The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is an arts and cultural center dedicated to the experiences of people of Chinese descent in the United States. Located in Manhattan's Chinatown, its art and interactive exhibits help all students develop an understanding of Chinese American history and culture.
*Please see our availabilities below as we offer programs outside of our regular hours for the public. Programs can be scheduled on Tuesdays.*
MOCA is excited to offer both in-person and virtual, educator-led programs for school groups from grades K-12, as well as college, adult, and older adult groups.
In-Person Group Reservation Policies
In-Person Group Tour Fees (per group):
$100/ DOE Title 1 School*
$150/NYC Public School/CUNY/SUNY
$200/Independent and Out of State Schools (K-12)
$250/College and University Students, Adults
$150/Seniors
*Title 1 schools in Chinatown, Two Bridges, and the Lower East Side may qualify for reduced rates or waivers. Please ask for details when you make a reservation.
MOCA is pleased to be able to offer a limited number of free, in-person field trips for K-12 NYC public schools during the 2024-2025 school year, courtesy of an anonymous donor. Guided tours will be available during: October, November, December, March, April, and June. Priority will be given to Title I and neighborhood schools.
Eligibility:
To apply for a free, in-person field trip for your class, please book a program through Explorable Places and include “Applying for grant-funded field trip” as part of the answer to “What kind of group are you bringing?”
Please email education@mocanyc.org with any questions.
Virtual Programs
Virtual programs engage students with primary sources from the museum’s collection through close looking exercises, guided discussions, and interactive activities.
Virtual Program Fees (per group):
$75/ DOE Title 1 School*
$100/NYC Public School/CUNY/SUNY
$125/Independent and Out of State Schools (K-12)
$150/College and University Students, Adults
$100/Seniors
*Title 1 schools in Chinatown, Two Bridges, and the Lower East Side may qualify for reduced rates or waivers. Please ask for details when you make a reservation.
Payment
There are no indoor lunch facilities at the museum. Weather permitting, groups can eat lunch in nearby Columbus Park. Rapkin-Gayle Plaza, or Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Please enjoy snacks before your visit.
Bathrooms and a water fountain are located on the lower level of the museum. The lower level is accessible by stairs or a staff-operated lift.
If your group must cancel its visit, please let us know by emailing education@mocanyc.org as soon as possible. We are a small team and would love to accommodate as many groups as we can. Thank you in advance!
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See all tipsLearn about MOCA’s core exhibit, With a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America, in this educator-led gallery tour that provides an overview of the Chinese in America from the 19th century through the present day. Items in the Museum’s collection are used to highlight the major themes of the exhibit. (60 minute option available)
history, 19th century, 20th century, social studies, geography, cultural connections
field trip
$250.00 per Group for Postsecondary School
$250.00 per Group for Adults
$200.00 per Group for Private School
$150.00 per Group for Seniors
$150.00 per Group for Public School
$100.00 per Group for Title I School
Students examine and analyze representations of the Chinese in America in political cartoons, advertisements, and pop culture ranging from the 19th century through the present day. Through a series of document-based exercises that strengthen critical thinking and visual literacy and analysis, students learn the origins of stereotypes and social fears, such as xenophobia and racism, in US society. Students make connections between representations of race and labor relations, immigration and naturalization policies, and international affairs.
history, 19th century, 20th century, social studies, social justice, primary sources
field trip
$200.00 per Group for Private School
$150.00 per Group for Public School
$100.00 per Group for Title I School
Curious about lion dance, Cantonese opera, and other traditions that permeate Chinese American culture? Pack your suitcase, and follow along! On this guided gallery experience, students will explore Chinese American customs and traditions through the lenses of performing arts, language, food, and daily life. Students will have opportunities to share their own cultural traditions and make connections with the Chinese immigrant community.
social studies, cultural connections, arts, music, dance
field trip
$200.00 per Group for Private School
$150.00 per Group for Public School
$100.00 per Group for Title I School
Through an examination of personal artifacts, photographs, and documents from the Museum’s collection, students will explore the Chinese American experience from past to present. Students will learn about successive waves of Chinese immigrants, their motivations for coming, where they settled, how they were treated, how they adapted to their new life, and how they shaped American society. Hands-on activities with primary sources will encourage students to delve deeper into pertinent themes and to make connections with their personal experience.
history, immigration, 20th century, social studies, cultural connections, primary sources
field trip
$200.00 per Group for Private School
$150.00 per Group for Public School
$100.00 per Group for Title I School
Explore the museum at your own pace! Self-guided groups are welcome to visit our core exhibit, With a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America, as well as our special exhibits and the Our Chinatown Learning Center. K-8 self-guided groups must bring at least 1 chaperone for every 8 students. Age-appropriate worksheets are available upon request.
history, social studies, social justice
field trip
$100.00 per Group for Seniors
$100.00 per Group for Adults
$100.00 per Group for Postsecondary School
$100.00 per Group for School Group
Offered April - December.
Restaurants have always played an essential role in New York City's Chinatown. Trace the evolution of eateries in Chinatown, highlighting stories of diversity—the flavors of China’s regional cuisines converging in New York City; stories of legacy—Chinatown’s sons and daughters who grew up to be entrepreneurs and restaurateurs; and stories of evolution—a constant weaving between the classic and modern, the old and the new.
NOTE ON CHAPERONES: Walking Tour groups larger than 15 will be split into two groups, each with their own educator. Groups will do the tour simultaneously, but may complete stops in a different order and will not necessarily be within eyesight of each other. Please plan accordingly and bring sufficient chaperones if your school requires a teacher to be with students at all times.
history, 19th century, 20th century, social studies, cultural connections
field trip
$250.00 per Group for Adults
$250.00 per Group for Postsecondary School
$200.00 per Group for Private School
$150.00 per Group for Seniors
$150.00 per Group for Public School
$100.00 per Group for Title I School
MOCA Education is happy to offer any of our current learning experiences to qualifying community partners at reduced rates or free of charge. Please specify your preferred program when booking.
history, immigration, cultural connections, my community, arts
field trip
$75.00 per Group for Non School Group
$50.00 per Group for Non School Group
$0.00 per Group for Non School Group
Offered April - December.
Uncover the history of one of New York City’s oldest neighborhoods! This walking tour focuses on how everyday buildings and places of historical significance reflect and shape a community--from its origins as the Native American village of Werpoes Hill in 1600 to its present status as one of the fastest-growing immigrant communities in New York City. Highlighted sites include the oldest streets in Chinatown, a Catholic church, Chinatown's oldest general store, and a Chinese eatery that catered to the needs of Chinatown’s turn-of-the-century “bachelor society.”
NOTE ON CHAPERONES: Walking Tour groups larger than 10 people will be split into two groups, each with their own educator. Groups will do the tour simultaneously, but may complete stops in a different order and will not necessarily be within eyesight of each other. Please plan accordingly and bring sufficient chaperones if your school requires a teacher to be with students at all times.
history, 19th century, 20th century, social studies, cultural connections, my community
field trip
$250.00 per Group for Adults
$250.00 per Group for Postsecondary School
$200.00 per Group for Private School
$150.00 per Group for Seniors
$150.00 per Group for Public School
$100.00 per Group for Title I School
** Offered beginning May 1st, email education@mocanyc.org to inquire!** Five Senses of Chinatown captures the unique character of Manhattan Chinatown through artwork by students from local schools, historical artifacts from MOCA’s Collection, and interactive sense stations. Explore the exhibit’s diverse range of works inspired by Chinatown spaces like homes, public parks, street life, businesses, eateries, grocery stores, and bubble tea shops. Activate your senses with fun educator-led activities as well as a Chinatown-themed craft!
history, immigration, social studies, cultural connections, arts
field trip
$225.00 per Group for Adults
$225.00 per Group for Postsecondary School
$175.00 per Group for Private School
$150.00 per Group for Seniors
$150.00 per Group for Public School
$100.00 per Group for Title I School
Offered April - December.
Bring students to the Museum of Chinese in America for an in-person exploration of New York City’s vibrant Chinatown. Students will learn about the landmarks, businesses, and people that make up the Chinatown community, and connect them to places and people in their own home neighborhoods.
NOTE ON CHAPERONES: Walking Tour groups larger than 15 will be split into two groups, each with their own educator. Groups will do the tour simultaneously, but may complete stops in a different order and will not necessarily be within eyesight of each other. Please plan accordingly and bring sufficient chaperones if your school requires a teacher to be with students at all times.
social studies, geography, cultural connections, city planning, my community
field trip
$200.00 per Group for Private School
$150.00 per Group for Public School
$100.00 per Group for Title I School
Offered April - December.
Bring students to New York City’s historic Chinatown for a fun and interactive map-themed trip! Students will explore the landmarks and businesses of Chinatown in person, then create their own maps to record their visits and what they’ve learned about this community.
NOTE ON CHAPERONES: Walking Tour groups larger than 15 will be split into two groups, each with their own educator. Groups will do the tour simultaneously, but may complete stops in a different order and will not necessarily be within eyesight of each other. Please plan accordingly and bring sufficient chaperones if your school requires a teacher to be with students at all times.
social studies, geography, cultural connections, city planning, my community
field trip
$200.00 per Group for Private School
$150.00 per Group for Public School
$100.00 per Group for Title I School
Through an exploration of a selection of primary and secondary sources about two Chinese Americans -- Kenneth Ang and Hazel Ying Lee -- students will learn about the impact of race and gender discrimination in the past and be guided to make contemporary connections. In particular, students will look closely at how the Chinese Exclusion Act affected would-be immigrants and Chinese Americans.
history, immigration, women's history, social studies, cultural connections, social justice
virtual field trip
$125.00 per Group for Private School
$100.00 per Group for Public School
$75.00 per Group for Title I School
Through an exploration of a selection of popular Chinese and Chinese American foods, students will learn about the diversity and adaptability of Chinese food culture and make connections to their own food customs and traditions. Students will investigate how differences in geography and climate in China have created diverse, regional cuisines. Students will also explore the food customs and traditions Chinese immigrants brought with them and how these customs and traditions have been preserved, changed, or adapted to new circumstances.
immigration, weather and climate, social studies, geography, cultural connections, my community
virtual field trip
$125.00 per Group for Private School
$100.00 per Group for Public School
$75.00 per Group for Title I School
Students will gain an appreciation of performing arts by learning about Chinese opera styles and lion dancing. Students will practice deep looking and critical reasoning skills through activities including comparing and contrasting lions and dragons, discussing the symbolism of costumes and gestures, and thinking about how the arts impact people's lives both during celebrations and as part of their everyday activities.
immigration, arts, music, theater, dance
virtual field trip
$125.00 per Group for Private School
$100.00 per Group for Public School
$75.00 per Group for Title I School
Through an examination of personal artifacts, photographs, and documents from the Museum’s collection and others, students will explore the Chinese American experience through the lens of Kenneth, a young Chinese boy who emigrated to the United States via Angel Island. Students will consider what the journey was like, learn about the specific challenges Chinese immigrants faced, investigate the conditions on Angel Island, and reflect on immigration laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act. Interactive activities coupled with close looking will encourage students to make connections between past and present experiences of immigrants to the U.S., and even their own.
history, immigration, social studies, cultural connections, my community, social justice
virtual field trip
$125.00 per Group for Private School
$100.00 per Group for Public School
$75.00 per Group for Title I School
A remotely guided program using primary and secondary sources from MOCA’s collections and others to analyze the history and impact of the perpetual foreigner stereotype, with an emphasis on how that stereotype has affected, and continues to affect, people of Chinese heritage (or perceived as being Chinese or of Chinese heritage) in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic.
history, immigration, social studies, cultural connections, social justice, current events
virtual field trip
$150.00 per Group for Adults
$150.00 per Group for Postsecondary School
$125.00 per Group for Private School
$100.00 per Group for Seniors
$100.00 per Group for Public School
$75.00 per Group for Title I School
Through an examination of personal artifacts, photographs, and documents from the Museum’s collection and others, students will explore the Chinese American experience through the lens of Wong Chin Foo, a Chinese American immigrant, journalist, and activist. Students will learn about the specific challenges Chinese immigrants faced when trying to build new homes in America, investigate how they tried to counter stereotypes and advocate for themselves, and reflect on immigration laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act. Interactive activities coupled with close looking will encourage students to make connections between past and present experiences of immigrants to the U.S., and even their own.
history, immigration, social studies
virtual field trip
$125.00 per Group for Private School
$100.00 per Group for Public School
$75.00 per Group for Title I School
Offered January - March
Through a guided interactive virtual experience, students learn about one of the most important and long-standing holidays for Chinese communities in America and all over the world. How do people prepare for Lunar New Year? What are the meanings behind the various customs? How have Chinese Americans preserved and adapted these customs? What makes the Lunar New Year celebration unique and what makes it universal?
social studies, cultural connections, arts, myths & legends, folktales
virtual field trip
$125.00 per Group for Private School
$100.00 per Group for Public School
$75.00 per Group for Title I School
MOCA has a growing collection of over 85,000 artifacts and ephemera that document the Chinese American diaspora including audio/video recordings, books, documents, oral histories, photographs, textiles, etc. dating back to the early 1900s.
On January 23, 2020, a fire destroyed the iconic building at 70 Mulberry Street in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown. The building was home to MOCA’s collections and research center, where the entirety of the 85,000+ objects comprising our archives were stored. With the guidance, support, and aid of several New York City agencies and over 400 volunteers, MOCA was able to recover 95% of our archives. However, we estimate that over 73% of the collections will need restoration. The materials, which have been professionally dried, are now housed and being cared for at the MOCA Workshop, our newly renovated collections and research center located at 3 Howard Street.
Tour our 3 Howard Street facility with the MOCA Collections Team.
immigration, social studies, government & civics, arts, primary sources, research
tour groups
$75.00 per Group for Adults
$75.00 per Group for Postsecondary School