Our Mission
MOCA’s mission is to celebrate the living history of the Chinese experience in America, to inspire our diverse communities to contribute to America’s evolving cultural narrative and civil society, and to empower and bridge our communities across generations, ethnicities and geography through our dynamic stories.
About Us
MOCA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and cultural institution that presents the living history, heritage, culture and diverse experiences of Chinese Americans through exhibitions, educational services and public programs. It began in 1980 as the community-based New York Chinatown History Project, founded by community and student activists led by historian John Kuo Wei Tchen and Charles Lai.
It has since grown to encompass the stories and journeys of the many communities of Chinese America, both in the New York Metro area and across the U.S., including new immigrants and established
multi-generation families.
Since late 2009 when MOCA moved into its new space, designed by Maya Lin and located at the crossroads of Soho and Chinatown, the Museum and its audiences have grown in size and scope. This was made possible by a unique public/private partnership between collaborative government efforts to rebuild Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11 and MOCA’s growing community of donors led by its Board of Trustees. Currently, MOCA’s family consists of its many visitors: members, scholars, artists, activists, and families with young children, as well as a growing base of young professionals, business leaders and entrepreneurs.
