It advises the government on cultural policy for Hong Kong and allocates grants, undertakes advocacy, promotion and development, and plans programmes, in support of the arts.

[1] The administration of the HKADC is overseen by its (up to) 27 members, who are appointed by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.

[4][5] The Council receives annual funding of HK$87 million from the Home Affairs Bureau.

[15] HKADC member Kenneth Fok said that the funding was withdrawn to "reduce the risk of potentially breaching" the national security law.

The HKADC produces a regular newsletter of arts news, called ArtNews, every 3–4 months.