The West Kowloon Cultural district project is expected to create demand for artists with marketing skills. To address this expected demand, Baptist University offers a master of visual arts in art administration. The programme's aim is to train professionals who are looking to bridge the gap between art and business.

The professional training course, which is run by the university's academy of visual arts, is designed to develop students into administrative practitioners who will be able to provide intermediate services for visual artists and the creative industries. It is a comprehensive study in visual culture, with an emphasis on business knowledge and administrative procedures of the creative industries.

"As the art market in both Hong Kong and the mainland is booming, with various exhibitions and auctions, the job prospects of graduates are extremely bright," says Dr Daniel Lau Chak-kwong, the programme's director. "Graduates can take up administrative positions in the arts related fields, or become `agent' entrepreneurs."

He says only a few local artists are able to make a living solely on creative work and it is important to acquire knowledge in art administration so they will able to become art dealers or host exhibitions.

Applicants should possess a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or comparable institution and an advanced level of English proficiency, with a score of 7 or above in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Knowledge of art is not required. Applicants will be interviewed to assess their suitability.

Students are able to study on a full-time basis over one year or part-time over two years. To accommodate part-time students who also work, classes are held on weekday evenings and weekends.