Local museums to offer free admission in support of International Museum Day

     In support of International Museum Day (IMD), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold International Museum Day 2018, Hong Kong (IMD 2018, HK) on May 12 and 13 (Saturday and Sunday). On these dates, a total of 40 cultural institutions including some museums and cultural venues under the LCSD as well as other local cultural institutions will offer free admission to the public. A wide range of educational and entertainment programmes will also be held.
 
     The IMD theme this year is "Hyperconnected Museums: New Approaches, New Publics", suggesting that as museums strive to maintain their relevance in society, they also need to make an effort to organise interactive projects with the local community and different social groups to engage new audiences and strengthen connections with them.
     
     During IMD 2018, HK, the 40 participating local cultural institutions will offer free admission to the public, except for thematic exhibitions and fee-charging programmes. The institutions include 20 LCSD museums and cultural venues, as well as the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, the Tung Wah Museum, the Po Leung Kuk Museum, the University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong, the Stephen Hui Geological Museum of the University of Hong Kong, the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the CUHK Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, the Dr & Mrs Hung Hin Shiu Museum of Chinese Medicine of the Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong Museum of Education of the Education University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Racing Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum, the Heritage of Mei Ho House, the City Gallery, the AFCD Lions Nature Education Centre, the Tao Heung Museum of Food Culture, the Jao Tsung-I Academy, the Police Museum and the HKDI Gallery.
 
     As the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Tung Wah Museum are closed for renovation, associated programmes will be held at other locations. The CUHK Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change will be closed on May 13 but open on May 12.
 
     For details of IMD 2018, HK, please visit the website of Hong Kong Public Museums at www.museums.gov.hk/en_US/web/portal/imd2018.html.
 
     The LCSD has held Hong Kong events annually in support of IMD since 2001. The International Council of Museums designated May 18 as IMD in 1977 to raise public awareness of the important role that museums play in society.