Chashama
Lydia M. has extensive experience in operations management, finance, and administrative roles within non-profit and corporate sectors. Currently serving as a Board Member on the Finance & Audit Committee for Chashama since April 2017, Lydia previously held multiple positions at The Durst Organization from November 2016 to January 2024, culminating as Office Operations Manager. Notable contributions include serving as Treasurer on the Executive Committee of Coney Island USA and working as a Financial & Transition Management Consultant during a critical organizational transition. Lydia's career at Chashama spanned from August 2010 to October 2016, where responsibilities included general management, office administration, and development finance. Additional early career positions in gallery management and hospitality further complement Lydia's diverse skill set. Educational credentials include a Certificate in Data Visualization and two Bachelor's degrees in Business Administration and Art History from Stony Brook University, along with an Associate's degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
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Chashama
We support artists by partnering with property owners to transform unused real estate into space for artists to create, present, and connect with the mission to increase equity and bolster diversity in the arts. For over two decades, Chashama has played a central role in sustaining New York’s vibrant artistic community by giving space to 20,000 artists, hosting 4,000 public art events, providing 1,500 free art classes in underserved communities, and reaching an audience of nearly 1 million. We envision a cultural ecosystem that’s representative and supportive of diverse communities. We want New York to be a place where all artists— aspiring, emerging, and established— feel supported, valued, and encouraged. It was founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Anita Durst to remedy what she observed to be the greatest threat artists faced: the lack of affordable space. Since its inception Chashama has worked collaboratively with artists, property owners, and the New York community to activate space and support under-resourced communities, establishing itself as a well-regarded cultural force on a mission to increase access to the arts for all.