Gov’t sets aside MOP300,000 to nurture local comedians

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) has unveiled a youth performing arts talent training program featuring a budget of approximately MOP300,000, which follows a comprehensive “training-performance-contract” model to support participants in their artistic development.

During a press conference held yesterday at the Macau Cultural Center, authorities announced a new initiative aimed at fostering youth development in the performing arts. They believe this program will help optimize Macau’s cultural industry structure and generate new momentum for the long-term development of the region as a “City of Performing Arts.”

Deland Leong, president of the IC, emphasized the importance of this initiative in her speech, stating, “This program uniquely leverages the commercial networks and market-oriented strengths of major enterprises to better integrate Macau’s industry into the performing arts market’s industrial chain. It provides practical opportunities and career pathways for young performing artists in Macau.” She also said that the program is a crucial measure by the government to promote industrial diversification and a tangible step toward deepening cultural cooperation between Macau and Hengqin.

This program is a collaborative effort between the IC, the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), and the mainland performing arts company Mahua Funage. It is structured in two phases: the “foundational performance class” with an enrollment capacity of 80 participants and the “core performance class” with 30 participants.

Tuition fees are set at MOP1,000 for the first phase and MOP5,000 for the second phase. Participants who complete either phase and meet the criteria will be eligible for a tuition refund. The first phase begins on January 3 next year, lasting four days with a total of 24 class hours. The second phase will take place from January 17 to April 26, held every Saturday and Sunday, totaling 144 hours of instruction.

Eligible applicants include Macau residents aged 18 and above, as well as non-local students currently enrolled in higher education institutions in Macau.

When asked about the program’s impact on cultivating future local performing arts talent and the integration of more Cantonese elements into non-Cantonese-speaking regions, the president responded, “This is one of our plan’s objectives. Exchange with the mainland market will promote the fusion of diverse cultures, and different languages can bring humor with their own unique characteristics.”

It was noted that the mainland performing arts company aims to broaden its comedy audience and has already undertaken Mandarin and Cantonese adaptations in Macau. Additionally, plans are in place for a tour of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) to cater to diverse audience preferences.