Director

Professor Anna CY Chan is the Director of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. A visionary leader with an unparalleled combination of artistic excellence, extensive management experience, and a vast industry network, Professor Chan has dedicated 35 years to advancing the performing arts and arts education. Recognized for her transformative leadership and groundbreaking contributions, she has established a distinguished career that encompasses academia, arts administration, performance, production, and international collaboration. Among her many accolades are the Hong Kong Dance Award (2004, 2019, 2023), the City Contemporary Dance Laureate (2016), the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Hong Kong Dance Awards (2018), and the Leading Woman in Arts, Sports & Leisure at the 20th AmCham Women of Influence Awards (2024).

Leadership and Academic Excellence

Professor Chan has a proven track record of driving academic excellence and innovation. During her tenure as the Dean of the School of Dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) (2018 – 2024), she spearheaded transformative initiatives, including the establishment of a Dance Science Lab, a Dance and Technology Studio, and forward-looking undergraduate and postgraduate dance programmes tailored to meet the ever-evolving demands of the industry. Under her leadership, the school expanded its international presence through strategic partnerships with world-renowned institutions, dance companies, and festivals, producing award-winning projects that bridged innovation and social impact. One notable achievement was the Jockey Club DanceWell Project, which explored the impact of dance on individuals with Parkinson’s disease. This initiative exemplified Professor Chan’s commitment to integrating the arts, humanities, and sciences to foster inclusive communities where the performing arts serve as a driver of social change.
 

In her earlier roles at HKAPA, including Head of the Performing Arts Education Centre (2007 – 2014), Professor Chan played a pivotal role in developing innovative arts education projects such as secondary school curricula in dance, drama, and Cantonese opera under the Diploma of Secondary Education framework. Her leadership also extended to impactful community engagement initiatives like the HSBC smARTS Journey and the award-winning Bloomberg Performing Arts Marathon @ Sham Shui Po, which brought performing arts to underserved communities and empowered youth through creativity. Her contributions to curriculum reform, quality assurance, and HKAPA’s self-accreditation process elevated the institution’s academic standing as a leader in arts education.

Professor Chan’s influence extends beyond institutional leadership. She is a sought-after keynote speaker, presenter, and guest lecturer, having shared her expertise at international symposiums, cultural summits, festivals, and conferences across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Her scholarly writings are published by prestigious presses, including Routledge.

International Arts Leadership

Professor Chan’s impact on the global performing arts landscape is profound. As the inaugural Head of Dance at the Performing Arts at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (2014 – 2018), she played a central role in shaping the district’s artistic vision for dance while developing world-class cultural infrastructure. She launched a series of groundbreaking programmes, including Dance Dialogue with Wayne McGregor, Writing Choreographic Process, Dance x Multi-Media, Choreographer x Composer Lab, Dance in Alternative Space, Screendance, WE Dance, and Dramaturgy and Beyond, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and pushing the boundaries of dance as an art form. Through these efforts, she helped establish West Kowloon as a global hub for contemporary performance practices, elevating Hong Kong’s prominence in the international arts community.

Her leadership in fostering cross-cultural collaborations is exemplified by the Creative Meeting Point programme, which facilitated dynamic exchanges between Hong Kong and countries such as Finland, Australia, Spain, Italy and the UK. Additionally, her co-founding of the Asia Network for Dance (AND+) with 14 international partners connected dance communities both regionally and globally, solidifying her status as a unifying force in the performing arts.

Additionally, she made significant contributions to shaping the artistic vision and functionality of iconic performance venues such as Freespace and the Lyric Theatre Complex, which is the first dance residency centre for Hong Kong (now known as WestK Performing Arts Centre). Her efforts ensured that these venues were not only architecturally innovative but also attuned to the diverse needs of performers and audiences, solidifying their status as world-class cultural landmarks.

Her international influence is further highlighted through her roles on advisory boards and juries, including the American Dance Abroad Advisory Council, the Australian Keir Choreographic Award, and the Taishin Arts Award. Currently, she serves as President of the World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific (2024 – 2027), having previously held the position of Vice-President (East Asia) (2007 – 2017). Additionally, she has been an active member of the World Alliance for Arts Education since 2006 and has served as a Council Member of China’s Dancers’ Association since 2015.

In Hong Kong, Professor Chan has held key leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Hong Kong Dance Alliance (2006 – 2011), arts advisor to the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (since 2008), and co-opted member of the Performing Arts Committee of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (since 2021). She was recently appointed Chairwoman of the Tai Kwun Culture and Arts Programme Committee and Director of the Board of Tai Kwun Culture and Arts Company Limited (2024). Her efforts have consistently enhanced the visibility and accessibility of the arts in Hong Kong, inspiring future generations of artists and audiences.

Academic and Artistic Foundations

Professor Chan began her artistic journey as a professional dancer, receiving training in Hong Kong, Australia, and the UK. She holds a Professional Dancer Diploma from the Royal Ballet School in London and an MA in Dance Studies from the University of Surrey, along with an M.Ed from the University of Sheffield. Her leadership credentials are further strengthened by completing the Advanced Cultural Leadership Programme at the University of Hong Kong, in partnership with the Clore Leadership Programme, and the Oxford Senior Executive Leadership Programme at the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

Recognized for her dual expertise as a scholar and practitioner, Professor Chan was appointed Professor at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Visiting Professor at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing in 2020. Her lifelong dedication to advancing the performing arts and arts education continues to shape the cultural landscape and inspire the next generation of artists and educators worldwide.