Dear Friends of MOCA,

For 45 years, we have preserved and told the stories of others. We would like to tell our own.

For the past several years, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) has been in the fight of its life, navigating a series of extraordinary challenges: a story of perseverance and a relentless fight for survival.

The Threat of Displacement from Chinatown

The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) was founded in 1980 as the New York Chinatown History Project by a collective of community members determined to preserve Chinatown’s legacy. As the community grew, so did the museum. In the early 2000s, the museum needed more space to house its collections, exhibitions and ever-expanding programming. In 2009, MOCA moved to its current location at 215 Centre Street, a rented storefront where it expanded its space by six-fold.

In 2014, after growing the museum from a community collecting project into an established New York cultural institution, our landlord notified us of their intent to sell our building at 215 Centre Street when the lease expired in 2019. We faced a stark decision that New Yorkers can appreciate: be displaced, close and go 100% online, or create a permanent home for the stories of Chinese in America and where generations of MOCA staff have invested so much time and effort. We knew MOCA belonged in the heart of Chinatown, so we launched a campaign not just to stay, but to buy the building and create a larger venue to safeguard the history of Chinese in America.

The Hardship Years

Most museums, including MOCA, operate on limited budgets and often require public and private funding to survive. To buy the building, we secured city capital funding between 2015 and 2019, which was approved and allocated in increments over that time. These grants were cultural grants, approved specifically for the purpose of purchasing the building, like a mortgage. The final grant was approved in 2019, although it was not allocated for another 5 years.

• The Misunderstanding: Our final grant unfortunately coincided with then-Mayor DiBlasio’s Borough-Based Jail Initiative, which passed in 2019. This timing allowed disinformation to spread, falsely linking MOCA to a project we fundamentally oppose. We recognize the disappointment and division this grant caused in the community, compounded by a lack of timely communication on our part to address statements against this funding. However, as noted by the New York Times in August 2021 (read here), we were never party to any agreement regarding the jail. We want to state clearly: We continue to oppose the construction of a new jail in Chinatown.
• The Fire: In early 2020, MOCA faced one of its greatest challenges. A devastating fire threatened our Collection and Research Center at 70 Mulberry Street. The damage was extensive and required a costly restoration process that put an added strain on our already struggling situation. We responded quickly to save irreplaceable items – close to 95% of MOCA’s Collection – but we incurred unbudgeted expenses to provide alternative storage and conservation for our artifacts.
• The Pandemic: Simultaneously, COVID-19 shut the world down. Hampered by regulations and facing local hostility, MOCA remained closed for nearly three years, operating on a shoestring budget while our future hung in the balance.
• The Harassment: As the protest movement continued, we scrambled to serve our community through virtual programs and events. More than 5 years later, our employees must still navigate working through protests to deliver education, programming and exhibitions dedicated to the Chinese American experience today.

The Breaking Point

The years of struggle nearly broke us. By 2023, with City funding delayed, the building seller demanding more money and threatening to cancel the deal, and the social climate remaining volatile, our Board seriously considered closing the museum permanently. The obstacles simply felt too great to overcome.

Ultimately, we realized that closing MOCA would not stop the jail construction. It would not return funding to the community. The only thing closing would achieve is silencing and erasing one of the few institutions that remembers and shares the stories of Chinese in America, a history that goes back over 200 years. There are 35,000 museums in America. Fewer than 10 are dedicated to the Chinese American experience. Considering the rich contributions Chinese Americans have made to the fabric of American history, we deserved more than that.

A New Chapter

Through the staunch effort of a few, we secured the necessary private and public funds to close on the building in January 2024. We are no longer tenants. We now have a permanent home.

MOCA’s journey draws strength from the immigrant spirit: faced with hardship and the threat of displacement, we firmly re-committed ourselves to the community. We did not just survive; we secured a permanent home for the local and national Chinese American community for generations to come. We are transitioning from a struggle for survival to embracing a future of limitless growth.

Now, the real work begins. We are embarking on an exciting new chapter, ready to expand our programming to engage more visitors, and stimulate economic growth for Chinatown—all while telling our authentic story on our own terms.

What you do today is a piece of tomorrow’s history. We ask you to stand with us now as we build a dynamic and inclusive home for all of our stories. Join us as MOCA prepares for a momentous 2026:

• New initiatives to champion the fine arts through world-class exhibitions and installations by Chinese and Asian American artists, and increase partnerships with emerging artists;
• A calendar of vibrant, family festivals offering fun experiences with artists and performers to celebrate Chinese American heritage through culture, tradition, food, and arts and crafts;
• Create compelling podcasts and social media reels inspired by MOCA’s diverse collection of artifacts and oral histories to enrich storytelling across more digital platforms and beyond our museum walls;
• Embark on a plan to be the leading educational resource and home for innovative Asian American Studies programs, inspiring students to explore Asian American identity, culture and contributions.

MOCA is committed to amplifying the voices and stories of those in our community who have made major impacts in all corners of American life. Thanks to a growing community of generous supporters, we’ve overcome tremendous challenges and continue to grow. We welcome you to join that community with a donation to the museum today. With your year-end gift, you will help shape MOCA’s future and ensure our work thrives for generations to come.

With resilience and gratitude,

The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA)

Contribute $50 or more and receive a One-Year MyMOCA Membership for 2026!