Good Foundations

Being Neighbourly x Lindsey McAlister, OBE, Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation

Author/ Being Neighbourly
10 October 2025

To newcomers to Hong Kong, Lindsey McAlister, OBE is known for her art and support of the visual arts through the Collaborative Creatives group she co-founded with fellow artist Nance Lokos. Her digital art prints are stocked by Bookazine and she runs Lindsey McAlister Fine Art, a growing portfolio of usually large-scale mixed-media mediations on canvas: bold hued, their surfaces contain interesting paradoxes reflected in their ethereal strokes on the one hand and their punk energy on their other.

Those who have been in Hong Kong for longer, particularly those with children or working with them, will know more of the McAlister story —that she founded the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, “YAF” as she calls it, in the early 1990s. YAF is a big deal to a lot of people with plenty of feathers in its headwear: launching the first youth arts festival in Hong Kong, international performances, citywide public art projects, and annually engaging over 800,000 young people through inspirational programmes. It’s been a force since its 1993 founding —more than 30 years ago.

HKYAF is dedicated to making high-quality, free arts experiences accessible to every young person in Hong Kong, and, this part of their value proposition is truly interesting, regardless of background or ability, focusing on creativity, self-expression and inclusion. It wouldn’t be a stretch to call it mental health provision —through the arts.

“Ask any participant, and the story is often the same—a new sense of purpose, creativity and belonging. One performer said, ‘It was the first time I felt good about myself. I began to believe in myself. I found a new space to express my inner feelings, no one judged me and I was treated as a friend’. These stories are repeated in every project, from major street art exhibitions to local school workshops,” shares McAlister.

For her, the motivation behind HKYAF is personal. She is both the mentor who made all the difference to her as a youngster, as much as she is the child to whom encouragement can be transformative.

“Being positive and supportive towards young people and emerging artists is absolutely vital because it gives them the confidence to take creative risks, try new things and truly believe in themselves—even when they’re just starting out or feeling unsure,” she says, underlining that when a young artist knows someone is in their corner, they’re far more likely to step out of their comfort zone, push boundaries and grow into their authentic selves.

“I never want a young person to feel alone or dismissed on their journey. That encouragement can help them turn setbacks into learning, ignite imagination, and, most importantly, create a sense of belonging and possibility that sparks lifelong creativity,” she adds.

Since the founding of HKYAF in the early 1990s, the Hong Kong arts scene has changed dramatically. McAlister draws a contrast between the traditional arts scene of yesteryear and its, “limited access for young people, and few platforms celebrating youth creativity—most arts opportunities were competitive or ticketed and arts education wasn’t widely prioritised,” to today’s “vibrant cultural hub” with, “world-class museums like M+ and the Palace Museum, global art fairs, and a thriving community of local artists, performers, and youth programmes, thanks, in part, to HKYAF’s hands-on, inclusive approach”.

Like its location, HKYAF has also undergone growth: a major spurt being in 2006 with a name change marking its evolution into a Foundation and signifying its development from a single arts festival into a larger, more sustainable organisation with year-round programming and far greater reach across visual and performing arts.

The charity’s long-term funding relationships are key in its stability and sustainability, says McAlister, while active efforts are made to nurture new artistic leaders and alumni who stay connected and bring fresh ideas back into the fold, essentially ensuring that the organisation keeps adding real value to the cultural lives of Hong Kongers into the future.”

“Today in Hong Kong”, says McAlister, “the arts are recognised as central to both education and city life, with many more free, non-competitive and accessible opportunities for young people, plus a massive growth in diversity of styles and mediums—showing how far Hong Kong has journeyed from its earlier days to become a leading regional arts powerhouse.”

However, for all of the positivity, McAlister admits that the issues that have long blighted the lives of artists remain: “the living costs that can feel like a brick wall for young artists starting out”, and, peering into her crystal ball, she predicts that Hong Kong’s arts scene will remain dynamic, “with incredible highs from innovative museums, global art fairs and young creatives, but also challenges around funding and shifting priorities.

According to her, we can expect more east-meets-west collaborations, greater use of art-tech, and a real push to make arts part of daily life for everyone, not just an elite few. She says that while resource competition will intensify, the next decade promises resilience and creativity, fuelled by passionate artists, community engagement and Hong Kong’s uniquely bold cultural spirit.

“The arts have never been about luxury—they’re about grit, imagination and community. When I was starting HKYAF, we built everything from the ground up, often with borrowed spaces and donated time. That spirit still holds true. Get involved, volunteer, collaborate—doors open when you show up with energy and curiosity. And don’t underestimate the power of your peers; some of the most exciting projects I’ve seen came from young creatives pooling resources and skills,” she inspires.

“Knowing that HKYAF gives so many youngsters opportunities—in a city bursting with pressure and expectation—fills me with hope and joy. It’s never just about the performance or the final artwork; it’s the journey, the unexpected discoveries, and the lifelong encouragement that ripple far beyond the studio or theatre.”

Tickets for LIKES & LIES, written and directed by Lindsey McAlister are on sale now.

What is the best thing about the work that you do?

“The best thing about the work I do is witnessing first-hand the transformation that happens when young people feel seen, trusted and free to express themselves creatively,” says Lindsey McAlister, OBE, Founder of HKYAF.

“There’s an electricity in the room during a rehearsal, workshop, or exhibition—watching a shy teenager step onto stage, a group of students collaborate on a mural, or someone who thought they “weren’t arty” proudly reveal their creation. Each moment reminds me why the arts matter: they nurture confidence, spark friendships and unlock voices that might otherwise go unheard.”

Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation
Unit B, 7/F, Cheung Wah Industrial Building, 10 – 12 Shipyard Ln, Quarry Bay.