Chashama supports artists by giving them space to create and present their work, while fostering community development through the arts.

Chashama was founded in 1995 in response to the  lack of affordable space for emerging artists in New York City. Through partnerships with property owners we re-purpose unused real estate into space for artists. Chashama gives artists work and presentation spaces, and provides free art workshops in underserved communities.

Your efforts have been critically important in allowing emerging artists to remain in New York. Just as importantly, you have improved neighborhoods by adding cultural amenities where empty spaces stood…”
Christine Quinn, Council of the City of New York
History
Chashama was founded in 1995 by Anita Durst to celebrate the legacy of theatre visionary Reza Abdoh. Chashama’s initial focus was on the production and presentation of new theatre. Recognizing that a lack of affordable space was the biggest threat to sustaining a diverse cultural environment in New York City, we began to work toward securing studio and presentation space in Midtown Manhattan for struggling artists by partnering with Property Owners that provide unused space to Chashama. In the first decade, we secured seven locations on 42nd street between 6th and Broadway, presenting over 700 shows.

Since then, we’ve moved from midtown Manhattan to the 5 boroughs and beyond, giving artists work and presentation spaces, as well as providing free art workshops in under served communities. Currently, we present 150 events a year, have workspace for 120 artists, and have developed 80 workshops in under served communities.
FAQ
Can I get a tax deduction for donating space?

Unfortunately, no

How can I intern at Chashama?

Email info@chashama.org with the subject line: Internship Opportunities and your request will be directed to the correct department

How can I volunteer at Chashama?

Email goro@chashama.org with the subject line: Volunteer Opportunities

How do I apply for presentation space?

Learn more about applying for our Space to Present Program here. When you apply online you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application. Your application remains valid and on file for two years.

How do I apply for workspace?

Learn more about applying for our Space to Create Program here.  When you apply online you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application.  Your application remains valid and on file for 3 years.

How do I donate space?

Contact Anita Durst at anita@chashama.org

How long can I have presentation space for?

Artists are granted space for 1-4 week periods; when applying, please stipulate if a specific term length is necessary for your project.

How long can I rent workspace for?

There is no time limit on your workspaces – as long as the space is available and all contract terms are abided by.

How much is rent for a workspace?

$1.00-2.50 per square feet per month. (Note: Price is based on location and amenities.)

I am a group/curator/nonprofit. Can we still apply for presentation space?

Yes. Include a representative sample of the works you’d like to exhibit. If you are a group, one person must act as your sole representative and be responsible for communicating with Chashama and overseeing logistical coordination of your presentation.

I applied for a presentation space. When can I expect to hear back?

You can expect to wait three months or up to two years for a presentation space. Applications are accepted year round.

I applied for a workspace. When can I expect to hear back?

You can expect to wait three months or up to three years for a workspace.  Applications are accepted year round, and you will be prompted to update your application each year, for up to three years.

Is there a fee to use a presentation space?

No! Space to Present is free, however we do require a fully refundable deposit ranging from $200 to $500.

What are the sizes of the workspaces?

Workspaces range from 90 square feet to 700 square feet. (Note: Most of our spaces average 400 square feet or less.)

What does Chashama do?

Chashama supports artists by giving them space to create and present their work. Chashama was founded in 1995 in response to the lack of affordable space for emerging artists in New York to create and present their work. Since then Chashama has activated over 80 unused properties, providing space to create and space to present to 15,000 artists. Chashama partners with property owners to repurpose unused commercial real estate into space for artists’ dreams to become reality.

What does Chashama mean?

Chashama (pronounced: sha-SHAH-ma) means “to have vision” in Farsi, a Persian language

What does Chashama provide when I am granted a presentation space?

Chashama provides assistance with marketing promotion across our social media networks and some art listing platforms. Otherwise, Chashama’s assistance functions strictly in an advisory capacity. Artists must be capable of installing and de-installing their own projects. Additionally, artists must keep his/her presentation space open for a minimum of 30 hours per week with a gallery sitter.

What mediums are not allowed in the workspaces?

Please refer to our list of prohibited materials, processes, equipment & furnishings in workspaces found here.

Where are your workspaces located?

Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Matawan,NJ and Pine Plains, NY!

Where can I find new opportunities to apply to exhibit my work?

Our space specific Requests for Proposals will be announced in the Newsletter, on our Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and on the Open Calls section of our website.

Where is Chashama located?

Our administrative office is located at 675 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017. We have spaces all over New York City, check out our most up-to-date locations here.

Supporters

We thank our supporters and partners who make artists’ dreams come true:



Current Funders
David Rockefeller Fund
M&T Bank
New York City Council Member Ben Kallos
New York City Council Member Carlos Menchaca
New York City Council Member Daniel Garodnick
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council
New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature
Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Past Funders
Alliance of Resident Theaters
American Chai Trust
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Carnegie Corporation
Con Edison
Dramatists Guild Foundation
Ford Foundation
Foundation for Contemporary Arts
Lambent/Tides Foundation
Lily Auchincloss Foundation
Mertz-Gilmore Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
New York City Council Member Christine Quinn
New York City Council Member Jessica Lappin
New York City Council Member Leroy Comrie
New York City Council Member Robert Jackson
New York City Council Member Sarah Gonzalez
New York Community Trust
Peg Santvoord Foundation
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
Steinberg Charitable Trust
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
The DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the Kennedy Center
Think!Chinatown

Partners
Compass
Fordham Bedford
IVY
NYCEDC
Orangenius
Quadra

Property Donors
Atlantic Development Corp.
Brause Realty, Inc.
Buchbinder & Warren Realty Group
C&K Properties
Cammeby's, LLC
DDG
Durst Organization
Ekstein Development LLC
Flagship Properties, LLC
Forest City Ratner
George Comfort & Sons, Inc.
Greater Jamaica Development Corp.
Harbor Group
HEC Real Estate
J & M Realty Services Corp.
Jack Resnick & Sons
JRT Realty
L+M Development Partners Inc.
Lower East Side Housing Coalition
New York City Economic Development Corp.
Newmark and Co. Real Estate
Oliver's Realty Group
RAL Companies
Rockrose Development Corp.
RXR Realty
Salt Equities
Stonehenge Management, LLC
The Janus Property Company
The Rizzuto Group
Vanke US

2017 Gala Sponsors

Leaders
Chicago Title Insurance Company
Mutual of America
Darren Perkell, Vice President Fidelity National Title
Darcy Stacom, CBRE

Visionaries
Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope
Rosenberg & Estis, P.C.

Innovators
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver, & Jacobson LLP
M&T Bank
One World Observatory and Legends
Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler
Pryor Cashman LLP
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
U.S. Immigration Fund & The Mastroianni Family
Weiler Arnow Investment Co

Creators
Environetics
Fred Geller Electrical, Inc.
Freedom Land Title Agency LLC
JC Contracting MGMT LLC
Patricia Lopinski
Lotus Equity Group
Newmark Holdings
Pentagram
RCG Longview
STUDIOS Architecture
Barbara Tober
Two Trees Management Co LLC
Willis Towers Watson

Corporate Partners
Anheuser-Busch
Aureole
Domaine Select Wine & Spirits
Harlem Brewing Company
Honor Wines
Orangenius
Quadra FS, Inc
SixPoint Brewery
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205 E 42nd St,
6th Fl.,
New York, NY 10017

info@chashama.org
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