Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau says the Government will act as a facilitator in providing support and encouraging community participation in cultural development and creative arts.

Mrs Yau today visited a Fotan artist community to learn about the local arts scene. She toured the artworks on exhibit in the studios of the Fotanian - Fotan Artists Open Studio Programmme, and talked to some artists about how the art pieces were made.

The programme is a major annual local art event, during which artists open their doors on two consecutive weekends in January, welcoming visitors to freely explore their workplace and learn about their art-making techniques.

They are also encouraged to talk to the artists in an approachable and open atmosphere, to share and exchange ideas. Artworks include painting, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, printmaking, installations, photographic and video works.

This year is the sixth of the annual event with 49 studios and 170 artists joining. Sixteen organised tours for students have been fully booked.

Mrs Yau praised this meaningful event which provides a platform for the younger generation to appreciate and participate in the arts, demonstrating the partnership among the arts sector, the enterprise and the Government.

"The Government, with the recent set-up of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, will continue to play its unique role in promoting culture and the arts in Hong Kong," Mrs Yau said.