With the rapid development of cultural industries and building of numerous cultural facilities in Hong Kong and the region, high-level management expertise and insights on how to improve cultural software are specially needed. Demand for quality arts /cultural management training programmes which cater to the special needs of Hong Kong and the region is unprecedented. Against this background the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region recently earmarked special funding to strengthen arts management training and Hong Kong is poised to become a regional centre for arts management training and professional development. The successful presentation of the annual Cultural Leadership Summit in Hong Kong in the last few years is a milestone.

It is a pity that none of the existing post-graduate arts management training programmes in Hong Kong (and few in the region) is targeted at experienced in-service arts managers. The EMA(AME) programme is thus specially designed to cater for the needs of experienced in-service arts/ cultural managers from Hong Kong and the region. Building on the prior management experiences of participants, the programme aims to integrate theories and practices of arts management, arts education and entrepreneurship. Through a student-centered learning and self-reflection approach, students are guided to make substantial advancement on their professional outlook and personal development. It is believed that graduates of this programme will be well equipped to become second-tier cultural leaders in Hong Kong and the region.