 Annual Report|url=http://www.hkapa.edu/f/page/5919/annualreport1314.pdf|publisher=Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts|access-date=16 February 2016|archive-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213190657/http://www.hkapa.edu/f/page/5919/annualreport1314.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> | postgrad = 141<ref name="annualreport1314"/> | doctoral = | other = 1130<ref name="annualreport1314"/> | city = | location = No. 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong | coor = | campus = Urban | language = | free_label = | free = | colors = <!-- or: | colours = --> | athletics = | sports = | athletics_nickname = <!-- or: | athletics_nicknames = --><!-- or: | sports_nickname = --><!-- or: | sports_nicknames = --> | mascot = <!-- or: | mascots = --> | sporting_affiliations = | website = {{url|http://www.hkapa.edu/}} | logo = HKAPA Hong Kong logo.svg | footnotes = | module = {{infobox Chinese | child = yes | order = ts | s = 香港演艺学院 | t = 香港演藝學院 | p = Xiānggǎng Yǎnyì Xuéyuàn | w = | mi = | j = Hoeng1gong2 Jin2ngai6 Hok6jyun2 | y = Hēunggóng Yínngaih Hohkyuhn | ci = }} }}
thumbnail|Entrance in November 2007 alt=|thumb|Lobby in August 2016 thumbnail|Campus atrium in June 2008
The '''Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts''' ('''HKAPA''') is a public higher education institution in Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.
Located near the north coast of Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island, the main campus also functions as a venue for performances. Bethanie, which is the site of the institution's Landmark Heritage Campus in Pok Fu Lam, has housed the School of Film and Television since 2007.
The Academy provides practice-based and professional diploma, advanced diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Chinese opera, dance, drama, film and television, music, and theatre and entertainment arts. Its educational policy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with an emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions and interdisciplinary learning. In the 2026 QS World University rankings, the Academy ranks 10th for Performing Arts and 1st in Asia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-05 |title=QS World University Rankings for Performing Arts 2026 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/performing-arts |access-date=2026-04-01 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref>
Every year, the Academy enrolls approximately 750 students for its full-time programmes and around 770 students for its Junior Music Programme and Gifted Young Dancer Programme.
==History== In early 1981, the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club informed Governor Murray MacLehose that it was willing to fund another project of a comparable scale to its recent major undertakings, which included the Ocean Park and the Jubilee Sports Centre.<ref name="plans"/> The government responded with a proposal to develop an academy for the performing arts.<ref name="plans"/> The Academy would complement the performing arts spaces being opened across the territory by the Urban Council, and provide opportunities for creative youth just as the Jubilee Sports Centre was developed to serve young sportspeople.<ref>{{cite news|title=Performing arts project 'timely'|work=South China Morning Post|date=8 October 1981|page=16}}</ref>
On 15 September 1981, the Jockey Club formally announced plans to build the Academy on a piece of vacant land in Wan Chai, granted by the government, between HMS Tamar and the Hong Kong Arts Centre.<ref name="plans">{{cite news|last1=Jim|first1=McGrath|title=Jockey Club plans centre for the arts|work=South China Morning Post|date=16 September 1981|page=1}}</ref> The academy was established in 1984. In the early 1990s, the Academy became a degree-granting institution.
The main campus was designed by local firm Simon Kwan and Associates, who were among six firms invited to submit designs in a limited competition.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hayhoe|first1=Jane|title=Academy to hold four art schools|work=South China Morning Post|date=2 March 1982|page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=HK Academy for Performing Arts|url=http://www.simonkwan.com.hk/APA.html|publisher=Simon Kwan and Associates|access-date=16 February 2016}}</ref> It comprises the Academy Block, the Theatre Block, and the Administration Block. The Administration Block was ready for occupation in July 1985.<ref name="87ar">{{cite web|title=Annual Report 1985-86|url=https://www.hkapa.edu/f/spotlight/39038/1stAP.pdf|publisher=Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts|date=February 1987|access-date=16 February 2016|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208044943/https://www.hkapa.edu/f/spotlight/39038/1stAP.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Academy Block was formally opened on 18 September 1985 by Governor Edward Youde. The Theatre Block was opened by the Duchess of Kent on 3 February 1986, the same day the inaugural opera season began as part of the 1986 Hong Kong Arts Festival.<ref name="87ar"/> The 1981 model produced for the architectural competition is now held by the M+ museum.<ref>{{cite web|title=Competition Model, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Building Design, Hong Kong|url=http://www.westkowloon.hk/en/mplus/explore-the-collection/competition-model-hong-kong-academy-for-performing-arts-building-design-hong-kong-simon-kwan-associates-ltd-established-hong-kong-1973-2013-158|website=M+|publisher=West Kowloon Cultural District Authority|access-date=16 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214000308/http://www.westkowloon.hk/en/mplus/explore-the-collection/competition-model-hong-kong-academy-for-performing-arts-building-design-hong-kong-simon-kwan-associates-ltd-established-hong-kong-1973-2013-158|archive-date=14 February 2017}}</ref>
In 2006 the Academy established a second campus at Béthanie in Pok Fu Lam. It mainly houses specialist facilities for the School of Film and Television.<ref name="expansion">{{cite web|title=Expansion and Improvement of Wanchai Campus of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr11-12/english/panels/ha/papers/ha0420cb2-1704-1-e.pdf|publisher=Legislative Council|date=20 April 2012}}</ref>
The original campus was designed for a student population of 600 students. The Academy has been facing space constraints as enrolment has gradually risen, prompting planning for campus expansion.<ref name="expansion"/> The 334 Scheme further exacerbated the problem.<ref name="expansion"/> In June 2012 the Legislative Council approved funding of $444.8 million for construction of a nine-storey annex block, and other campus improvements, presently under construction.<ref>{{cite web|title=On-Campus Expansion (OCE)|url=https://www.hkapa.edu/about/support-services/cdm/on-going-projects/|publisher=Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts|access-date=16 February 2016|archive-date=12 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312160042/https://www.hkapa.edu/about/support-services/cdm/on-going-projects/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The expansion will house classrooms, studios, laboratories, music rooms, offices, workshops and support facilities.<ref name="expansion"/>
The Academy is working with the West Kowloon Cultural District on education plans and venue usage.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chow|first1=Vivienne|title=Academy for Performing Arts to focus on employability and research|work=South China Morning Post|date=16 December 2016}}</ref>
==Governance== The Academy is governed under The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance, passed in 1984 by the Legislative Council. Under the legislation the academy is mandated to "foster and provide for training, education and research in the performing arts and related technical arts".<ref name="eLegis-1135">{{cite web | title=The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance | url=https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap1135 | website=elegislation.gov.hk | publisher=Department of Justice | date=1 July 1997 | access-date=17 August 2019 }} </ref> The governing body of the institution is called the Council of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, which is responsible for appointing a director, who oversees the day-to-day operation of the academy.
The Academy is funded through tuition fees as well as a subvention provided by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. This arrangement differs from most other post-secondary institutions in the territory, which are funded by the University Grants Committee.
Kevin Thompson was director of the Academy from 2004 to 2012. During his tenure the institute forged international links, including arrangements with the Juilliard School in New York City as well as mainland colleges, and introduced master's degrees in performing arts disciplines. Thompson also initiated planning for campus expansion.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Chow | first1=Vivienne | title=Academy for Performing Arts chief Kevin Thompson speaks on leaving his post | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1017345/academy-performing-arts-chief-kevin-thompson-speaks-leaving-his-post | work=South China Morning Post | date=18 August 2012 | access-date=16 August 2019 }} </ref> Professor Adrian Walter, was recruited in 2012. He had been the dean of music at the Australian National University in Canberra since 2008.<ref name="walter">{{cite news | last=Chow | first=Vivienne | title=New chief Adrian Walter has big plans for HK Academy for Performing Arts | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1028429/new-chief-adrian-walter-has-big-plans-hk-academy-performing-arts | work=South China Morning Post | date=3 September 2012 | access-date=16 August 2019 }}Professor Gillian Choa succeeded Professor Adrian Walter as the new Director of the Academy with effect from 1 January 2021. She is the first female Director since the establishment of the Academy in 1984. </ref> Professor Gillian Choa succeeded as the new director of the academy with effect from 1 January 2021. Professor Choa was the first female director since the establishment of the academy in 1984. Professor Anna CY Chan has been appointed the eighth Director of the Academy since April 2025.
==Academic units==
The Academy offers academic programmes from diploma/foundation to master's degree level in six Schools:
* School of Chinese Opera * School of Dance * School of Drama * School of Film and Television * School of Music * School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts
==Facilities== * Lyric Theatre, with 1,181 seats. * Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre, with 415 seats. * Concert Hall, with 382 seats. * Recital Hall, with 134–202 seats * Studio Theatre, with 120–240 seats * Béthanie Theatre at the Béthanie Campus * Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, 600 seats
==Notable alumni== {{columns-list|colwidth=30em| * Power Chan, Hong Kong television and film actor * Sunny Chan, Hong Kong television and film actor * Louis Cheung, Hong Kong Cantopop recording-artist, songwriter, and actor * Rachel Cheung, Hong Kong pianist * Cheung Tat-ming, Hong Kong actor, comedian, director, and writer * Jim Chim, Hong Kong actor and comedian * Candace Chong Mui Ngam, Hong Kong playwright * Athena Chu, Hong Kong actress and singer * Candy Chu, Hong Kong actress for the Hong Kong TVB television station * Katy Kung, Hong Kong actress * Gigi Lai, Hong Kong actress and Cantopop singer * Joey Leung, Hong Kong actor * Charmaine Li, actress with Television Broadcasts Limited * Alan Mak, Hong Kong filmmaker * Yan Yan Mak, award-winning Hong Kong director * Marco Ngai, Hong Kong actor * Kearen Pang, Hong Kong actress, writer * Louisa So, Hong Kong actress in drama and TV series * Sun Wai-Keung, Hong Kong stage and TV actor, "Best Actor" winner of the Hong Kong Drama Awards * Gem Tang Zhi-kei, Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actress * Anthony Wong, award-winning Hong Kong actor, screenwriter, and film director * Wong Cho-lam, Hong Kong stage actor, stage director, and television actor * Mandy Wong, Hong Kong television actress * Tak Chiu Wong, Hong Kong saxophonist * Neo Yau, Hong Kong actor * Yvonne Yung, Hong Kong actress * Rebecca Zhu, Hong Kong actress }}
==See also== * Education in Hong Kong * List of higher education institutions in Hong Kong * List of buildings and structures in Hong Kong
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts}} * {{official website|http://www.hkapa.edu/}} {{Wan Chai District}} {{Universities and Colleges in Hong Kong}} {{Ballet schools}} {{coord|22|16|49|N|114|10|10|E|display=t|type:edu}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts}} Academy for Performing Arts Academy for Performing Arts Academy for Performing Arts Category:Universities and colleges in Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Category:Performing arts education in Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Academy for Performing Arts Hong Kong Category:Design schools Category:Educational institutions established in 1984 Category:Alumni of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Category:1984 establishments in Hong Kong Category:Concert halls in Hong Kong Category:Schools of Chinese opera