From Auctions to Collection - Hong Kong as a Global Art Market Hub | PolyU SPEED

Continuing Education Courses

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From Auctions to Collection - Hong Kong as a Global Art Market Hub

Class Code

HA8Y

Collaboration Partner

Art Prince Advisory

Medium of Instruction

Cantonese (Supplement with English)

Duration & Contact Hours

6 hours

Class Start Date

17 Oct 2026

Course Fee

HK$3,000 (Early Bird: HK$2,400, Apply on or before 17 Sep 2026)

Class Dates

17 October 2026 (Saturday)

Class Time

10 am - 5 pm

Class Venue

PolyU Main Campus/ Hung Hom Bay Campus/ PolyU West Kowloon Campus

Application Status

Open

Application Deadline

30 September 2026

Course Information

The training courses comprise key major areas on international art market.  It is designed to cover the latest practices and techniques in the field of art market. It is tailored to meet the needs of art enthusiasts, aspiring collectors and professionals in finance who are looking for alternative investment opportunities. 

Course Content

Topic 
1

What Makes Hong Kong One of the Leading Art Markets in the World 

This introductory module explores Hong Kong's evolution into a global art hub, emphasizing its strategic advantages and cultural ecosystem. 

 

Key Topics: 

  • Strategic location as a gateway to Asia, particularly mainland China and emerging markets. 

  • Tax and regulatory benefits: Zero import/export duties on art, no sales tax, and free port status facilitating international trade. 

  • Institutional growth: Role of major museums like M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum in building cultural infrastructure. 

  • Market dynamics: Art Basel Hong Kong, a diverse collector base (including high-net-worth individuals from Asia), and record-breaking auction turnover growth. 

  • Global orientation: Blend of Eastern and Western art, with strong demand for international works alongside domestic artists.

2Major Auction Houses in Hong Kong and Their Selling Points

Overview of key auction houses operating in Hong Kong, focusing on their histories, specialties, and competitive edges. 

 

Key Topics: 

  • Christie's Hong Kong   
  • Sotheby's Hong Kong 
  • Phillips Hong Kong 
  • Bonhams Hong Kong:  
  • Poly Auction Hong Kong 
  • China Guardian 
3Major Galleries in Hong Kong and Their Selling Points

Examination of prominent galleries, highlighting their contributions to the local and international scene. 

 

Key Topics: 

  • Gagosian  
  • Pace Gallery 
  • Hauser & Wirth 
  • White Cube 
  • David Zwirner 
  • Pearl Lam Galleries 
  • Axel Vervoordt Gallery 
  • Blindspot Gallery  
  • Gallery Exit  
  • Contemporary by Angela Li 
4Art Market Trend - Top 10 Auction Records in the Last 10 Years

Analysis of landmark sales in Hong Kong, illustrating market trends and high-value artists. 

 

Key Topics: 

  • Zao Wou-Ki  

  • Chu Teh-Chun 

  • Wu Guanzhong  

  • Lalan 

5How to Appreciate and Evaluate Art

Practical guidance on assessing art beyond aesthetics. 

 

Key Topics: 

  • Appreciation: Understanding context (historical, cultural), techniques, and emotional impact; tips like visiting exhibitions and reading artist bios. 

  • Evaluation: Factors including provenance (ownership history), condition, authenticity (certificates, expert opinions), market comparables, and rarity. 

  • Tools: Use of databases (e.g., Artprice), appraisals, and expert consultations. 

  • Hong Kong perspective: Leveraging local resources like auction previews for hands-on evaluation. 

6Do's and Don'ts Before Starting Your Own Art Collection

Final module on building a personal collection wisely. 

 

Key Topics: 

  • Do's: Set a budget and goals; research thoroughly (artists, trends); buy what you love; seek advice from reputable sources; document purchases (provenance); consider insurance and storage; diversify across mediums/styles. 

  • Don'ts: Rush into purchases; ignore due diligence (fakes are common); chase trends solely for investment; overlook taxes/fees; store improperly (e.g., humidity control in HK's climate); borrow excessively for art. 

  • Hong Kong tips: Attend local fairs/auctions for entry-level buys; use free port advantages for international acquisitions

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course with a attendance rate of 100%, participants will be awarded a Certificate of Attendacne from PolyU SPEED. 

Application Procedures

1.  Application form can be downloaded from this website.  Before completing the application form, please read carefully the "Guide for Applicants" on the form.

 

2.  Please submit one application form and settle the course fee by bank draft/ crossed cheque/ On-line Card Payment System for each course applied. For details of payment methods, please refer to Section 4 of the application form or this web page.

 

3.  Non-permanent residents of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) holding

(i) work visa/ entry permit; OR

(ii) visa/ entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) (except those from Mainland, Macao and Taiwan); OR

(iii) dependent visa/ entry permit (except those from Mainland, Macao and Taiwan), issued by the Director of Immigration of HKSAR Government may enroll in short-term courses in SPEED without seeking prior approval from the Director of Immigration.

 

These applicants are required to attach a copy of their identity document(s) and the valid visa/ entry permit to their application.  On admission, they will be required to provide the original identity document(s) and visa/ entry permit for verification. Throughout the course of study, it is the responsibility of individual students to ensure that their identity documents and visas/ entry permits are valid. Other non-local applicants can neither be registered as students nor commence their studies on the short-term courses in SPEED.

 

4.  Applications should be submitted on or before the deadline for application via one of the following means -

 

(a) By post:

Submit the completed application form, supporting documents (if applicable) and a copy of your valid visa/ entry permit (if applicable) together with the bank draft/ crossed cheque/ payment confirmation page (for online payment) to

 

CPCE Academic Registry - Continuing Education
Room N301, 3/F, North Tower, PolyU West Kowloon Campus,
9 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong

 

(b) By e-mail (for application with payment settled via online system only):

Submit the completed application form, supporting documents (if applicable) and a copy of your valid visa/ entry permit (if applicable) together with the payment confirmation page by e-mail to ce.car@speed-polyu.edu.hk

Payment Methods for Course Fee

Please choose either one of the following payment methods for course fee

 

(1)  Bank Draft/ Crossed Cheque

You could submit a bank draft/ crossed cheque (made payable to "The Hong Kong Polytechnic University") by post or by hand.  Please write your name, the course code and class code at the back of the bank draft/ crossed cheque.  Post-dated cheque will not be accepted.

 

(2)  On-line Card Payment System (by Visa/ Master/ China UnionPay card)
You could settle the course fee via On-line Card Payment System by Visa/ Master/ China UnionPay card.  For successful payment, please print the payment confirmation page for record and quote the invoice number (as shown on the payment confirmation page) on Section 4 of the application form. No separate hardcopy of the payment receipt will be issued for you.

 

According to the School's Refund Policy, course fees paid are normally not refundable, except cases of unsuccessful applications/ course cancellation.  Fees paid and places allocated are not transferrable.

Enquiries

Assistant Academic Affairs Officer

Ms Yuki Lai

3746 0733

General Enquiry:3746 0360
E-mail:ce.car@speed-polyu.edu.hk