March is a highlight of Hong Kong’s cultural calendar. Last month, as I welcomed delegates to the International Cultural Summit during Art Week, many told me they had come to network with local and international collaborators and explore Hong Kong’s museums, galleries and performance venues.

Tens of thousands attended Art Basel, Art Central, gallery openings, performances and other events across the city. The month also buzzed with jazz, opera, classical concerts and other performances, with the Hong Kong Arts Festival alone presenting dozens of world‑class shows across music and theatre.

The scale of participation reflects how firmly the arts are embedded in Hong Kong’s economy and international reputation, highlighting the task of turning a packed March into a lasting, year-round impact.

Hong Kong has become a regular stop on the international arts circuit. During Art Week, a Thai delegation visited to promote the Bangkok Art Biennale and its Venice collateral event, The Spirits of Maritime Crossing 2026 – a sign of Hong Kong’s ability to connect Asia and the broader international community.

Much of this momentum stems from the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK). The opening of Xiqu Centre and Freespace in 2019 signalled a strong commitment to heritage and contemporary performance. M+ followed in 2021 and now ranks among the world’s most visited art museums. The Hong Kong Palace Museum opened in 2022, deepening links with the Palace Museum in Beijing while building international collaborations.

WestK is only one part of a wider cultural landscape. Institutions such as the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Asia Society, Para Site, Centre for Heritage Arts and Textile (Chat) and PMQ – together with a strong network of independent galleries – sustain year-round exhibitions and programmes.