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MOCACREATE: Dream Big! Vision Boards
Start the new year off right by designing a personalized vision board! Magazine designers use vision boards to find the perfect look and feel for their magazine— something that is visually appealing, draws readers in, and reflects the content of the articles. We can use our vision boards to envision our goals and dreams for the year ahead. What color palette embodies your hopes for 2025? What words can motivate you? What new things do you want to try? Whether you want to master new recipes, excel in a sport, or read a record number of books, a vision board can keep you on track and inspired.
Lunar New Year Pop-Up Red Envelope Workshop with Artist Star Shen
Join Chinatown BID for an inspiring afternoon of culture and creativity with Meggendorfer Prize-nominated paper engineer Star Shen at the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA)! This hands-on event is perfect for all ages and offers a unique exploration of pop-up art and tradition.
Event Highlights:
Journey Through Pop-Up Book History
Discover the origins, techniques, and evolution of pop-up books and their influence on modern storytelling.
Exclusive Sneak Peek: Manhattan’s Chinatown Pop-Up Book
Be the first to preview Shen’s latest creation: a pop-up book celebrating the rich culture and landmarks of Manhattan’s Chinatown.
DIY Pop-Up Red Envelope Workshop
Craft your own Lunar New Year pop-up red envelopes under Shen’s expert guidance. Create personalized designs to share blessings and good fortune!
🎁 Bonus: Receive beautifully crafted gifts and connect with the vibrant culture of Chinatown!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn, create, and celebrate!
MOCA PRESENTS – Threads of Home, A Participatory Theatre Workshop
As part of the production of New Year’s Eve Dinner by Director Zhenyu Meng and SpArkling Theatre Studio, the Museum of Chinese in America invites you to an immersive, participatory theater workshop titled Threads of Home. This workshop will offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process, utilizing Chekhov's acting techniques.
Participants will step into the floor plan of a traditional northern Chinese household, exploring the personal and emotional nuances of “home.” Through theatrical exercises, you’ll engage in a unique experience of memory, props, and dialogue — all while reflecting on what it means to gather during Lunar New Year.
What to Expect:
MOCA PERFORMS – Heteroglossia, Day 3
The Museum of Chinese in America’s 2024-2025 Performing-Artist-in-Residence program invites you to MOCA Performs – Heteroglossia, an engaging showcase of works-in-progress from five resident performing artists. This year’s theme, Heteroglossia, encourages artists to explore identity through the lens of their unique cultures and lifestyles.
In this presentation, Theater/Performance Director Yibin Wang will debut Tongues, a documentary performance project. Through personal stories and daily experiences, Tongues reflects on the cross-cultural identities of Asians in America, focusing on the significance of mother tongues and cultural heritage.
NEA Big Read: Interior Chinatown Book Discussion and Writing Workshop
The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) kicks off its 2024-25 NEA Big Read initiative featuring Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. Celebrate the Hulu premiere of this National Book Award-winning novel with a free book discussion and writing workshop led by educator Alice Fung. Dive into themes like family histories, the immigrant experience, and storytelling as a tool for addressing real-world challenges. Participants will also engage in a creative writing activity and receive a free copy of the book.
No prior writing experience needed—everyone is welcome! Join us this winter to explore Where We Live through literature and community.
MOCA TALKS with Shiyong Lu – Gefilte Fish to Chop Suey: The History of Kosher Chinese Food in New York City
The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) and the Museum at Eldridge Street invite you to a virtual seminar with Judaic Studies scholar Shiyong Lu on the history of kosher Chinese food in New York City.
Discover how New York Jews in the 20th century bridged cultural divides by blending Chinese cuisine with Jewish traditions, creating a unique phenomenon: kosher Chinese food. Explore its origins, influence, and the role it played in shaping American Jewish identity, with insights from NYU researcher Shiyong Lu.
Join us for this fascinating discussion just in time for the holiday season!
MOCACREATE: Me, in Print! The Art of Designing a Magazine for Your Best Self
Step into the role of designer and editor of your very own magazine! Experiment with ways to bind your zine and use its pages as a canvas for self-expression. Whether you’re sketching outfits, writing articles, or picturing your perfect day, celebrate who you are and who you want to become—one creative page at a time!
MOCA PRESENTS – Red Reminds Me
The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) continues its LGBTQ AANHPI Program Series in partnership with Visual AIDS for Day With(out) Art 2024, presenting Red Reminds Me…—a poignant program of seven newly commissioned videos exploring the diverse emotional experiences of living with HIV today.
Featuring artists from around the globe, the program uses visual storytelling to reframe associations with the color red—beyond pain and tragedy—to themes of intimacy, kinship, and freedom. Join us to reflect on how grief, anger, and loss coexist with resilience, memory, and liberation.
Presented in partnership with Visual AIDS, a nonprofit committed to art, dialogue, and advocacy for HIV+ individuals.
MOCACREATE: Totally Awesome Pop Art Lettering with Teaching Artist Yu Rong 11/23
Step back in time and get inspired by the bold, colorful designs of the 90s and 2000s! Explore the fonts that defined a generation in Magazine Fever, from the grunge of the 90s to the neon glow of Y2K aesthetics. Then, create your own eye-catching lettering. Whether you’re crafting bold headlines, playful bubble letters, or iconic WordArt, join us in channeling your inner designer and creating fonts that pop!
MOCA TALKS with Curtis Chin – Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant @ MOCA
Join the Museum of Chinese in America for a compelling MOCA TALKS event with Curtis Chin, author of Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Chin will delve into his journey growing up as a gay Chinese American in 1980s Detroit, capturing life at his family’s Cantonese restaurant, Chung’s. His memoir reflects on self-discovery amid a backdrop of rising xenophobia, the AIDS crisis, and Reagan-era shifts, offering insight into how these experiences influenced his work as a writer and activist.
MOCA AAPI LGBTQ+ Mental Health Symposium
Join MOCA for a meaningful symposium spotlighting mental health in the AAPI LGBTQ+ community! Hear from a panel of mental health experts as they cover topics like self-acceptance, relationships, and the unique challenges queer Asian Americans face. Bring your questions for an open dialogue, with Mandarin support available. Attend in person or join us via live stream. This event is part of MOCA’s commitment to mental health awareness and inclusivity for all AAPI LGBTQ+ voices.
MOCA TALKS with Thomas S. Mullaney – The Chinese Computer: A Global History of the Information Age
This event will uncover the fascinating, untold story of how the Chinese language overcame unparalleled challenges and revolutionized the world of computing.
A standard QWERTY keyboard has a few dozen keys. How can Chinese—a language with tens of thousands of characters and no alphabet—be input on such a device? In The Chinese Computer, Mullaney sets out to resolve this paradox, discovering that the key to this seemingly impossible riddle has given rise to a new epoch in the history of writing—a form of writing he calls “hypography.” Based on fifteen years of research, this pathbreaking history charts the beginnings of electronic Chinese technology in the wake of World War II and traces its many iterations to the present day.
MOCACREATE: Cover of the Year! with Teaching Artist Yu Rong
Ever wondered what it’s like to see yourself on a magazine cover? Join us for a fun workshop where you can explore cover art from small publications featuring Asian Americans from the 1980s to 2000s! Get creative and design your own magazine cover starring… you! Choose images, craft catchy headlines, and learn what makes a cover pop.
Paint, build, craft, and collage with us! MOCACREATE workshops are inspired by the museum’s exhibitions and local artists, exploring different themes each month. Family-friendly fun for everyone—don’t miss it!
MOCA PERFORMS – This Body Was Made for Bleeding A Work-in-Progress Performance
Join us at the Museum of Chinese in America as performer-playwright-filmmaker Nancy Ma returns to share her evolving project, This Body Was Made for Bleeding, part of her 2023-24 PAIR residency. This work-in-progress delves into the complexities of womanhood, motherhood, and daughterhood. After a successful public presentation in February, which captivated audiences with its openness and innovative blend of video and live performance, Nancy continues to refine her piece. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the next iteration of her impactful work!
MOCA PRESENTS: 4N Exchange – An Evening with Special Special and 4N
Join the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) and Special Special for 4N Exchange, an evening of creative dialogue featuring artists from the second issue of 4N magazine. The event kicks off with a panel discussion featuring Ally Yanxiu Luo, Terumi Saito, Supatida Sutiratana, Sixing Xu, and Hang Yu, who will share their artistic practices and experiences as immigrants in the U.S. today. Topics will include navigating the creative landscape and the complexities of the visa process, moderated by MOCA’s Dennis Yueh-Yeh Li.
After the discussion, celebrate the magazine launch with a performance by Sherly Fan and music by DJ Dizparity (Po Cheng Yeh). This is a fantastic opportunity to network and connect with fellow artists and community members!
MOCA TALKS: Ho Tam in Conversation with Herb Tam
Join the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) for an engaging conversation with artist Ho Tam and Herb Tam, MOCA’s Curator and Director of Exhibitions. They’ll delve into Ho Tam’s self-published magazine Hotam, his journey in creating artist books, and his reflections on life in New York during the 1990s. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insight into the intersection of art and personal history!
MOCACREATE: Shifting Seasons Sun Prints with Teaching Artist Yu Rong
Celebrate World Cyanotype Day on September 28th at MOCA! Join teaching artist Yu Rong and create your own cyanotype using paper shapes, leaves, and sunlight. While your art develops, dive into the fascinating 180-year history of this early photography method or explore the museum’s exhibits. At MOCACREATE, families can paint, craft, and collage together—every month brings new themes and inspiration from local artists. All ages welcome!
MOCA Mid-Autumn Festival Mixer
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with MOCA! Enjoy a festive evening filled with a mahjong lesson led by expert Sokie Lee, moonlit music from the New Asia Chamber Music Society, and a tasting of hand-brewed Qinghong rice wine. Indulge in mooncakes, sip specialty drinks, and enjoy a few surprises. Whether reconnecting with your roots or discovering something new, this night is all about joy, culture, and community!
Back-to-School Educator Evening with MOCA, Museum at Eldridge Street, and Henry Street Settlement
Join us for a fun and informative Educator Evening at the Museum at Eldridge Street! Partnering with MOCA and Henry Street Settlement, we’ll share exciting tours, programs, and educational resources that bring New York’s rich immigration history to life. Meet fellow educators, enjoy a mini tour, earn 1 CTLE hour, and discover new ways to enhance your students' learning. Light snacks provided!
MOCA TALKS with Patricia Tanumihardja – Mortar and Pestle: Classic Indonesian Recipes for the Modern Kitchen
Dive into the delicious world of Indonesian cuisine with Patricia Tanumihardja at MOCA! Discover her new cookbook, Mortar and Pestle, bursting with 80 vibrant recipes and family stories. Join Patricia, along with Sharon Wee and Kian Lam Kho, for a lively discussion on bringing these mouthwatering flavors into your kitchen. Don’t miss this tasty cultural adventure!
Mid-Autumn Family Festival @ MOCA 9/14/24
Mooncakes, magic, and the Jade Rabbit on the moon! Join us for an afternoon of storytelling, drop-in arts & crafts, mooncake making, and more on Saturday, September 14th from 2 – 5 PM.
MOCA TALKS with Mimi Kwa – House of Kwa
Riveting, colorful, and often darkly humorous, House of Kwa is an epic story spanning four generations of Kwa’s Chinese family. From the imperial compound in Beijing, down the silk and opium road to Southern China, and across to Hong Kong, it is an unforgettable tale of one woman’s courage to stand up to a lifetime of bullying and prejudice. Throughout her journey, Kwa finds inspiration in her father’s late older sister, the jet-setting, free-spirited Aunt Theresa, whose extraordinary life serves as a beacon of hope.
MOCACREATE: Qixi for You & Me! 你我的七夕 at Dyker Library
We’re celebrating Qixi, the most romantic holiday on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. On this night, Niulang and Zhinü, the cowherd and weaver girl, are able to meet for just one night. Help them reunite by adding a mixed-media magpie to our bridge of magpies and stars to shine the way. Then, celebrate those you adore by making a woven paper heart to share how you feel.
MOCA TALKS with Melody Yunzi Li: Cultural Mapping of American and Chinese Dreams
The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) cordially invites you to join an insightful discussion with Dr. Melody Yunzi Li, Assistant Professor in Chinese Studies at the University of Houston and author of Transpacific Cartographies: Narrating the Contemporary Chinese Diaspora in the United States. This event will explore how contemporary Chinese diasporic narratives address the existential loss of home for immigrant communities at a time of global precarity and amid rising Sino-US tensions.
MOCA PRESENTS – MothSutra: An East to West Poetry Reading
In partnership with the Asian American / Asian Research Institute – CUNY, poet and editor Russell C. Leong will read from MothSutra, a collection of drawings and poetry about an Asian delivery man who rides a bicycle throughout Manhattan as he “cycles through his life from East to West.” Leong aims to evoke the inner lives, meditations, hopes, and dreams of individuals generally invisible to those who order “takeout.” MothSutra was first presented at the Bowery Poetry Club, the University of Hong Kong Black Box Theatre, and the City University of New York. He will be introduced via video by the late Chinese American labor historian, Peter Kwong. A bilingual Q&A session will follow, conducted in English and Chinese.
Dragon Boat Family Festival @ MOCA
Make waves with MOCA! Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) on Saturday, June 15th from 2:00-5:00pm with an afternoon full of arts & crafts, storytelling, and scavengAAr hunts! Learn about dragon boat racing; design your own buoyant boat; learn to wrap zòngzi; stuff a fragrant, lucky xiāng bāo; and much more family fun!
MOCA TALKS with Michelle King – Chop Fry Watch Learn: Fu Pei-mei and the Making of Modern Chinese Food
Honoring National Immigrant Heritage Month, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) cordially invites you to a virtual discussion with Michelle T. King, an associate professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of Chop Fry Watch Learn: Fu Pei-mei and the Making of Modern Chinese Food. This event will illustrate a spirited new history of Chinese food, told through the remarkable life of Fu Pei-mei, the woman who brought Chinese cooking to the world.
MOCAKIDS Dragon Boat Author Meet & Greet with Eugenia Chu
The Dragon Boat Festival marks the end of spring and the arrival of the summer sun. This year, it falls on June 10th. Get ready with us by learning about this ancient celebration, which has been around for over 2,000 years and is still celebrated today! From thrilling dragon boat races to yummy sticky rice dumplings, author Eugenia Chu will guide us through it all, as she reads excerpts from her new book, Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival. After the reading, we’ll be folding paper boats to get ready for the races.
MOCA PERFORMS – There is Always Sunshine on the Stage
In continuation of celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month, the Museum of Chinese in America is honored to collaborate with Playwright/Director Patrick Lee to present a staged reading of his play, There is Always Sunshine on the Stage, produced by Eight Corners. There is Always Sunshine on the Stage is a poignant play that emphasizes the importance of storytelling. The plot follows the ‘Sunshine Theater Group’ on a quest for the perfect play to commemorate their 50th anniversary — possibly their final performance due to financial challenges. Life brings forth a variety of narratives from different individuals, yet their unique tales ultimately converge toward a collective story – “The People’s” story. Often overlooked even within the AAPI community, these stories need to continue living. This play aims to celebrate and preserve the plurality of humanity. Centered on authenticity and cultural stewardship, the play embodies a sense of hopefulness. By retelling these stories genuinely, their narratives can be reclaimed from time and history’s erasure, ensuring the people are heard and respected.
MOCACREATE: Summer Festival Brush Painting with Teaching Artist Yu Rong
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Double Fifth Festival, marks the arrival of summer on the lunar calendar. Let’s welcome summer together by making brush paintings inspired by the scented herbs and festive flowers hung in homes during the Dragon Boat Festival.
MOCA Talks: Dragon of concrete jungles
Honoring AAPI Heritage Month, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) cordially invites you to an engaging event as we celebrate the launch of Dragon of Concrete Jungles (美港潛龍), a captivating journey that chronicles the lives of Sifu Yip Wing Hong and his son Jeffrey Yip across the dynamic landscapes of Hong Kong and New York City.
Illuminate AAPI History in Your Classroom: An Evening for Educators
🖼️ Attend a gallery tour of With a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America to immerse yourself in the long and nuanced history of the Chinese diaspora in the United States. Along the way, explore tools and strategies for incorporating Chinese American voices into your units of study.
👐 Participate in hands-on activities in MOCA’s special exhibition, Five Senses of Chinatown, to consider how to bring sensory and object-based inquiry into your classroom.
📚 Learn about museum gallery programs, neighborhood walking tours, AAPI children’s books, and classroom-ready resources that can enhance your Social Studies, English, and Humanities curricula.
Geared towards educators of students in grades 2-12.
1.5 CTLE hours provided to eligible participants.
MOCA PRESENTS – Special Community Screening: The Race Epidemic
In partnership with the Asian Pacific American Leadership Foundation, the Museum of Chinese in America cordially invites you to a special AANHPI Heritage Month screening of the award-winning documentary, The Race Epidemic. This PBS-distributed film explores racism, xenophobia, hate, and violence that marginalized groups have faced throughout the history of America.