Community Access to the Arts (CATA) announces the appointment of Thasia Giles as Director of Programs & Performing Arts. Thasia joins current Program Directors Jeff Gagnon and Kara Smith as a third member of an arts leadership team at the nonprofit, reporting to CATA’s Executive Director, Margaret Keller.
Thasia succeeds Kelly Galvin, who is transitioning out of her full-time role after four years. During her tenure, Galvin made significant contributions to CATA as a theater director, teacher, and leader, helping to strengthen programs and deepen relationships with CATA artists, families, and partners. Galvin will continue to be part of the CATA team as a faculty artist and as the director of CATA’s Annual Performance.
As Director of Programs & Performing Arts, Thasia will oversee CATA’s performing arts programs for people with disabilities and nurture relationships with disability agencies and community-based partners to forward innovative art programs engaging an underserved community. As a member of the Program leadership team, Thasia will work closely with Executive Director Margaret Keller to translate CATA’s strategic plan and mission into dynamic arts programs for people with disabilities, with a special focus on expanding and elevating performance opportunities for CATA artists—from intimate sharings of work-in-progress and large-scale events.
“Thasia joins CATA at an especially exciting stage,” says Executive Director Margaret Keller, “CATA’s programs and partnerships are reaching more people with disabilities than ever before, and we are continuing to deepen our work in response to tremendous demand. Thasia brings deep experience building meaningful partnerships, advancing equity through the arts, and creating opportunities for people to fully express themselves. She is deeply aligned with CATA’s mission and we are thrilled to welcome her to the team!”
Thasia Giles (she/her) brings two decades of experience creating inclusive arts programs that connect people through creativity, collaboration, and shared experiences. Most recently Thasia served as Director of Community Engagement at Jacob’s Pillow where she led year-round initiatives that expanded access to dance and the performing arts, building partnerships with schools, cultural organizations, municipalities, and community groups throughout the Berkshires and beyond.
Throughout her career, Thasia’s work has centered on developing equitable, community-driven programs that amplify diverse voices and foster meaningful participation in the arts. A dedicated advocate for cultural equity and civic engagement, she has also served on boards and committees for NAACP Berkshire Branch, the W.E.B. Du Bois Legacy Committee, and the Berkshire Athenaeum Board of Trustees. She holds a B.A. in Dance and Cultural Studies from Hampshire College and is committed to advancing the arts as a catalyst for belonging, learning, and community connection.
“I’m honored to join CATA and to begin this next chapter of my work alongside CATA artists, families, teaching artists, staff, and community partners,” says Thasia Giles. “I’ve always believed that meaningful arts programs begin with deep listening to the people and communities at the heart of the work – from that listening comes trust, relationship, and the possibility of creating something together that could not have existed otherwise.
CATA’s commitment to honoring the creativity, agency, and leadership of people with disabilities deeply resonates with me. I’m eager to bring what I’ve learned over two decades into this community – cultivating partnerships rooted in belonging, where people feel welcomed, valued, and fully seen through the arts. I look forward to learning from this community, nurturing the relationships that make this work possible, and creating opportunities for CATA artists to share their work, shape their communities, and be recognized for the extraordinary artists they are.”
In recent years CATA has dramatically expanded programs in response to demand, with a community-based model rooted in strong community partnerships with disability agencies, day-habilitation programs, residences, and public schools. CATA currently provides more than 3,000 arts workshops annually for 1,300 children, teens, and adults with disabilities in painting, dance, acting, songwriting, drumming, creative writing, juggling, yoga, and more.
