West Kowloon Cultural District Faces Funding Crisis: Bernard Chan Advocates for Commercial Sponsorship

West Kowloon Cultural District is confronting a significant funding crisis, as highlighted by Bernard Chan, vice-chairman of the managing authority. In a recent interview, Chan suggested using commercial sponsorship to facilitate the construction of yet-to-be-built cultural facilities. This approach aims to mitigate the financial pressures faced by the arts hub which has struggled with high staff turnover and delayed venue responses.

The arts hub’s M+ museum will host its second fundraising gala dinner, seeking support amidst a severe funding crisis. Government grants are dwindling, with the HK$21.6 billion endowment set to expire soon, potentially leading to operational disruptions including reduced museum open days.

Chan believes securing private funds for unfinished sites is vital, indicating that to maintain public cultural offerings, seeking private sponsorships is essential. He noted that stakeholders must act decisively to avoid burdening taxpayers with further costs. Although past proposals for private-public funding models have surfaced, they remain unexecuted.

Reflecting on the ongoing challenges, Chan acknowledged that careful management and increased operational efficiency are critical. He aims to direct resources effectively to enhance public access to the district’s cultural landscape.