When they were good they were very good - 2013 arts in review

Fears of political and self censorship cast a dark cloud over the local arts scene this year, with the Hong Kong Ballet controversially removing a politically sensitive scene from its production of The Dream of the Red Chamber.

It was reported the government-subsidised dance company cut a 12-minute sequence that featured performers in Red Guard uniforms waving copies of Mao Zedong's "Little Red Book", a reference to the Cultural Revolution, from the show. It remains unclear whether the edit was the troupe's own decision or a result of pressure from mainland officials, but after a media frenzy the segment was reinstated for the November performances.

But it hasn't been all doom and gloom. The West Kowloon Cultural District continues to make progress, with its planned museum M+ identifying architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron to design its building, its curatorial team more or less in place and more works being acquired for its collection. Its empty site has also been put to great use this year, hosting major arts and music events such as Clockenflap, Blohk Party and Freespace Fest.

In October, a number of "more liberal" sectorial representatives were successfully voted to the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, including Mui Cheuk-yin for dance, Ribble Chung Siu-mui for arts administration, Lo Wai-luk for arts criticism and Ng Mei-kwan for literary arts. Their appointments are likely to shake up the local cultural sector in 2014.

Meanwhile, our reviewers look back on the hits - and misses - that shaped our arts scene this year.