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.