Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre
When you step into the complex, you will see hints of its history as a factory estate, as it housed many cottage industries around half a decade ago. During the 1950s and 1960s was when Hong Kong’s economy started to gain traction, flourishing as a factory industry, mainly producing plastic flowers, toys, batteries, clothing and watches in little rooms in the factory estate. This was how most of Hong Kong was before the transformation of it into an economical and financial hub after factory owners moved their businesses to Mainland China, where land and labour were both cheaper. The Shek Kip Mei Factory Estate quickly fell into disuse, and was vacated by its owners.
Four years later, the government decided that the Shek Kip Mei Factory Estate should be developed into a creative arts centre, and began renovation and reconstruction works on the building in co-operation with the Jockey Club and Baptist University. In September 2008, the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre was officially opened as a multi-disciplinary arts centre to help nurture young artistic talents, and also to promote the local arts and culture. It is the perfect place for artists to develop their creative work and mind, as less and less space is available for artists to sustain their work because of the increasing rent as a result of the scarcity of space in the city.
The environment of the JCCAC is very relaxing, and is open to the public to experience local art and culture. You may even see some elderly women and men sitting on the chairs in the atrium, reminiscing the old days in the factory.
Address - 30 Pak Tin Street, Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How To Get There: MTR Shek Kip Mei Exit C