Chashama

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chashama, which is always spelled with a lowercase 'c', is a non-profit arts organization based in New York City. One of its primary functions within the arts community is to provide low or no cost real estate for artists to create or present their works. chashama began in 1995 as a performing arts group, and has since expanded to include visual arts as well. Anita Durst, daughter of Douglas Durst (of the large New York real estate company The Durst Organization) founded chashama in 1995, and currently acts as its artistic director.

Through chashama's A.R.E.A. (Accessing Real Estate for the Arts) program, and Ms. Durst's connections with real estate, chashama activates spaces that would otherwise be vacant. In New York City, it is estimated that 10% of commercial space is vacant. chashama fills a few of those spaces on a limited basis for 2-6 months at a time.

chashama runs a variety of programs to better serve the emerging artist community in NYC. They include:

  • Using temporarily vacant storefront windows for free, public installations and performances
  • Providing subsidized or free rehearsal and performance space
  • Providing subsidized artist's studios
  • Presenting a variety of visual artist exhibitions throughout the year

For more information about chashama's programming and presentations, please go to chashama.org[1]

[edit] Meanings of chashama

The meaning of "chashama" depends on whom you ask. According to Ms. Durst, chashama (pronounced: cha-SHA-ma) is Persian for "to have vision". Although, some say it is an Arabic word that means "shame" others say it means "from the eye" (Persian: Chashm'a) or "spring outlet" (Persian: Chesh'ma). There are many more theories of spelling, pronunciation, and meaning.

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