It’s an institution where students from every possible background, ethnicity and age bracket learn to make art like a pro. Rebecca Lo reports on Hong Kong Art School’s 20th anniversary.

When Hong Kong architect Arthur Chan decided to pursue a master's degree in fine art, he discovered that his choice for schools in the city was limited. As he managed offices in Beijing and Hong Kong, Chan sought a flexible program that offered a good balance of studio and theory sessions. Hong Kong Art School met his needs.

"I also looked at City University (of Hong Kong) and the University of Hong Kong," recalls Chan. "CityU was too practical and HKU was too theoretical. I liked HKAS's program since it accommodated my frequent trips to Beijing. Every month or so, we had an intense workshop. That suited my schedule more than full-time studies."

He was undeterred by the higher tuition fee of HKAS — almost double compared to other schools he had considered. As the classes were small, he appreciated the personalized environment.

After completing his degree, Chan taught applied and installation arts at HKAS from 2008 to 2016.

"HKAS offers a hands-on, craftsmanship approach to art," he notes. "The school suits non-academic students, offering a different route for creative people. I encountered students who could not communicate well verbally. But their painting and drawing skills were very good. HKAS supplements Hong Kong's education system by helping those at the margins to find their path."