chashama announces launch of new program Accessing Real Estate for the Arts (AREA) at 2013 Gala

NEW YORK - May 16, 2013 - PRLog -- 2013 chashama Gala: Space to Create
Monday, June 10th 6:00-9:30 p.m.
After Party 9:30-Midnight

Anita’s Way on 132 West 43rd Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway between the Condé Nast building and the Bank of America Tower

On June 10th, chashama invites New York City’s artistic avant-garde to meet and mingle with real estate and corporate executives, and philanthropic leaders near Times Square for the Party of the Year.  This unique Gala celebrates chashama’s success in providing essential performance, exhibit, and work space to thousands of performing and visual artists.

chashama’s new program, Accessing Real Estate for the Arts (AREA), will transform underutilized properties in all five boroughs into vibrant artist communities.  For two decades chashama has transformed vacant properties into studio, performance, and exhibition spaces, supporting 10,000 artists of all genres, giving them “space to create.”

Currently, chashama (the word means ‘to have vision’ in Farsi) manages almost $2 million worth of donated space – 200 artist studios, five galleries and three performance venues.  With the launch of AREA, chashama will convert hundreds of additional unused spaces into dynamic community and studio spaces benefiting thousands of artists, youth and community groups.

The Gala celebration on June 10th will kick off a week prior on June 3rd when chashama Artistic Director Anita Durst rings the NASDAQ closing bell.  The bell also launches an hour-long display of chashama's artistically provocative “public service announcement” (PSA) visuals on the NASDAQ Tower and TS2 (Reuters) screens, and the Marquee on the NASDAQ building.  On June 10th, Gala guests will arrive at Anita’s Way at 6:00 pm.  The excitement continues with the launch of an online auction hosted by Charity Buzz – the auction offers amazing one-of-a-kind experiences.  All proceeds from the Gala and the Auction provide essential funding for chashama’s innovative artistic programs.

For the very special Gala evening, Anita’s Way – the stunning through-block between the Condé Nast building and the Bank of America tower in the heart of Times Square – transforms into a one-of-a-kind living, interactive, fabulous performance venue. The gourmet food will be prepared by James Beard awardee Charlie Palmer’s Aureole and served from the adjacent restaurant.  Featuring a remarkable cast of performers, the event will showcase daring works by New York’ most provocative – and entertaining – avant-garde artists presented by Anita Durst with the assistance of Abby Hertz of AHz Concepts, and Winkel & Balktick. The VIP guests will include 450 of our City’s most forward-thinking land owners, corporate executives, philanthropists, committed enthusiasts, and innovative artists.

The evening continues with a late-night dance party – The Wear Your Art Party. The Wear Your Art Party will be a wild celebration bringing together gallery owners, leaders of arts organizations and collectives, and, of course, many renowned artists, who will all gather to toast New York City's vibrant art scene.

Founder and Artistic Director Anita Durst said, “This Gala offers an extraordinary experience for our guests.  Gala guests will be invited to create their own art and to interact with the performers throughout the evening as they flow through the party space.  And our supporters have the deep satisfaction of knowing that their participation makes chashama’s unique programs possible.  They give artists what they need most – space to create. “

All proceeds from the evening help chashama:

Ø  provide space grants worth over $2M to artists and youth

Ø  support 300 creative individuals each day

Ø  present 180 public events per year

chashama Board of Directors: Casey Childs; Anita Durst; Rachel Fleit; CJ Follini; David M. Glanstein; Monica Greenberg; Staci Levine; Michael Maher; Nancy Packes; Christopher G. Pappas; Richard P. Rubinstein; Gavin Steinberg

2013 chashama Gala Underwriters:

The Durst Organization
Mutual of America
Tishman Speyer Properties
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope
Anchin, Block & Anchin, LLP
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
Rosenberg & Estis, P.C.
CBRE, Inc.
Chicago Title Insurance Company
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP
Thacher & Associates LLC

For information about the chashama Gala and to purchase tickets, visit chashama.org/gala2013

ABOUT CHASHAMA:

chashama, which means “to have vision” in Farsi, was founded by Anita Durst in 1995 to support visual, performing, and multi-media artists through creative space redistribution. Working in close partnership with the real estate industry, chashama reclaims unused properties and transforms them into creative work and presentation spaces. Landowners donate temporarily vacant properties that chashama recycles into creative hubs, and grants to artists, organizations, and youth arts programs without any cost or at highly subsidized rates.  Currently, chashama manages 200 artist studios, five galleries, and three performance venues. In the past year, chashama distributed $2 million worth of space to over 500 artists, reaching an audience of nearly 200,000. Please join us at www.chashama.org.