Join us for a hands-on printmaking workshop inspired by the vibrant world of Asian American magazines! Led by Teaching Artist Yu Rong, this session explores stamping, monoprinting, and creative storytelling to help you design your own mini-magazine. Share your latest news—whether it’s a favorite book, a beloved pet, or a map to the best snacks in town—using styrofoam, cardboard, and ink to bring your ideas to life.

MOCACREATE workshops are inspired by museum exhibitions and local artists, offering families and visitors of all ages the chance to paint, build, craft, and collage together.

FREE! RSVP optional but appreciated.

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Karen Fang, film scholar and author of Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong. Best known for shaping the dreamlike landscapes of Bambi, Wong’s artistic legacy extends far beyond animation—spanning fine art, film, and even handcrafted kites flown on the beaches of Santa Monica.

From his early days as a young immigrant facing the Chinese Exclusion Act to his groundbreaking work in Hollywood and Hallmark, this talk honors Wong’s lasting impact on American visual storytelling. Moderated by Yifan Wu, MOCA’s Senior Director of Events and Operations, this discussion will celebrate an artist who bridged cultures and redefined the boundaries of creativity.

Don’t miss this inspiring event!

Dive into the world of printmaking and explore Asian American magazine culture! Use stamping and monoprinting techniques to create your own mini-magazine filled with personal stories—share your favorite book, map out the best snacks in your neighborhood, or tell the tale of your family pet.

All are welcome! MOCACREATE workshops are inspired by museum exhibitions and local artists, offering a hands-on creative experience for families and beyond.

RSVP now to save your spot!

MOCA Queer StoryJAM returns with an evening of heartfelt storytelling centered on Intimacy. Five LGBTQIA+ Asian American storytellers will share personal narratives exploring connection—whether in romance, friendship, or family. Through these stories, we celebrate being seen, understood, and supported in our most authentic selves. Guests are also invited to share their own experiences during an open mic session. Join us for a night of reflection, understanding, and community.

MOCA’s 2024-2025 Performing-Artist-In-Residence program presents MOCA Performs – Heteroglossia, Pt. 2, showcasing works-in-progress by this year’s artists. Performer-Composer-Improviser Shinya Lin will debut New Music City, an experiential music project that invites audiences on a curated sound journey through Chinatown. Inspired by the concept of Ubiquitous Music, this project challenges conventional listening experiences, fostering a heightened awareness of sound as an essential part of daily life and cultural identity.

Join MOCA for a special talk with author Aiguo Ying, Vice President of the Association of American Chinese Writers, as he discusses his novella collection, All the Beautiful People Have Come to New York. Through vivid storytelling, Ying captures over forty years of Chinese diaspora history, exploring themes of migration, identity, and cultural memory against the backdrop of New York City.

Experience “MOCA Performs – Heteroglossia, Pt. 2,” showcasing works-in-progress from MOCA’s Performing-Artist-In-Residence program. This year’s theme, Heteroglossia, explores identity through diverse cultural lenses. Filmmaker Min Ding presents Weaving Identity: Self-Coming & Beyond, a documentary on Cantonese women who defied tradition through celibacy, resonating with modern conversations on self-autonomy.

Celebrate the Lantern Festival on February 12 by crafting colorful paper lanterns to mark the end of Lunar New Year festivities. Add traditional riddles or create your own for a fun and festive touch!

Celebrate Lunar New Year with the New York Chinese Cultural Center and MOCA! Enjoy a vibrant performance by NYCCC’s resident company and guest artists, showcasing traditional and contemporary Chinese dance and music.

Celebrate the Year of the Snake at MOCA with a fun-filled Lunar New Year Family Festival! Enjoy cultural activities and surprises for all ages.
Morning session: 10 AM–1 PM; Afternoon session: 2 PM–5 PM.
Limited free tickets available for Culture Pass, Cool Culture, and Culture Connected families. Tickets at the door if capacity allows.

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with Brooklyn author Michele Wong McSween as she launches Gordon & Li Li’s: Celebrate Chinese New Year Coloring & Activity Book! Join us on January 29, 2025, at 2 PM for interactive storytelling, bilingual activities, crafts, and a book signing. Perfect for families with kids ages 3-8. Don’t miss MOCACREATE: Lunar New Year Museum Makeover happening the same day from 1–4 PM!

Join MOCA for MOCACREATE: Lunar New Year Museum Makeover! Help us welcome the Year of the Snake by crafting colorful decorations with teaching artist Yu Rong. Your creations will be displayed throughout the Museum during the Lunar New Year Family Festival. Perfect for families and open to all!

The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) presents an evening with Shang Saavedra, founder of Save My Cents and author of Wealth Is a Mindset. Explore how mental health and financial freedom intersect as Saavedra shares actionable strategies for transforming your relationship with money. Moderated by Robert Chen, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, this event offers practical advice and insights into achieving financial security on your own terms.

Join Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith at MOCA as they return with their beloved Pocket Chinese Almanac to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Discover the intelligence, elegance, and transformative energy of the Snake as they share insights, traditional practices, and tips for navigating the year ahead. Learn how the almanac, a cornerstone of Chinese culture, continues to guide daily life with wisdom and foresight.

Ring in the New Year with creativity at MOCA! Join teaching artist Yu Rong on Saturday, January 25, for a special decoration-making workshop to transform the museum with festive art, featured during our Lunar New Year Family Festival.

ALT Alliance will also lead participants in crafting paper chain snakes inspired by the Great Wall of China, designed by visual artist Tzu Ching Chen. Don’t miss your chance to grab one of 50 limited-edition craft kits (free, $29.95 value) and contribute to a collective symbol of strength, unity, and cultural pride.

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:

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!