Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts celebrated its first anniversary today (25 May) with the launch of Tai Kwun 101 heritage exhibition as guests and visitors watched the spectacular performance by the Hong Kong Police Force at the ceremony.

Since opening its doors to the public a year ago, the heritage site has come alive with heritage and arts exhibitions, musical performances, film shows, docent tours and more. Some 3.4 million visitors were recorded in its first year of operations, making it the most visited heritage site in town.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Carrie Lam, Dr Anthony W K Chow, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo Wai-chung officiated at the anniversary celebrations. More than 200 guests including Government officials, community leaders, heritage, arts and culture representatives, as well as programme partners attended the ceremony.

Dr Chow said Tai Kwun had more than lived up to its purpose as a vibrant and vital part of Hong Kong’s cultural and artistic life. “Since its opening, Tai Kwun has mounted an active programme of exhibitions, events and performances. It has collaborated with major arts groups and festivals and given a platform to up-and-coming artists and performers. It has also reached out to the local community, recording and sharing the stories of Central district, and has welcomed citizens from all walks of life, including students, the elderly and the differently abled.”

Coinciding with the first anniversary celebrations is the opening of Tai Kwun 101, a thematic exhibition that showcases 101 objects related to the Central Police Station compound and chronicles a variety of stories about work and life in these historic buildings over time.

In addition, an inspiring array of exhibitions and programmes featuring home grown and international artists and troupes has been lined up. For example, a contemporary arts exhibition by world famous artist Takashi Murakami will open from 1 June.

Dr Chow said the restoration of the Central Police Station compound and its revitalisation as Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts, has enabled the Club not only to set a new standard for heritage conservation in Hong Kong, but to transform the site into a living, breathing cultural space that all can enjoy.

Support for the project, as for all of its community initiatives, was made possible through the Club’s unique integrated business model. It is through this model that the Club contributes to the betterment of our society, delivering economic and social value for the benefit of all. As the most significant “Arts, Culture and Heritage” charities project of the Club and the largest heritage conservation and revitalisation project in Hong Kong, Tai Kwun contributes to the city’s heritage and cultural life and strengthens Hong Kong’s position as an international arts and cultural hub.

Dr Chow expressed special thanks to Chief Executive Carrie Lam who was a driving force behind the project from the very beginning. He also thanked the Government departments involved, the Antiquities Advisory Board, members of the Jockey Club Central Police Station Advisory Committee, members of the Heritage Working Group and the Art Working Group, as well as the Central and Western District Council and the neighbouring community for their support over the past year.

Led by The Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with the Government of the HKSAR, the project was recognised on its structural excellence with its project engineering consultant, Arup, presented the Structural Excellence Award 2019 by The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. Tai Kwun also received the HKICON Conservation Award 2018 – Interpretation Category by The Hong Kong Institute of Architectural Conservationists. The revitalisation project was named by The Telegraph as one of the largest and most intricate conservation projects in the city.

About Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts
“Arts, culture and heritage” is one of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s strategic areas of charitable contribution. The Central Police Station (CPS) Revitalisation Project is the largest heritage conservation and revitalisation project undertaken by the Club and has been carried out in partnership with the Government of the HKSAR.

The CPS compound comprises three declared monuments (former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison), with a total of 16 heritage buildings and some outdoors spaces, on a 13,600 square-metre site in the heart of Central. An international-grade art gallery and an auditorium have been added to contribute to the adaptive reuse of the site.  

In addition to undertaking the CPS Revitalisation Project, the Club’s Charities Trust has set up The Jockey Club CPS Limited to manage and operate the site as Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts.

Tai Kwun is the local colloquial name used by police officers and the public alike to refer to the former police headquarters and the surrounding CPS compound. The name has been adopted by The Jockey Club CPS Limited as a reminder of the historical importance of the site.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2017/18, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$22.6 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.2 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.2 billion. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world’s top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.