HKAS currently offers mainly higher diplomas and bachelor degrees. It has a cohort of 30 students. Most of them major in painting or sculpture, with about 70 percent of higher diploma students fresh out of high school and roughly equal numbers of mature and young students seeking bachelor degrees.

"A few of our mature students revealed that they learned how to talk to their children through the cross-generation interaction at the school," Lam smiles. "Younger students have a completely different skill set: We see them help mature students with technology, for example. The unexpected cross-generational sharing is organic and wonderful."

Retirees, lawyers and expats

HKAC provides support to HKAS while inspiring the school's direction. The two work hand in hand to build new audiences, as HKAC positions itself as a place that welcomes beginners to art. HKAS's student body reflects HKAC's "art for all" concept. Students from previous years include retirees, lawyers and models. The majority come from Hong Kong, while there are a few expats from Australia, Japan and Germany studying part-time while being employed full-time.

"What happens at HKAC influences our school," states Chan. "As an art school in the heart of the city, we are very agile. Aside from our certificate programs, we offer short courses geared towards practicing artists who want to upgrade their skills. Previously, our curriculum was more crafts-oriented. Today, we give different professors leeway to introduce skills and theoretical knowledge."

The synergy between HKAC and HKAS is reflected in the numerous collaborations between the two institutions. The design of HKAC's tote bag, postcard and folder souvenir collaterals were commissioned to a former student. HKAC helps students secure internships and collaborations with the likes of Louis Vuitton. Designs by HKAS grads Wenda Yiu Tung-wing and Cherry Liu Tsz-yi were printed on LV trunks for an exhibition in fall 2020.

HKAC sent ceramic artist Karen Ma to study for a month at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 2019. Its grads participate regularly in a number of art outreach activities: Lit Wing-hung and Chung Siu-fung taught cheongsam making and paper cutting techniques through Jockey Club ICH+ Innovative Heritage Education Programme in 2018-19.

Alumni achievements

HKAS has produced graduates with unique Hong Kong visions. Since graduating in 2006, HKAS alumni Firenze Lai has shown at Para Site and Tai Kwun Contemporary. She participated in biennales in Shanghai and Venice. Meanwhile, fellow 2006 painting grad Lulu Ngie has made a name for herself through shows at Art Basel Hong Kong and in galleries in Los Angeles and Jakarta.

"We have a lot of women studying at HKAS, yet galleries still show works mostly by male artists," comments Lam. "HKAS produces more recognized female artists."