Membership
China Institute Membership: Be a part of the go-to place for all things China!
Be a China Institute insider today: Access knowledge and the wisdom of Chinese authors, artists and entrepreneurs through our programs. Experience Chinese culture through masterworks spanning from today and going back over three millennia in our world-class Gallery. Participate in exchanges between business executives, thought leaders and innovators that illuminate the dynamic Chinese economic landscape. Enroll in languages classes for all ages and adult courses in Chinese history, humanities, calligraphy and Tai Chi, to name a few – at our School of Chinese Studies.
Your membership helps support China Institute’s reach and impact across the U.S. and around the world, deepening understanding between the U.S. and China.
Membership Benefits Include:
- Discounts on our outstanding language programs and classes for children and adults
- Discounts on our extensive programs in arts, culture, cuisine, and business that capture China beyond the headlines
- Members-only access to groundbreaking exhibition in the China Institute Gallery
- Invitations to member-only events
- Special member newsletter for upcoming programs, classes and activities
- 25% discount on Gallery exhibition catalogs
- Exclusive opportunities to socialize with other members
View levels and benefits below.
For information about membership, including Food and Wine members, CINGS membership, and membership for IDNYC card holders, please contact us by email at membership@chinainstitute.org or by phone at (212) 744-8181 ext. 158.
IDNYC application form can be found here.
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
Membership at China Institute in America
China Institute offers individual memberships with benefits across all programs — arts, business, culinary, culture education, and much more! Join today to gain powerful insight to today’s China. For more information, contact membership@chinainstitute.org, or call (212) 744-8181, ext. 158.
- Complimentary admission to select programs, including arts & culture, business, fashion, food, film and more!
- Complimentary admission to Renwen Society lectures (conducted in Mandarin)
- Unlimited complimentary admission to China Institute Gallery
- 25% off discount on all Gallery publications
- Discount at Jiangnan Chinese Cuisine Restaurant (with valid Membership cards)
- Discount on admission to fee-based programs
- Discount on tuition for classes at School of Chinese Studies
- *Seniors, students, and educators with valid photo IDs may enroll as Individuals at $65 (one membership card, $65 tax-deductible)
- All the benefits for Individual Membership
- Reciprocal admission to nearly 1,000 arts, cultural, and educational institutions
- **Seniors with valid photo IDs may enroll as Duals at $135 (two membership cards, $135 tax-deductible)
- All the benefits for Individual Membership
- Reciprocal admission to nearly 1,000 arts, cultural, and educational institutions
- All the benefits for Dual/Family Membership
- Reciprocal admission to nearly 1,000 arts, cultural, and educational institutions
- All the benefits for Red Envelope Membership
- One (1) membership gift at INDIVIDUAL level
- Invitation to VIPs Gallery Opening Receptions
- ***Young Professional (aged 40 and under) with valid photo IDs can enroll at $250 (two membership cards, $116 tax-deductible)
- All the benefit for Jade Box Membership
- Invitations to attend annual special events
- Invitations to VIP programs and events
- Trial class in School of Chinese Studies eclectic courses
- ****Young Professional (aged 40 and under) with valid photo IDs can enroll at $500 (two membership cards, $366 tax-deductible)
Introducing the CI Club: Exclusive Membership Circle
Opening in Fall 2024, the CI Club is a private, members-only space in China Institute in America, a hub with heritage and an exclusive opportunity for members to interact, network, entertain and exchange ideas.
Based in the Institute’s Lower Manhattan headquarters, a 50,000-square-foot property just steps away from Wall Street and the World Trade Center, the CI Club is a haven of refinement and comfort.
JOIN US TODAY!
Membership levels include Food & Wine, Premier, and Founding with benefits as noted:
For information and a brochure regarding Founding Member with select special benefits, please contact Tom O’Handley 歐涵禮, Chief Development Officer at tohandley@chinainstitute.org
FOOD & WINE members
Food is an important aspect of Chinese culture, a lens through which we learn about the history and culture of its many regions – join us today!
Initiation fee is one-time, annual dues are included in the first year with the initiation fee
- Monthly gourmet events at China Institute or in restaurants with discussion with leading chefs, hosted in New York and San Francisco (price of dinner not included)
- Special invitations to culinary center pop-up restaurants (price of dinner not included)
- Invitation to monthly tea, wine, and snack tasting (food charges may apply)
- Invitation to monthly Hu Shi Salon discussions, in person or online (salons alternate between New York and San Francisco)
- Complimentary admission to all China Institute public lectures and programs
- Discount on tuition for classes at School of Chinese Studies including online Chinese tutorial classes
Initiation fee is one-time, annual dues are included in the first year with the initiation fee
- Monthly gourmet events at China Institute or in restaurants with discussion with leading chefs, hosted in New York and San Francisco (price of dinner not included)
- Special invitations to culinary center pop-up restaurants (price of dinner not included)
- Invitation to monthly tea, wine, and snack tasting (food charges may apply)
- Invitation to monthly Hu Shi Salon discussions, in person or online (salons alternate between New York and San Francisco)
- Complimentary admission to all China Institute public lectures and programs
- Discount on tuition for classes at School of Chinese Studies including online Chinese tutorial classes
PREMIER members
Be with us and have exclusive access to the Club Space at China Institute in America second floor!
Initiation fee is one-time, annual dues are included in the first year with the initiation fee
- Includes all benefits of the Food & Wine membership above
- Usage of a CI concierge service at NYC for reservations
- Special invitations to private events, and dinners with visiting program speakers, thought leaders, and VIPS
- No corkage fee for wine or alcohol used at China Institute
- Opportunity for rental discount for meeting rooms, private dining, and party spaces
Initiation fee is one-time, annual dues are included in the first year with the initiation fee
- Includes all benefits of the Food & Wine membership above
- Usage of a CI concierge service at NYC for reservations
- Special invitations to private events, and dinners with visiting program speakers, thought leaders, and VIPS
- No corkage fee for wine or alcohol used at China Institute
- Opportunity for rental discount for meeting rooms, private dining, and party spaces
China Institute Next Gen x Serica (CINGS)
The China Institute Next Gen x Serica (CINGS) convenes next generation leaders with a passion for tangible social and environmental impact through connecting and inspiring like-minded leaders to create actionable change.
CINGS was created to serve as a forum for young professionals and leaders to build meaningful connections, engage in strategic philanthropy, participate in meaningful dialogues with the hopes of bridging cultures through these exchanges.
To learn more about CINGS, click here.
To apply for membership, click here.
For membership questions, please contact: membership@chinainstitute.org
China Institute Next Gen x Serica (CINGS) Membership (application only)
- Serve an ambassadorial role, promoting CINGS’ mission, goals, and accomplishments to professional and personal networks, as well as building cultural bridges
- Join at least one (1) CINGS Committee
- Participate in regular dialogues, programs, networking events, and annual Philanthropy conference
- China Institute in America benefits: complimentary admission to select programs, including arts, business, culture, cuisine, film and more.
- Complimentary admission to Renwen Society lectures (conducted in Mandarin)
- Unlimited complimentary admission to China Institute Gallery
- 25% off discount on all Gallery publications
- Discount on admission to fee-based programs
- Discount on tuition for classes at School of Chinese Studies
China Institute Next Gen x Serica (CINGS) Membership (application only)
Young Professionals at China Institute
China Institute Young Professionals are comprised of a diverse group of young philanthropic professionals who support and celebrate the Institute’s mission of advancing a deeper understanding of China through programs in education, culture, business and art in the belief that cross-cultural understanding strengthens our global community.
- Must be aged 40 or under with valid photo IDs
- Enjoy all the benefits available for Jade Box ($888) members that include:
- Complimentary admission to select programs, including arts & culture, business, fashion, food, film and more!
- Unlimited complimentary admission to China Institute Gallery
- 25% off discount on all Gallery publications
- Discount at Jiangnan Chinese Cuisine Restaurant (with valid Membership cards)
- Discount on admission to fee-based programs
- Discount on tuition for classes at School of Chinese Studies
- Reciprocal admission to nearly 1,000 arts, cultural, and educational institutions
- One (1) membership gift at INDIVIDUAL level
- Invitation to VIPs Gallery Opening Receptions
- Must be aged 40 or under with valid photo IDs
- Enjoy all the benefits available for Friends of the Gallery ($1,500) members that include:
- Complimentary admission to select programs, including arts & culture, business, fashion, food, film and more!
- Unlimited complimentary admission to China Institute Gallery
- 25% off discount on all Gallery publications
- Discount at Jiangnan Chinese Cuisine Restaurant (with valid Membership cards)
- Discount on admission to fee-based programs
- Discount on tuition for classes at School of Chinese Studies
- Reciprocal admission to nearly 1,000 arts, cultural, and educational institutions
- One (1) membership gift at INDIVIDUAL level
- Invitation to VIPs Gallery Opening Receptions
- Invitations to attend annual special events
- Invitations to VIP programs and events
- Trial class in School of Chinese Studies eclectic courses
Benefactors of China Institute
Become our China Institute Benefactors to gain special access and exclusive value throughout the year that include invitations to attend annual special events and VIP programs, trial class in School of Chinese Studies eclectic courses, VIP admission to attend Executive Summit, and more! For more information, contact membership@chinainstitute.org or call (212) 744-8181, ext. 158.
Patron’s Circle $1,500-$4,999 (two membership cards)
President’s Circle $5,000-$9,999 (two membership cards)
Chair’s Circle $10,000+ (two membership cards)
Renwen Society
Renwen Society is a membership group for people who wish to support our mission, and attend the Saturday afternoon lecture series, delivered in Mandarin Chinese, and other special Chinese language events.
All benefits are for one-year and for one adult; membership is 100% tax-deductible.
For information about membership, please contact the Membership Office at (212) 744-8181, ext. 158, or email membership@chinainstitute.org
Click here to see photos from Renwen Society events.
- Unlimited complimentary admission for member to Renwen Society lectures (delivered in Mandarin)
- Unlimited complimentary admission for member to China Institute Gallery
- Invitation for 2 to biannual Members’ Gallery Opening Receptions
- NEW: Complimentary admission for member to 15+ public programs
(free film screenings, author talks, cultural lectures) - Member discount on other arts and cultural public programs, including new Gourmet Food Circle
- Member discount on business programs
- Member discount on adult classes at China Institute’s School of Chinese Studies
(e.g., language, brush painting and calligraphy) - NEW: Two guest passes to attend exhibitions or public programs
- Advance notice of programs, special events, classes, and new offerings via email alerts
- 10% discount at China Institute Gift Shop
- NEW: 10% discount at Jiangnan Chinese Cuisine Restaurant** with China Institute membership card
- Subscription to China Institute e-newsletter (monthly)