Moki Tantoco

Moki Tantoco (they) is an educator and artist creating curriculum and programming exploring socially engaged art practices through interdisciplinary mediums such as bookbinding, writing, performance, and installation. Moki has more than a decade of experience as a museum administrator and educator, community organizer, teaching artist, curriculum developer, historian, and researcher working with youth, families, and veterans in Illinois, USA. In May 2021, Moki was awarded the Outstanding Commitment in Arts and Humanity in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.

Moki works with Kids Rank creating programming for military-connected families and children. They are very excited about launching a national arts curriculum with Kids Rank, bringing awareness to the mental health of military children called the Masks of Hope Project. Moki is currently researching post 9/11 veteran artists' place in contemporary art history, loves volunteering in youth and veteran spaces, and working as an advocate for the veteran and military-connected community. Moki enjoys wandering, cooking, traveling, and book exchanges.