The Arts Development Council on Tuesday said the government has granted it around HK$98 million to nurture talent through two programmes in the next two years.

The council's chairman, Kenneth Fok, said the city needs more talent in the arts and culture sector, as it strives to become a hub of cultural exchange.

HK$77 million of the funds will be used to subsidise art organisations in offering 210 internships lasting a year for those who graduated in the past three years.

As well as performers, people specialising in art administration or production can also apply for the Arts Talents Internship Matching Programme.

The council's chief executive, Winsome Chow, said 40 organisations have expressed an interest in hiring interns under the scheme.

Participating organisations will be given HK$16,400 a month for each intern they recruit.

Fok said he hopes the programme will make it easier for those interested in a career in creative industries to break into the field.

"Unlike industries that have clear paths for people to join, many who work in the art and culture sector told me they were led into the industry through veterans," he said. "So our aim is for the Arts Development Council to take on a role of matchmaking, and introduce more young people who intend to join the sector to various art bodies."

The council has been allocated HK$20 million to financially support 200 art projects.

It said it hopes the Emerging Artists Development Grant will help young artists who graduated in the last five years, and who have never received subsidies from the authorities, get their careers started.