Public art has evolved from being monuments in public spaces, creating landmarks and being aesthetically pleasing, to public art that is socially engaged in the creation process, encouraging people participation and bringing empowerment and social change to the community.

This course will trace the recent development of public art in contemporary cities as it relates to urban revitalization and creative city branding.  Students will also critically analyze the role of community art in identity building and economy rejuvenation.  Global and local cases will be discussed and compared, such as the triennial Echigo Tsumari in Japan to the local case of Hi Hill! at Chuen Lung Village in Tai Mo Shan, where artworks were set in rice fields in the former, and villagers were socially engaged in pottery making to produce karaoke songs in Hakka dialect in the latter.  

This course will take a co-learning approach where students are required to be active learners to understand the development of public and community art, integrating theory with actual practice.   At least two field trips are required to understand the impact of community art and community building. As a cultural management elective, students are also required to understand cultural policies, management issues, funding mechanisms and commissioning processes of creating public and community art, with the final project being a pitch and proposal at an authentic community with community folks, artists, art organizations, businesses and the government all as stakeholders.

Ms. Ada WONG

Ada WONG JP (黃英琦) has led many careers in parallel: as solicitor, urban and district councillor, creative educator, cultural advocate and social innovator.  She has been involved in culture and arts policy and practices since her election to the Urban Council in 1995.  She was a member of the first Culture Commission in 2002 responsible for producing the first blueprint on cultural development. 

Ada believes that the uncertain and ambiguous future world requires everyone to cross boundaries, build empathy and experiment on innovations for good.  She is therefore a connector, bringing different stakeholders together to realize projects crossing over art, culture, creative industries, education, urban innovations, district administration and community development.   

She has founded non-profit education and creative institutions including the HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity, Make A Difference Institute, Good Lab Foundation, Ednovators, HK Children’s Musical Theatre and Millennium Youth Orchestra and others.  She received her BA (Hons) from Pomona College (USA) and MEd (Distinction) from the University of Hong Kong.

Time : Wed 15:30 – 18:15
Venue : Y.C. Liang Hall G03
Medium of instruction : Cantonese
Course Instructor : Ms. Ada WONG