10 Feb CATA Selected for Barr Foundation Cultural Evolution Initiative
Barr Foundation invests in eight leading arts organizations as they transform their business models to expand community impact.
We’re thrilled to announce that Community Access to the Arts (CATA) has been selected to receive a change capital grant through Boston-based Barr Foundation’s Cultural Evolution portfolio. This new initiative will invest $3.3 million in eight leading arts organizations across Massachusetts over the next three years—as announced on the Barr Foundation’s blog. The Cultural Evolution grant, part of Barr Foundation’s Arts & Creativity program, will provide flexible, multi-year operating grants, as well as training, technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities that support business modifications, adaptation, and risk-taking during a pivotal moment of organizational transformation. CATA will receive three grants totaling $425,000—a ringing endorsement of CATA’s innovative work nurturing and celebrating the creativity of people with disabilities.
“This grant comes at a pivotal moment for CATA as we expand our transformative work in the community,” says Margaret Keller, CATA Executive Director. “We are proud to be recognized by the Barr Foundation as an anchor arts organization, with a strong track record for innovation and impact. Barr’s investment will fuel this next stage of our growth and experimentation as we launch new pilots, build new initiatives for CATA artists to take on leadership roles, and create more opportunities for artists with disabilities to discover, grow, and share their passion for the arts. We are excited to connect with peer organizations across the state to help us channel our bold vision to transform lives here in the Berkshires.”
CATA artist Sandra taps into her talents in a CATA workshop.
“The quality of CATA’s programs and their impact on the community has been evident since my first introduction to them in 2017,” says SueEllen Kroll, Senior Program Officer, Arts & Creativity Program at the Barr Foundation. “Their continuous growth and transformation over the years has been remarkable. Our support at this time will allow CATA to advance new, bold ideas to better serve their community. We are proud to support CATA’s strategic work as a community leader in the Berkshires, and a field leader in serving artists with disabilities.”
Barr Foundation’s Cultural Evolution grantees also include Boston Lyric Opera (Boston), Community Music Center of Boston (Boston), Company One (Boston), Double Edge Theatre (Ashfield), Global Arts Live (Cambridge), Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (Great Barrington), and Zeiterion Performing Arts Center (New Bedford).
Over the past five years, CATA has dramatically expanded programs for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, deepened partnerships with disability agencies, schools, and residences, broadened its geographical footprint, and established a vibrant, fully accessible facility that has become a beacon of creativity and belonging. In 2024, CATA completed a Strategic Plan that outlined a “New Era” of CATA, proposing strategic initiatives that will allow CATA to have an even greater impact on our community. CATA will use Cultural Evolution funds to boldly explore new models, including: Building a multi-year “CATA For All” initiative that eradicates financial barriers for people with disabilities to participate in CATA; Expanding full-time Resident Faculty positions to meet growing community demand for more programs; and Creating innovative “next-level” opportunities for artists with disabilities—including leadership, teaching, and curatorial roles, supported studio programs, and arts mentorship programs.
Grace poses with her painting in a CATA exhibit at the Clark Art Institute.
Supported by Barr Foundation’s Cultural Evolution, the moves CATA intends to make have the potential to profoundly impact the wider arts sector by further revealing the talent and creativity that resides in the disability community; by bringing new communities and artists into local museums, theaters, and cultural organizations; and by modeling a powerful, in-depth approach to inclusion.
During the selection process, Barr Foundation considered each organization’s business model transformation proposal and impact; the organization’s financial status and readiness to take on business model transformation; alignment between board and staff on current strategic direction as evidenced by a board-approved strategic plan; the organization’s equity journey; and their ability to adapt to sudden or evolving change.
This award follows the culmination of CATA’s participation in the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative (BKMAI), a six-year cohort program funded by Barr Foundation and Klarman Family Foundation. CATA was one of 29 arts and cultural organizations from across Massachusetts selected for the BKMAI cohort, which provided flexible, multi-year operating support grants, in addition to training and technical assistance on financial health, adaptive capacity, and equity.