The Next Act: Shaping the Future – Join Us at the AAPPAC 2026 Hong Kong Conference
The AAPPAC Annual Conference 2026, hosted by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, will be held from 6 – 9 Oct 2026 at Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District.
Marking an important milestone for the performing arts community across the Asia-Pacific, the Conference will convene cultural leaders, policymakers and practitioners to consider a central question: how can the performing arts help shape a brighter future in times of change?
Navigating a New Chapter
Under the theme The Next Act: Shaping the Future, the Conference responds to a fast-changing global landscape. Global economic pressures, shifting political landscapes and evolving audience expectations are reshaping how the performing arts are produced, experienced and sustained.
At this pivotal moment, AAPPAC 2026 Hong Kong Conference (The Conference) provides a platform for dialogue and exchange, inviting participants to explore how resilience, innovation and purpose can drive the sector forward. The programme brings together diverse perspectives from across the region and beyond, offering insights, strategies and forward-looking ideas to help define the next era of performing arts.
From Challenge to Opportunity
The Conference opens with From Survival to Strategy: Economic and Funding Pressures and Future Pathways for Performing Arts in the Asia-Pacific, a session addressing the financial and structural pressures confronting performing arts institutions today. As organisations navigate tightening resources and changing policy contexts, discussions will centre on moving beyond survival towards growth and strategic development.
Speakers will examine how funding models, governance frameworks, strategic partnerships and leadership can work together to build strong cultural ecosystems. The session also considers how constraints can be reframed as opportunities, supporting both immediate needs and long-term value creation.
Innovation in a Tech-Driven World
Technology continues to transform cultural creation and participation. In Disrupt or Disappear? How Live Arts Innovate in the Tech Turn, experts from creative, digital and policy sectors will explore how live arts can adapt to technological change while retaining their distinctive character and authenticity.
From immersive experiences to hybrid formats, the session looks at how digital tools can broaden audience reach and deepen engagement, while also addressing the challenge of preserving authenticity, human connection and artistic identity in an increasingly digital environment.
Rethinking Programming and Creative Practice
As cultural contexts grow more diverse and interconnected, programming must also evolve. Programming the Future: New Approaches brings together artists, producers and curators to share bold and innovative approaches to audience engagement.
Discussions will explore how programming can amplify diverse voices, support inclusive storytelling and challenge conventional formats. Rather than simply reflecting trends, programming is positioned as a catalyst for transformation—shaping creative output, community connection and cultural impact.
Celebrating 30 Years of Connection
A key highlight of the Conference will be the fourth panel discussion The Future of Performing Arts Centres (with a look-back on 30 years of AAPPAC), which also celebrates AAPPAC’s 30th anniversary. This milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on three decades of regional collaboration while looking ahead to future directions.
Experienced leaders will share perspectives on how performing arts centres have responded to shifts in artistic practice, audience behaviour and global conditions, and discuss how AAPPAC can continue to strengthen regional connectivity and leadership in the years to come.
AAPPAC Conference Breakout Session
AAPPAC Conference Breakout Session
Deep-Dive Exchanges: Breakout Sessions
Complementing the main programme is a series of breakout sessions with the theme of “Future of Performing Arts Collaboration, Inclusion and Sustainability”, to facilitate discussion on the essential pillars for the sector’s future.
- Build for the Future: The Challenge of New Build vs Refurbishment explores the considerations of new construction versus refurbishment, drawing on the WestK Performing Arts Centre project to offer practical insights into design, flexibility and sustainability.
- Programme for the Future: Inclusive and Sustainable examines how curatorial strategies can balance artistic excellence with social relevance, with a focus on community engagement and cross-sector collaboration.
- Cross-Border Collaborations: Case Studies presents real-world examples of co-productions, touring and regional exchange, highlighting practical approaches to building meaningful and sustainable international partnerships.
Photo credit: Carmen So (Image courtesy of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority)
Showcases and Networking Opportunities
The 2026 Conference will present a curated lineup of local showcases meticulously selected by WestK Performing Arts, spanning physical theatre, contemporary dance and interdisciplinary practice. These works highlight how local artists reinterpret tradition, push artistic boundaries and articulate Hong Kong’s distinctive voice within the broader Asia-Pacific landscape.
Complementing the artistic programme, the Conference will introduce new networking initiatives designed to foster professional and business exchange, including:
- Coffee Social, a pre-registered session featuring small, themed discussion tables that encourage intimate, participant-driven conversations, and;
- 10 Minute Mixer, a structured matchmaking format of short discussion rounds that enable efficient connections across disciplines, regions and institutions.
WestK Performing Arts Centre
Delegate Privileges
- Networking opportunities with industry leaders and peers
A dynamic platform to share ideas, explore innovative practices and build meaningful partnerships within the global performing arts community through cross-disciplinary and cross-border exchange.
- Access to special preview to WestK PAC
Exclusive access to curated experiences, including a special preview of the upcoming WestK Performing Arts Centre (WestK PAC)—the District’s flagship venue opening in 2027.
- Exclusive bundle discount to AAPPAC Annual Conference and HKPAX
Taking place immediately after the Conference from 9 – 13 Oct 2026, WestK and Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX) jointly offer a 10% discount available for participants attending both events.
- Enjoy Special Hotel Accommodation Rates
We have partnered with a range of hotels offering discounted rates to meet the diverse needs of delegates. Book early here to enjoy exclusive early bird offers and secure the best value while availability lasts.
- Exclusive Performing Arts Programme Experience
Enjoy specially curated performing arts programmes presented by WestK.
Image courtesy of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Please join us at the AAPPAC Hong Kong Conference 2026 this October to rethink the role of performing arts institutions, discover new ways to advance artistic excellence, and contribute to social cohesion, cultural exchange and sustainable development.
For programme and ticketing details, please refer to the Conference website:
https://www.westk.hk/en/aappac2026