Hong Kong Museum of Art to close for four years of renovations

The Hong Kong Museum of Art will close as of 2nd August for a HK$930 million renovation and expansion that will give it 43% more exhibition space and high ceilings when it reopens in  2019.

Under the renovation plans, the Museum's exhibition area is to be expanded to more than 10,000 metres² from about 7,000 metres² today, and its current seven galleries will be increased to 10.

The Museum’s present building has been in service since opening in 1991, with the redevelopment, and planned renaming as the Hong Kong Art Gallery, set see the Museum “embark on a new journey.”

Museum Director Eve Tam Mei-Yee explained “by 2019, we will herald a brand new look to (the suburb of) Tsim Sha Tsui.

"We will have more space for exhibitions and at least one of the galleries will be for a permanent display of Hong Kong art.”

The Hong Kong Museum of Art is one of the museums managed by the Hong Kong Government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Established in 1962, it was first housed in the City Hall, moving to its present purpose-built premises by the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in 1991. The Museum also has a branch, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, located in Hong Kong Park.

Looking forward to the new location, Leisure and Cultural Services Department Assistant Director Chan Shing-wai said the Hong Kong Art Gallery will have a display area of at least 800 metres². Gallery ceiling heights will be raised to 5 metres to 9 metres from the current range of between 3.5 and 4.5 metres.

Tam explained “llast year we wanted to exhibit some Chinese historical heritage in our gallery but some exhibits were over seven meters tall.

“We didn't have enough space and had to stage the exhibition at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

A new gallery will be set up on the rooftop and two others will be in a new annex block with double-ceiling height.

The existing restaurant and gift shop will be moved to the ground floor to present the new art gallery as a haven for relaxation.

The new-look museum will be ‘modern and clean’ and the colour of its wall will be changed from brown to light gray to make it distinct from the Hong Kong Cultural Centre complex.

Click here to visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art website.

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