Chashama
chashama, stylized 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 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. chashama has converted more than 40 locations, giving 7,500 artists access to subsidized space, which supported approximately 10,000 public presentations for over 500,000 viewers. Anita Durst, daughter of Douglas Durst, currently acts as its director.
Programs
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 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
Meanings of chashama
The meaning of "chashama" depends on whom you ask. According to Ms. Durst, chashama (pronounced: sha-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.
External links
chashama.org