HISTORY

Inspired by visionary theater artist Reza Abdoh, an Iranian-born creator of innovative large-scale stage spectacles known for their visual flamboyance and ferocious energy, and to continue his creative spirit after an early death, Anita Durst founded chashama (Farsi for "to have vision") in 1995. chashama’s inaugural production, Junior Black’s Office, was created by several members from Dar a Luz, Reza Abdoh’s production company. After the success of this production, Durst acquired a property at 135 West 42nd Street, and began composing her own productions. In poured a steady stream of requests from struggling artists asking to use the space in off-nights, and recognizing this clear presentation of need, Durst realized that the lack of affordable space was the greatest threat to sustaining a diverse, dynamic, and provocative cultural environment in New York City.

Her strategy to address this predicament was to find a way to connect artists with vacant real estate - redistributing the untapped resources available in our urban landscape by partnering with private and public property owners. By structuring a mission around this goal, and founding chashama, she has led us to become a major force in the NYC arts community by supporting the work and ideas of an increasing number of emerging artists every year. chashama continues to invent and provide an innovative infrastructure to support the work of artists, and cultivate fruitful real-estate relationships, as we strive to bridge the gap between the two.