09 Feb New CATA staff: Courtney Maxwell
Photo of Courtney Maxwell (credit: David Dashiell)
Community Access to the Arts (CATA) announces the appointment of Courtney Maxwell as Program Associate. CATA has dramatically expanded programs serving people with disabilities. This new staff position will help CATA deepen community partnerships and grow inclusive arts workshops and performances, giving people with disabilities across the Berkshires and Columbia county more opportunities to explore their talents and express themselves creatively.
“Now more than ever, CATA’s work is meeting a critical need in our community for people with disabilities,” says Margaret Keller, Executive Director. “We’re thrilled to welcome Courtney to our growing team. Her extensive experience and skills will fuel our trailblazing work!”
“I strongly support CATA’s mission to create arts programming that is accessible to all who wish to participate,” says Courtney Maxwell. “Utilizing my background in art education and occupational therapy, I hope to help CATA continue forward with this important mission. I am pleased to join the CATA team during this time of growth for the organization.”
Courtney Maxwell (she/her) is an artist, art educator and occupational therapist who has worked at MASS MoCA as a gallery art teacher and as an occupational therapist at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She has a graduate degree in art education from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA and a graduate degree in occupational therapy from Kean University in Union, NJ. Courtney has experience working with individuals of all ages and abilities in a variety of clinical and school settings. In her role at CATA, Courtney will support CATA’s Program Director team, focusing on programs taking place in CATA’s studios in Great Barrington.
CATA is at an especially exciting stage, with a beautiful new building, robust community partnerships, and expanding programs. CATA has cultivated strong partnerships with 50 community-based organizations, including disability agencies, residences, and schools to serve over 800 people with disabilities through 1,800 annual arts workshops. The nonprofit successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic financially and artistically, deepening its commitment to artists with disabilities by piloting new art forms, dramatically growing programs for students with disabilities in local schools, and strengthening equity and inclusion initiatives.