FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


What is Hawaiʻi Contemporary artXchange?

artXchange is a multi-dimensional fundraiser to benefit Hawai‘i Contemporary. The inaugural fundraiser features:

  • Art Auction presenting a selection of works by notable visual artists who support Hawai‘i Contemporary and our mission. The Art Auction comprises more than 50 artworks (in a range of mediums, sizes, and prices), a variety of art experiences, and need-specific funding opportunities. The online Art Auction goes live May 12–28, 2023.

  • Public Viewing of all Art Auction artworks, along with a complementary suite of Public Programming, will be open and free to the public at Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikīkī, May 21–28, 2023.

  • Young Contemporaries, a student exhibition and art sale, featuring the work of high school juniors and seniors of Hawai‘i, providing aspiring artists with valuable professional development and exhibition opportunities, at Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikīkī, May 21–28, 2023.

  • Benefit Experience, a special, ticketed event featuring an immersive dining and contemporary art experience at Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikīkī, May 20, 2023.

Who benefits from the proceeds of artXchange?

  • Art sales benefit the respective artists and Hawaiʻi Contemporary, a not-for-profit 501c3 organization.

  • All other funds raised during artXchange support Hawaiʻi Contemporary’s year-round work, including public programming, professional development, and our signature initiatives: Art Summit and Hawaiʻi Triennial. 

Is artXchange a curated exhibition like Hawai‘i Triennial? 

No, artXchange is a fundraiser. The artworks in the artXchange Art Auction are selected for sale, not for a thematic exhibition. Participating artists and consignors are part of Hawaiʻi Contemporary’s network of friends, who support our mission in connecting Hawaiʻi and the Pacific through contemporary art.

Do art sale proceeds benefit students?

100% of the sales of artwork in the Young Contemporaries exhibition benefit the respective student artist. A valuable opportunity for aspiring young artists in Hawai‘i, the Young Contemporaries program offers students professional development in the creation, curation, critique, installation, presentation, and sale of artwork.

art Auction

What is the meaning of “private sale”?

Private sale refers to artworks that will be sold via direct inquiry (and not via auction bidding). If you’re interested in a private sale artwork, please email us events@hawaiicontemporary.org. Kindly reference the artwork, your phone number, and a good time (with time zone) to call. We’ll contact you by phone to discuss specific details about the work, pricing, shipping, and availability.

What is the meaning of “live auction”?

Select items (artworks and experiences) in artXchange will be sold during a live auction at the ticketed Benefit Experience (May 20, 2023). Auctioneer is courtesy of Bonhams auction house. 

Can I participate in the live auction even if I do not attend the Benefit Experience (May 20)?

Yes, you can participate in the live auction (May 20, 2023, 8pm HST) via absentee or telephone bidding. To do so, please email us by May 19, 2023, 5pm HST at events@hawaiicontemporary.org. Kindly include your name, phone number, and time zone. Hawai‘i Contemporary will contact you by phone to confirm your registration and further details.

Can I bid on artwork without visiting the artXchange public viewing?

Yes! All artworks with images and details about each artist are available online here. Should you have any inquiries or require more information about an artwork, please contact us at events@hawaiicontemporary.org.

 

How do I register for the art auction to bid on artwork in artXchange?

Register online here. You will be prompted to select how you would like to be notified of auction updates (such as when the auction closes, if they have been outbid on an item, etc.). Once you’ve entered your information, click on the green Let’s Get Bidding! Button. You will then see the name and bidder number you’ll be using to place bids. If you’re on O‘ahu, we welcome you to visit the in-person public viewing at Royal Hawaiian Center, May 21–28, 2023, 12pm–6pm daily.

 

Can the artworks be shipped to me?

All artworks ship from Honolulu. Shipping and any crating costs are the responsibility of the buyer. Hawai‘i Contemporary is happy to help facilitate this process by introducing buyers to our local logistic partners.

 

Are there other fees applied to artXchange purchases?

Applicable sales tax will apply to all works shipped to and within the US. Please note, bidders will be charged for the total purchase price, a 3% credit card transaction fee, if applicable, and any sales tax, based on your registration address. For transactions over $10,000, you will be given the option to pay via wire transfer.

 

Is Hawai‘i state tax applicable for artworks purchased from artXchange?

If the purchased artwork is picked up on O‘ahu or shipped to an address in Hawai‘i, then the State’s general excise tax (GET), 4.712%, will be applied to the full sale amount. GET is not applied to artworks shipped to a location outside of Hawai‘i; any taxes for such purchases would be the responsibility of the purchaser.

Is my artwork purchase from artXchange tax deductible?

Bidders who purchase items at a charity auction may claim a charitable contribution deduction for the amount paid that exceeds the fair market value of the item. The fair market value of each artwork is listed as the “Value” on auction detail page. For more information please visit: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charity-auctions.

Benefit Experience

Is my ticket to the artXchange Benefit Experience on May 20 tax deductible?

Yes, a percentage of the purchase price is tax deductible. We’ll send you a detailed receipt for your records.