Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
338 Lighthouse Avenue 
Staten Island, NY 10306 
(718) 987-3500
www.tibetanmuseum.org

The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art was designed, built and founded by Jacques Marchais, a visionary American woman who was an important collector and respected expert on Tibetan art. The complex of buildings and gardens resembles a Tibetan mountain monestary and represents the first Himalayan style architecture built in the United States. The museum is the realization of Marchais' dream to provide a peaceful retreat where the public could study the art and culture of Tibet.

Terraced sculpture gardens, a lily and fish pond, and a distant view of the lower Hudson Bay add to the atmosphere of serenity and beauty. The Tibetan Museum is unique in displaying its art in a setting especially conducive to its understanding and enjoyment. 

The objects showcased are Tibetan, Nepalese, Tibeto-Chinese, and Mongolian in origin, and date primarily from the 17th to 19th centuries or earlier. The collections are rich in metal figures of deities and lamas, as well as in thangka paintings. There are also notable examples of jewel-encrusted Nepalese metalwork, a set of silver ceremonial implements, jewelry, dance masks, and imperial Chinese cloisonne decorative objects. 

The Museum is a beautiful place for a family visit and offers a host of opportunities for cultural enrichment for people of all ages. Throughout the year there are special exhibitions and activities (weekends) with something of interest to just about everyone. 

A fine educational resource for School Groups, the Museum presents a number of programs for grades 1 through college covering topics such as an introduction to Tibetan art and culture; symbols and hand gestures used in Tibetan art; the Dalai Lama of Tibet; and environmental problems facing the beautiful Tibetan Plateau. 

Programs are conducted in two parts. The first consists of a Museum teacher visiting the classroom for a hands-on introductory lesson. Part 2 takes place at the Museum and goes into detail on the subject being covered, and this includes an art workshop. In addition to the program, a 17 page teacher's guide is sent to the teacher beforehand. There are also special programs for the visually impaired. 

This museum has been called "One of New York's best kept secrets." Still, it runs a busy schedule, and teachers are advised to reserve programs well in advance. They will find it is worth the wait.