Afternoon Breakout – IDEATE 1a: Hong Kong: The Thriving Cultural Hub of Asia – Navigating Future Opportunities

Wed 23 Oct 1:30 PM — 2:05 PM (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Join this insightful panel discussion where we explore Hong Kong's emergence as a premier cultural hub in Asia—an evolution that balances East and West, old and new. Our panel will examine the strategic steps Hong Kong can take to strengthen its leadership in the global art and cultural scene.

With events like the Art Basel signaling its vital role in the global art market, Hong Kong attracts thousands of visitors and hundreds of galleries annually. This panel will discuss how ongoing initiatives, such as major auction houses’ spring auctions and the inaugural Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, are set to bolster its reputation further.

Engage with industry leaders and cultural visionaries as we discuss how Hong Kong can continue to set benchmarks in cultural excellence.

Speakers

Moderator

Mr. Chris Law

Founding Director The Oval Partnership, Ltd.

Chris Law is an acknowledged leading expert and practitioner on sustainable urbanism and neighbourhood development. He is an ardent supporter of community participation and encourages this form of engagement across social, ecological, and economic capital aspects in the placemaking process. Chris founded the Oval Partnership with Patrick Bruce in 1992, and is a director of its subsidiary, the sustainable and smart city action research group…

Speaker

Mr. Francis Belin

President Christie's Asia Pacific

Based in Hong Kong, Francis Belin has been President of Christie’s Asia Pacific since January 2019. In this leadership role, Francis manages all Asia Pacific-based teams including the regional offices and is accountable for all transactions made by Asia-based collectors globally, across live, online, and private sales. In addition, he globally oversees Christie’s Asian and World Art departments and the Luxury departments. Under Francis’ helm,…

Speaker

Dr. Gillian Choa

Director The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Professor Gillian Choa, a passionate educator, became the first woman and the first Hongkonger to head The Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts when she stepped up to the role of the organisation’s Director in 2021. She joined the Academy full time as a member of its Theatre Design Department in 1996 and was appointed Dean of the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts…

Speaker

Mr. Mike Hill

Managing Director and Co-Founder Clockenflap Festivals Ltd

Mike Hill is Managing Director and Co-Founder of Clockenflap Festivals Ltd, and Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Total Ticketing Ltd. Clockenflap Festivals operates a growing number of music festivals, concerts and live events across Asia, including its centrepiece event, Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival in Hong Kong. Mike has guided Clockenflap's impressive growth, from the festival's grass-roots beginning in 2008, to its sell-out edition…

Speaker

Ms. Angelle Siyang-Le

Director Art Basel Hong Kong

In her role as Director, Art Basel Hong Kong, Angelle Siyang-Le leads the direction of Art Basel’s flagship event in Asia and will drive the Hong Kong show’s future development. Prior to her appointment as the director in November 2022, Siyang-Le oversaw the business development of Art Basel in Greater China, as well as show strategy and gallery relations for the Hong Kong show. In…