The Hong Kong Palace Museum’s Chinese Object Study Training Programme, sponsored by the Susan Chen Foundation, aims at training the next generation of Chinese art specialists. Each week-long workshop will invite five leading experts from universities and museums in China and overseas, who will work with ten graduate trainees on museum’s collection in an immersive and intimate museum setting.
The inaugural workshop in 2025 will focus on the Museum’s world-class Mengdiexuan Collection of Chinese ancient gold, which offers unparalleled opportunities for students to study the stunning objects up close. Topics to be explored include the history of Chinese gold art, gold-working techniques, museum conservation and collection care, conservation science among other topics.
The inaugural workshop will be held from 27 July 2025 to 3 August 2025. The call for applications is now open and the application deadline is 6 May 2025 (Tuesday).
Please submit your application via email. For details, please refer to “How to Apply” section in programme details below.
Lead Sponsor:
Programme details
| Period |
27 July 2025 (Sunday)–3 August 2025 (Sunday) |
| Target Audience and Eligibility |
- Graduate students currently studying in Hong Kong, the Mainland, Macau and Taiwan
- Major in art history, history, archaeology, conservation, museum studies or other relevant fields
- Must possess professional knowledge of Chinese object study (especially ancient Chinese gold objects or accessories) and passionate in cultural, museum and education industry, along with excellent communication and writing skills
- The workshop will recruit 10 students
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| Training Focus and Format |
- The week-long workshop focus on “The history, craftmanship, and conservation of ancient Chinese gold”
- The training will be led by experts from universities and museums around the world, who will work with graduate trainees on a group of objects in an immersive and intimate museum setting. Students will have the opportunities to exchange ideas with museum curators, scholars and conservators
- The masterclass-style training will be through workshops, discussion and object study to help students develop critical skills for object handling and in-depth knowledge on conservation and collection of ancient Chinese gold
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| Language |
Putonghua and English |
| Requirements |
- Students are required to attend all the activities of the Programme
- Students are required to share the learning outcomes with the public during or after the completion of the Programme, including (but not limited to) through public presentation or showcase, talks, development of learning resources, etc.
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| Selection |
The Selection Committee, composed of experts, will review the applications and select student participants for the workshop.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified of the interview details by email.
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| Selection Criteria |
- Possess professional knowledge of Chinese object study (especially ancient Chinese gold objects or accessories) and research skills
- Passionate in cultural, museum and education industry
- Possess strong communication and writing skills
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| Stipend |
The selected students studying outside Hong Kong will be provided with travel expenses between Hong Kong and their place of study (flight tickets in economy class or train tickets in second class) and accommodation related to the Programme.
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| How to apply |
Application deadline: 6 May 2025 (Tuesday)
Applicants are required to submit the application form with all of the following materials as a PDF attachment (file size does not exceed 10 MB) to [email protected] in one email by the application deadline:
- A personal statement (1,000 words in Chinese): Briefly describe the reasons and expectations for participating in the workshop, as well as the professional knowledge and experience related to the topic of “The history, craftmanship, and conservation of ancient Chinese gold”.
- Curriculum vitae (within 3 pages) detailing education, internship or work experience, honours and awards received, and participation in relevant training programme(s).
- An academic essay related to Chinese object study or the topic of the workshop (2,000 words or above in Chinese) or published paper/works. (Note: For publication submissions, please scan the entire book / paper including cover, back cover, table of contents, and copyright page, and send them as a PDF attachment together with other application materials via email.)
- Academic transcripts and study proof issued by current university
- A reference letter from professor of current university, who is currently teaching or has previously taught the applicant. Please provide professor’s name, title, organisation and contact details.
Download application form
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| Handling of Application Materials and Copyright |
To facilitate the assessment of applications, the applicant agrees to authorise the HKPM to duplicate and distribute application documents to members of the Selection Committee for reference. The applicant also agrees to authorise the HKPM to possess, process and archive the application documents submitted.
Applicants should ensure that permissions from copyright owners are sought if the copyright of documents / information submitted are owned by other persons / organisations (including written, verbal, graphic / image production or any other format). Applicants shall be personally liable in all respects for all consequences of breach of copyright.
All materials submitted for application will be kept by the HKPM for record purposes and will not be returned to the applicants. All submitted information will be kept for up to 12 months and all personal data related to unsuccessful applications will be destroyed three months after the close of application. |
| Personal Information Collection Statement (“PICS”) |
This PICS should be read together with the Application Guidelines and the application terms and conditions stated herein. All personal data provided by the applicants will be used for the purposes of processing their application for the Programme, the conduct of the Programme, and if applicable, communication on the selection of students. Such personal data will be handled in accordance with HKPM's Privacy Policy (https://www.hkpm.org.hk/en/privacy-policy). HKPM will not transfer or disclose any applicant’s personal data/information collected to any third parties, except when the disclosure is necessary to the following parties for the specified purposes: (i) sponsoring or supporting institutions, or programme partners who jointly organize the Programme with the HKPM; (ii) data processing agents or other service providers (whether within or outside Hong Kong SAR) who provide administrative, telecommunication, computer or payment services to HKPM and have undertaken to keep the applicants’ personal data/information confidential; (iii) Government Departments and Bureaux and the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which may have an interest or right in overseeing West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and its subsidiaries (including but not limited to HKPM); and (iv) any other entities authorized to receive such personal data/information for the purposes of law enforcement, prosecution, or review of determinations, or in circumstances where disclosure is required or permitted by law. If insufficient or inaccurate data is provided by the applicant, the relevant application may not be considered in the Programme and/or the applicant may not be selected as a student of the Programme. Any applicants shall have the right to request access to and correct their personal data held by HKPM. Such request should be made in writing to the Data Protection Officer via email at [email protected] or by post/ in person to the address: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, 9/F., WKCDA Tower, West Kowloon Cultural District, No. 8 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong. |
| Enquiries |
Email: [email protected] |
Disclaimer: HKPM reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to (i) withhold the granting of any students, (ii) amend / supplement the Application Guidelines, and (iii) cancel invitations for proposals at any time without further notice. HKPM will not be liable for any loss or expenses that may be incurred by the applicants in such circumstances.
About the Susan Chen Foundation
The Susan Chen Foundation is a Hong Kong-based charity that aims to bring the wonder of Chinese Art to the Hong Kong community and further afield, and to support education, research, innovation and careers in the world of Chinese art and art history, thereby also supporting Hong Kong’s position as a major cultural hub. The Foundation also seeks to help disadvantaged Hong Kong youngsters in their upbringing and studies, including supporting child welfare initiatives. Established in 2022, the Foundation pursues its mission through partnerships with leading organisations in related fields in Hong Kong. Through its mission, the Foundation seeks to perpetuate the cultural interest and philanthropic objectives demonstrated quietly by the much loved and respected art dealer Susan Chen during her life.
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum’s Mengdiexuan Collection
Betty Lo and Kenneth Chu, owners of the Mengdiexuan Collection, donated to the Hong Kong Palace Museum a total of nearly 1,400 ancient Chinese gold and silver ornaments in 2022 and 2024. Spanning over 3,000 years, from the Shang dynasty to the Ming dynasty, their donations include personal ornaments of the nobility, and adornments for horses and chariots. The highly significant and generous donations from the Mengdiexuan Collection are the largest group of donations received by the Museum since its establishment.
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