Hong Kong Arts Centre

What Hong Kong Arts Centre does

Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) is a self-financing, registered non-profit arts organisation founded in 1984 in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. It operates a multi-venue arts campus at 2 Harbour Road comprising Shouson Theatre (394 seats), Louis Koo Cinema (119 seats), Pao Galleries (527 sq m across 4/F and 5/F), multiple studios, an on-site HKAC Art Shop, and food-and-beverage tenancies (The Corner, Shiro Bakery), together with satellite campuses of its educational arm, Hong Kong Art School, in Chai Wan and Shau Kei Wan. HKAC serves diverse constituencies: general arts audiences, families with children, art students pursuing accredited programmes, professional and emerging artists, educational institutions booking guided tours, and corporate sponsors/donors. Over four decades HKAC reports reaching close to 22,000,000 local and overseas audience members.

HKAC's portfolio spans a set of programmes and sub-brands: the ifva awards and incubation platform for film and visual media (founded 1995); Comix Home Base, a dedicated Hong Kong comics and illustration programme partnered internationally with the Angoulême International Comics Festival; Collect HK, an annual art fair (inaugurated 2025) showcasing 280+ local artists and 500+ artworks; Hong Kong Art School offering Higher Diploma in Fine Art and a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) jointly with RMIT University; Kids Corner art programmes for ages 5+; short courses and workshops; the Docent Programme (cumulatively 30,000+ beneficiaries); and the Junior Docent youth ambassador initiative. Underlying infrastructure comprises URBTIX-integrated ticketing, Schooltracs online registration, multilingual programme websites (English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese), and active channels on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

HKAC generates revenue through six primary streams without recurrent government funding: box-office and ticket sales (films at HK$75, theatre seats HK$650–HK$780); venue hire of theatres, galleries, studios, atrium and meeting spaces; retail sales at the HKAC Art Shop; short-course and Kids Corner programme fees (HK$1,890 per module); charitable donations and membership subscriptions (tax-deductible ≥ HK$100); and transaction-based participation in art-fair programmes. Sponsorship revenue is anchored by a tiered Diamond/Platinum/Gold/Silver corporate structure including Airport Authority Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, ESR, Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Culture/Sports/Tourism Bureau, Education Bureau, CCIDA, Urban Renewal Authority, the Philip K.H. Wong Foundation, and Ms Cissy Pao Pui Lai. Go-to-market is event-driven: an active programme calendar of exhibitions, performances, screenings, workshops and art fairs monetised through both the physical campus and digital channels.

Name

Hong Kong Arts Centre

Legal name

Hong Kong Arts Centre

Website

https://hkac.org.hk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) is a self-financing, registered Hong Kong non-profit arts organisation founded in 1984. It operates a multi-venue Wan Chai campus with theatres, galleries, cinema, studios, retail, and educational facilities, serving general arts audiences, students, families, artists, and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts and Cultural Centre

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fine Arts Colleges (Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking) (EDAHAJAA), Performing Arts Colleges (Theatre, Dance, Musical Theatre) (EDAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Arts exhibition programming
• Performing arts venue
• Arts education programs
• Film screenings cinema
• Artist development support

Headquarters

HQ city

Wan Chai

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Box Office and Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for performances, screenings, and events at Shouson Theatre, Louis Koo Cinema, and other venues.
2. Venue Hire: Rental income from leasing venues including Pao Galleries, Shouson Theatre, Louis Koo Cinema, and meeting spaces to external organisations.
3. Art Shop Sales: Retail sales through the HKAC Art Shop offering art-related merchandise and products.
4. Short Courses: Revenue from arts education short courses for adults and children, conducted at Hong Kong Art School campus.
5. Donations and Membership: Charitable donations and membership fees from individuals and corporations. Tax-deductible receipts issued for donations HK$100 or above.
6. Art Fair Participation: Revenue from Collect Hong Kong Art Fair featuring local artists and artworks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hong Kong Arts Centre is a multi-venue non-profit arts organisation that programmes and presents visual arts exhibitions, performing arts events, film screenings and arts education at its Wan Chai campus, and hires out its theatres, galleries, cinema and studios to external organisers. Through its wholly-owned sub-brand Hong Kong Art School it delivers accredited Higher Diploma and Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) programmes jointly with RMIT University. Revenue comes from ticket sales, course fees, venue hire, Art Shop retail, memberships, donations and corporate sponsorship.

Product overview

Hong Kong Arts Centre operates as a multi-venue arts institution with its educational arm Hong Kong Art School, offering a comprehensive portfolio of visual and performing arts programmes. The organization manages dedicated venues including Shouson Theatre (394 seats), Louis Koo Cinema (119 seats), Pao Galleries, and multiple studios for exhibitions, performances, screenings, and educational activities. Its sub-brands include ifva (film and visual media awards since 1995), Comix Home Base (comics promotion), and Collect HK (art fair). Programming spans exhibitions, performances, screenings, workshops, short courses, and youth education through Kids Corner and Junior Docent Programme. The Centre serves as both a presenter and platform for nurturing local and international artistic exchange.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hong Kong Art School: Art education institution offering higher diploma and bachelor's degree programmes in fine art, operated in partnership with RMIT University.
• ifva
• Comix Home Base
• Art of Commercials (AOC)
• ALL ABOUT US
• Kids Corner

Products and services

• Hong Kong Art School Educational arm of HKAC offering Higher Diploma in Fine Art (HDFA) and Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (BAFA) programmes jointly with RMIT University, with campuses at 10/F HKAC Main Campus, Youth Square in Chai Wan, and a Shau Kei Wan Ceramics & Sculpture campus. Annual graduate exhibitions are held at the Centre.
• Box Office and Ticket Sales Box office ticket sales for theatre performances, film screenings and events at Shouson Theatre (394 seats), Louis Koo Cinema (119 seats) and other HKAC venues, distributed through URBTIX online, phone and outlet channels.
• Kids Corner Art Programme Studio art programme for children aged 5 and above covering painting, sculpting, building and performing arts at 15/F Hong Kong Arts Centre. Modules include Visual Storytellers Studio and Moulders & Makers Studio at HK$1,890 per module with sibling and consecutive-module discounts.
• Short Courses Hands-on studio practice short courses for participants aged 16 and above across various art media and genres, delivered at Hong Kong Art School and registered through the Schooltracs online portal.
• HKAC Art Shop On-site retail space selling art-related merchandise, operated via the Shopline storefront at hkacartshop.shoplineapp.com.
• Venue Hire Venue rental service for Shouson Theatre, Louis Koo Cinema, Pao Galleries (527 sq m across 4/F and 5/F), McAulay Studio, Eric Hotung Studio, Diana Cheung Experimental Gallery, Jockey Club Atrium and other meeting spaces, with enquiries handled by the Venue Operation Office.
• Membership Membership programme offering exclusive benefits and access to HKAC events, facilities and member-only activities for individuals and corporations, with online sign-up via the HKAC website.
• ifva (Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards) Founded by HKAC in 1995, ifva serves as an incubator and awards platform for Asian film and visual media talent, actively promoting creative practitioners.
• Comix Home Base Dedicated space at 2/F HKAC for comics and illustration exhibitions, programmes and international promotion of Hong Kong comics, with paid solo exhibition slots (HKD1,500 per week handling fee).
• Collect HK Art Fair Annual HKAC art fair programme showcasing Hong Kong art across four curated zones; the 2026 edition (March 21–29) showcases over 500 artworks from more than 280 local artists with curatorial direction by Mr Gary Mok, and 2025 was the inaugural year.
• Docent Programme Volunteer programme where professionally trained docents deliver free guided tours in Cantonese and English covering public art, architecture, exhibitions and art education to school groups, community organisations and art lovers; has served over 30,000 audiences.
• Cine Fan Film Programme Curated film programme co-presented by HKAC and the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, screening at Louis Koo Cinema at HK$75 per ticket.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RMIT UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programme partner for Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) degree. Hong Kong Art School and RMIT University jointly present the BAFA Graduate Exhibition annually.
• Hong Kong International Film Festival SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Cine Fan film programme, following the 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival.
• Angoulême International Comics Festival (France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing international partnership for Hong Kong Comics promotion. Multiple Comix Home Base programmes featured at Angoulême including FEVER - Hong Kong Comics, OUAT Hong Kong Comics Touring Exhibition.
• ifva (Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards)coreOthersFounded by Hong Kong Arts Centre in 1995, ifva has established itself as Asia's incubator for film and visual media.
• Kung Music WorkshopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of The Jockey Club Street Music Series (2015-2017) for nurturing local music talents.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• M+ (M Plus) Museum: Hong Kong's museum of contemporary visual culture located in the West Kowloon Cultural District, focused on visual art, design, architecture, and moving image. Comparable as a Hong Kong visual arts institution presenting exhibitions, screenings, and learning programmes.
• West Kowloon Cultural District Authority: Hong Kong's large-scale government-backed arts and cultural district operating Xiqu Centre, Freespace, Art Park, and M+. Directly comparable as a multi-venue arts/cultural institution serving Hong Kong audiences with performing and visual arts programming.
• Asia Society Hong Kong Center: Hong Kong arts and cultural institution presenting contemporary art exhibitions, performing arts events, and Asia-focused cultural programming from the Former Victoria Barracks site. Directly comparable as a Hong Kong-based multi-disciplinary arts centre with educational and community programming.
• Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage & Arts: Hong Kong's heritage-led arts centre in the former Central Police Station compound, presenting contemporary art exhibitions, performing arts, and creative learning programmes. Directly comparable as a multi-disciplinary Hong Kong arts centre combining exhibitions, performances, and education.
• Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts: Hong Kong's statutory performing arts university offering degree programmes in dance, drama, music, theatre, film, and technical arts. Comparable as a Hong Kong arts education institution performing an overlapping educational function alongside HKAC's Hong Kong Art School.

Regional players

• Taipei Performing Arts Center: Taiwan's modern multi-theatre performing arts venue featuring three distinct auditoriums. Comparable regional peer operating multi-venue theatre programming for drama, music, and dance in an Asian metropolitan context.
• National Gallery Singapore: Singapore's leading visual arts institution housing the largest public collection of modern Singaporean and Southeast Asian art, presenting exhibitions, education, and public programmes. Comparable regional peer for exhibition and education programming in visual arts.
• LASALLE College of the Arts: Singapore's leading private arts institution offering degree programmes in fine arts, design, media arts, and performing arts. Comparable regional peer as an arts education institution with an exhibition/performing arts arm.
• Power Station of Art (Shanghai): China's first state-run contemporary art museum, housed in a former power station and presenting contemporary art exhibitions and public programmes. Comparable regional peer as a venue-based contemporary arts institution serving a major Asian metropolitan audience.
• Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay: Singapore's premier multi-venue performing arts centre with a 1,600-seat concert hall, 2,000-seat theatre, and studio spaces, presenting performances, screenings, and learning programmes. Comparable regional peer as a multi-venue performing arts centre operating on a self-financing/non-profit basis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/HongKongArtsCentre
• Facebookfacebook.com/HongKongArtsCentre
• Instagraminstagram.com/comixhomebase
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hong-kong-arts-centre

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hong Kong Arts Centre