CHINA INSTITUTE IN AMERICA

China Institute fosters a deepened understanding of China through programs in education, culture, art, and business. These include world-class Gallery exhibitions; education and teacher training services; humanities-themed public programs; family-friendly open houses and festivals; and forums for business dialogue.

In 2015, the Institute moved from a 9,000-square-foot townhouse to a two-floor, 52,000-square foot facility in Lower Manhattan that is being renovated in phases. Resources gained in its new and enhanced physical space are enabling the Institute to re-imagine the spectrum of its programming and allow us to serve a larger and more diverse community, thereby meeting the growing interests and needs of its global constituents.

Build-out to date of our new downtown facility has concentrated on its second floor, and included installation of the following: a five-classroom, state-of-the-art education center that doubles as spaces for meetings and public events; a climate-controlled China Institute Gallery suitable for displaying fragile art treasures; a foyer that can be purposed for receptions and public programs; staff offices; and the Institute’s entrance/lobby spaces.

In 2019, second floor renovations will be completed with construction of two additional classrooms and three multi-purpose spaces. These will be outfitted with technology supporting a variety of public programs (i.e. seminars, film screenings, and performances), pop-up exhibitions, and more. Capacity expansion will continue in 2019/20 with street level renovations that will permit use of our ground floor for public programming and other mission-driven services on a year-round basis; a new grand staircase will link the Institute’s two floors.

China Institute had been New York City’s premier educational and informational resource on China for decades before the opening of its vastly expanded physical headquarters in 2015. With this transformational change, the Institute both amplified its organizational visibility and heightened the profile of Lower Manhattan as a cultural destination.

Our new facility established an institutional and programmatic environment supporting the following institutional goals: the aggressive pursuit of new audiences; creating innovative responses to the needs of our rapidly expanding constituent base; and—at a time when the fostering of mutual trust and understanding between China and the U.S. has never been more important—heightening China Institute’s role and leadership in the global community.