The Museum of Chinese in America
The newly renamed Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) will move to a different location in New York City next fall, and last night I attended a dinner that helped to raise funds for the new, Maya Lin-designed structure.
Formerly called the Museum of Chinese in the Americas, MOCA is seeking submissions for its StoryMap moca.localprojects.net, an online archive that links personal stories with Google Maps. The website has already drawn stories and photos from people who immigrated from mainland China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, South Korea, and Ecuador. There are also submissions from ABCs (American-Born Chinese).
The new 14,000-square-foot gallery space will occupy the 200 block on Centre Street between Chinatown and Nolita, increasing the size of the museum by more than five times. The existing venue at 70 Mulberry St. will be converted into an archival research center. MOCA is also planning to digitize its collection of 60,000 letters, photos, and artifacts.
Until the new building is finished, MOCA is still open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12 to 6 p.m. at 70 Mulberry St. The museum also offers weekly Chinatown walking tours in English. Tours can be given in Chinese upon request. 1 p.m. Saturdays, $12 adults, $10 students/seniors.
212/619-4785, mocanyc.org, admission $2 adults, $1 students, $1 seniors 65 plus, free for children under 12 and on Fridays.
MORE BY AMY CHEN A visit to the Balloon Fiesta.
Photo by MarcalandDavis via Flickr and Creative Commons