Chashama's Mission
Chashama helps create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world by partnering with property owners to transform unused real estate. These spaces are used for artists, small businesses, and for free community-centric art classes. Learn more about Chashama's programming on our website.
Looking for an artist studio? Join our Space to Create studio waitlist by completing this form. Joining the waitlist means that as spaces become available, you’ll receive emails to sign up for viewings.
Please note that following applications are currently closed:
- Visual Arts Exhibitions
- Storefront Startup
We recommend following @chashama on Instagram or subscribing to our monthly newsletter to be notified about new opportunities.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11.59pm EST, January 15th, 2025
Open call for 2025 Residency Seasons.
ChaNorth, Chashama's upstate artist residency has been located just outside of Pine Plains, NY in the Hudson Valley since 2006.
ChaNorth accepts applications in all creative fields, including but not limited to VISUAL ARTS, WRITING, MUSIC COMPOSITION, CHOREOGRAPHY, AND PERFORMANCE.
Each month-long session has up to 7 artists, which ChaNorth curates with the aim of creating small, dynamic, diverse, interactive groups. National and international artists are welcome to apply.
FELLOWSHIP AND EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES:
- a solo show award
- an annual curated alumni show.
- one fellowship award, per season, for a young artist under 30
- one Paradice Palase fellowship, Eligibility: PARADICE PALASE member for 6 months or longer.
Founded in 2017, PARADICE PALASE has evolved into an online & NYC-based community for visual artists who are pursuing a career in the notoriously mysterious field of contemporary art. Through access to peer networking, industry connections, professional development & guidance, and opportunities to share their work, we equip artists to move their careers forward in the world’s most opaque creative industry.
Both the solo show and the group show are presented, the following year, at Chashama exhibition spaces in New York City.
GUEST VISITORS PROGRAM: During the ChaNorth residency, artists have multiple opportunities to share their work and network with others, including 2-3 studio visits per session from critics, curators, gallerists, and residency directors. Previous studio visitors have included:
- Jack Geary, Owner and Founder, and Dolly Bross Geary, Owner and Director - Geary Gallery
- Hayley Ferber, independent curator, educator and artist
- Rachel Owens, Associate Professor of Art & Design and Chair of the Sculpture Department at SUNY Purchase College
- Taraka Larson, musician, artist and poet
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Artist Talks at the Pine Plains Free Library and Creative Workshops
We are looking into how to restart safely our community engagement. If you wish to be considered for a community workshop, please fill out the section on the application form. We are meeting with the Pine Plains community and looking into restarting our community program, safely for everyone.
- McEnroe Organic Farm Work Exchange
Fostering community engagement, ChaNorth collaborates with McEnroe Organic Farm’s Education Garden where resident artists are asked to participate in 3 hours of work exchange each week. In return, our shared kitchen is stocked with fresh, seasonal produce and whole grains. Shared meals act as the anchor of the program.
- Upstate Art Weekend July 17 - 21, 2025
Upstate Art Weekend is a connective annual event, celebrating the cultural vibrancy of Upstate New York. UPAW launched in 2020 with 23 participants, expanding to over 145 in 2024. The participants are art organizations, galleries, museums, residencies, and studios. UPAW attracts thousands of visitors to the region and has been featured in The New York Times, Artnet News, The Art Newspaper, Hyperallergic, Chronogram, Cool Hunting, and Whitewall, among others.
ChaNorth is a Self-Directed Residency. The residency program offers space, time, and inspiration to make new work, providing artists with networking, exhibition, and teaching opportunities and at the same time promoting interest, awareness, and understanding of visual arts in a rural community through engagement with the artists.
Cost of Residency:
- four-week session: $1300;
- The new two-week session will be held in April: $ 650
No Application Fee
The actual cost of each residency is $5,000 per month. Thanks to the generous support of donors and grants, the artist’s contribution for an individual residency is $ 1300 per month per person. Our Young Artist Fellowship awards a no-fee one-month residency to one resident each summer.
Residency fee includes:
- private room
- private studio
- fully stocked kitchen, you can find the food list: FAQ
The fee does not include:
- transportation costs to and from chaNorth, except one scheduled pick up and drop off at the Wassaic or the Rhinecliff Train Station on the day of arrival and the last day of the residency
- artists' materials cost
Jury Panelists will be announced soon.
Artists enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs at the time of their application are not eligible to apply to ChaNorth.
The application process is in two stages: shortlisted artists will be asked for a 10 -15 minute Skype/phone interview to be scheduled from February-March 2025
What you will need to apply
- Third-person paragraph Artist Statement ( 100 words)
- Third-person paragraph Bio ( 100 words)
- Statement of Interest in chaNorth Residency: ( max. 150 words )
- CV ( max 2 pages )
- Work Samples, including a work-in-progress, studio image, if you do not have a studio currently, work-in-progress image. It helps us to see your process and think suitable studio for your practice.
- 1 professional reference
- workshop program, if you wish to apply to be considered to lead a workshop at the Pine Plains Free Library or other community venues in Pine Plains.
For collaborative artists wishing to share studios/accommodations
and all other questions should be directed to chanorth@chashama.org.
PLEASE review the FAQ section of our website before emailing us!
*Image: Feels Like a New Beginning, A Selected Group Show, featuring the diverse work of alumni of the ChaNorth residency program. One Brooklyn Bridge Park, NY, Chashama Space to Present.
Applications for Space to Connect - Chashama TAI @ the Jamaica T-Building are accepted on a twice-a-year basis.
Thank you for your interest in Chashama's Space to Connect - Chashama TAI @ the Jamaica T-Building
Space to Connect's chashama TAI [Teaching Artist Incubator] provides teaching artists with space to develop their artistic craft in addition to the opportunity to conduct community workshops to strengthen their classroom/program management skills. By providing host populations with workshops, our teaching artists work with various ethnicities, age groups, and creative levels. The program enables teaching artists to grow as they discover and respond to the artistic interests and needs of the host population. The overall goal is to be a regional teaching artist incubator focused on broadening cultural and artistic development while delivering high-quality workshops to the community.
The T-Building in Jamaica, Queens is a high-quality affordable housing complex that was built out of an old hospital on the Queens Hospital campus. The building will have approximately 1,000 tenants, which will translate into being a small town where we have been brought in to provide art workshops, exhibitions, and art services. The building, built in 1938, transformed from a cutting-edge hospital, will have a second life as an amazing and vibrant new community. Through the Yeh Gallery @ St John's and Queens College, our nearby regional educational partners, we will broaden the access to art for the building's population.
About the Studio Workspaces:
• The facility is located at 82-41 Parsons Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens, NY 11432
• 7 ground floor workspaces have been newly renovated
• Studio sizes vary, but are approximately 18' x 12'.
• Each space includes a large window that can be opened for fresh air.
• Closest MTA stops:
(1) Q25 & Q34 Parsons Blvd/82 Dr. Bus stop and Parsons Blvd/Village Rd Bus stop
(2) Q46, QM1, QM5, QM6, QM7, QM8, QM31, QM35, QM36 Union Tpke/Parsons Blvd Bus stop
(3) E & F Parsons Blvd. Subway stop
About the Community Programming:
• The workshops will be held on-site in the various community spaces of the T-Building.
• We will also have gallery exhibitions at the Yeh Gallery @ St. John's University and Queens College, which are our regional educational partners.
• The building's population may speak a number of different languages. People who can speak multiple languages are a plus.
Required Materials:
- Resume or CV
- 5-8 Images or video of recent work
- 3 professional references - name, contact information, and how you know each other
- Description of your artistic practice - include materials, methods, typical size of work, etc.
- Description of your past experience with creative community involvement (ex. teaching experience, community work, public art with community participation, hosting workshops, hosting community events, etc.) Please include dates and locations if possible.
- Documentation of photos/videos you might have of your previous creative community involvement.
- Description of your approach to artistic community work.
- Proposal for community programming. A complete proposal will include (1) a clear description of your workshop/class/program ideas, (2) age ranges best suited for your program, and (3) a brief materials list.
Important things to note:
• Jamaica region-based artists who are committed to practicing their art while also seeking teaching artist opportunities, and inspiring the local community are encouraged to apply.
• The program will provide workshops on visual arts, various crafts, how to "green-up" your life [a workshop on bringing more plants into an environment for beautification and food], and movement wellness. The range of workshops will be based on the combined skills of the staff of teaching artists.
• Long-term Jamaica region-based artists receive priority in this program.
• Teaching artists will be required to provide at least one (1) 2-hour workshop per month.
• Each teaching artist residency contract is for 2 years and has the possibility of being renewed.
• Workshops should be designed for residents to drop into as they are available.
• There is a very limited program budget, however access to Materials for the Arts is available.
• There is a $150 Security Deposit due at the time of signing for a studio workspace. Deposits are refunded in full if the workspace is returned in the same condition as it was received.
• Applications are accepted on a twice a year basis. We are building a network of teaching artists to work with our regional workshop programming.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Darryl@chashama.org if you have any issues or questions regarding this form. We are happy to support you throughout the application process.
Applications for Space to Connect: Washington Heights are accepted on a rolling basis.
Thank you for your interest in Chashama's Space to Connect - Washington Heights program.
Chashama in collaboration with Shamah Properties is offering Work Space to artists for free in exchange for creating and delivering dynamic educational and/or cultural programming for the residents of 535-539 West 162nd Street.
Washington Heights based artists who are committed to practicing their art while also engaging, teaching and inspiring the local community are encouraged to apply. Long term Washington Heights based artists receive priority in this program.
About the Workspaces:
• 4 ground floor workspaces have been newly renovated
• Each space includes windows and access to a bathroom
• The workspaces are located at 539 West 162nd Street
• The Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center, NY Presbyterian Hospital, Colombia University Medical Centers, Word Up Bookstore and PS 4 are all nearby
• Closest train stops - 163rd St (C) or 157th/168th St (1)
About the Community Programming:
• Each artist will offer 1 workshop per month, 12 per year
• The workshops will be held in the lobby of 539 West 162nd Street
• Many residents speak Spanish as their primary language, so most workshops will be held either in Spanish or bilingually - English/Spanish.
Required Materials:
- Resume or CV
- 5-8 Images or video of recent work
- 3 professional references - name, contact information, and how you know each other
- Description of your artistic practice - include materials, methods, typical size of work, etc.
- Description of your past experience with creative community involvement (ex. teaching experience, community work, public art with community participation, hosting workshops, hosting community events, etc.) Please include dates and locations if possible.
- Documentation of photos/videos you might have of your previous creative community involvement.
- Description of your approach to artistic community work.
- Proposal for community programming. A complete proposal will include (1) a clear description of your workshop/class/program ideas, (2) age ranges best suited for your program and (3) a brief materials list.
Important things to note:
• Proposed workshops must be able to work within the small lobby space available. There is room for a maximum of 3 folding tables but on average artists use just 1 or 2.
• Visual arts workshops are best suited to this space and program. There is very little space for dance, performance, theater, etc.
• Workshops should be designed for residents to drop into as they are available.
• There is a very limited program budget, however access to Materials for the Arts is available.
• There is a $150 Security Deposit due at the time of signing for a workspace. Deposits are refunded in full, if the workspace is returned in the same condition as it was received.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. We reach out to applicants only when there is a vacancy in the program.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to spacetoconnect@chashama.org if you have any issues or questions regarding this form. We are happy to support you throughout the application process.
Chashama is looking for a small business to set up a storefront within the MTA subway system! Please see the project details below. There are two (2) potential spaces available.
*You will not be able to choose which storefront you are assigned.
Space Details
Address: The specific address cannot be revealed until the business is selected.
Space: Please click here for photos of each space. Space 1: Approx. 400 sq ft. Space 2: Approx. 180 sq ft.
*NOTE: The spaces will be cleaned and minor repairs will be made. Otherwise, the space is given as-is.
Period: Month to month, beginning in March 2025.
What You Need to Know Before Applying:
Requirements:
- Submitting your proposal indicates that your business is move-in ready.
- Businesses must be open to the public for a minimum of 4 days per week.
- Any products/artwork visible from the street (through windows, et cetera) must be appropriate for all ages.
- Businesses are fully responsible for the installation and de-installation of their storefront, and setting up any technical equipment or displays. Chashama does not provide product transportation, hanging materials, or tools.
- Businesses are responsible for leaving the space in the same condition that they received it in, or better; Chashama provides materials for restoration.
- All materials used for decoration must be (or be able to meet through treatment) certified flameproofing standards as per FDNY and NFPA guidelines. Please click here for NYCT Fire Protection Requirements.
- All furniture/displays are subject to approval by the MTA.
- All businesses must go through a background check by the MTA.
Fees:
- Percentage of sales: 10% of monthly gross sales
- Monthly administrative fee will occur after 3-6 months in the space.
- Utilities: Business is responsible for all utility costs associated with the space.
- Wi-Fi: Monthly fee of $64.99. Alternatively, Businesses can choose to provide their own wifi, or use station wifi if sufficient.
Materials you will need for applying:
- Business vision (250 words or less)
- Storefront design plan (250 words or less)
- Information about your business and its needs
- 5 images of your products/services
If selected, Chashama will reach out approximately 1-2 months beforehand and hold an interview before moving forward. We will request further documentation including financial statements.
Questions?
Please submit your application before contacting our office. We'd like to see your application to best assist you. Contact: programs@chashama.org. Please note, only selected applicants will be contacted. We prioritize proposals that best work within our spaces.
Thank you!
Chashama is looking for a Small Business interested in occupying a beautiful space located in Grand Central - Upper Concourse.
Space Details
Address: Grand Central Terminal
Space: Please click here for photos. Approx. 383sq ft.
Period: 1-year term, beginning in February.
What You Need to Know Before Applying
MONTHLY FEES:
- Grand Central monthly fees: $1,000 + 15% of sales
- Chashama monthly administrative fee: $500
- Wifi: Monthly wifi fee of $64.99. Alternatively, Businesses can choose to provide their own wifi.
- Security deposit: All spaces require a refundable $250-$500 deposit. *Deposit amount is dependent on the scope of work.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Submitting your proposal indicates that your business is move-in ready.
- Businesses must be open to the public for a minimum of 30 hours per week
- Any products/artwork visible from the street (through windows, et cetera) must be appropriate for all ages.
- Businesses are fully responsible for the installation and de-installation of their storefront, and setting up any technical equipment or displays. Chashama does not provide product transportation, hanging materials, or tools.
- Businesses are responsible for leaving the space in the same condition that they received it in, or better; Chashama provides materials for restoration.
- All furniture/displays is subject to approval by Grand Central.
- All businesses must go through a background check by Grand Central.
Materials you will need for applying:
- Business vision (250 words or less)
- Storefront design plan (250 words or less)
- Information about your business and its needs
- 5 images of your products/services
If selected, Chashama will reach out approximately 1-2 months beforehand and conduct an interview before moving forward. We will request further documentation including financial statements.
Questions?
Please submit your application before contacting our office. We'd like to see your application to best assist you. Contact: programs@chashama.org. Please note, only selected applicants will be contacted. We prioritize proposals that best work within our spaces.