Community Access to the Arts

Community Access to the Arts (CATA) is an innovative arts nonprofit that nurtures and celebrates the creativity of people with disabilities through the visual and performing arts. Our dedicated, professional staff works collaboratively to create powerful art, promote positive human connections, and lay the groundwork for social change. CATA serves 800 people with disabilities through workshops in painting, drawing, dance, theater/improv, singing, drumming, juggling, yoga, and creative writing. By sharing the extraordinary creativity of our CATA artists with the public in art shows and performances, CATA shines a light on the ability within disability. Fueled by strong partnerships with area organizations, CATA programs take place across Berkshire County, Massachusetts and Columbia County, New York. CATA recently completed a highly successful capital campaign and moved into a new, state-of-the-art facility housing staff and art programs. CATA was chosen for the highly competitive Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative and has received the Massachusetts Cultural Council Commonwealth Award, NEPR Arts & Humanities Award, Mass Nonprofit Network Nonprofit Excellence Award, and the 1Berkshire Trendsetter Award.