Get Involved
Community Access to the Arts offers inclusive arts programs for people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities, especially people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, and autism. Workshops take place in CATA’s beautiful art studios in Great Barrington, MA, as well as on-site at disability agencies, residences, day habilitation programs, schools, and eldercare settings across Berkshire County, MA and Columbia County, NY.
All workshops are taught by professional faculty who are working artists in their fields. No prior experience in the arts is needed to attend or participate in our programs! All are welcome and our program staff can help you learn more about how to get involved.
Every CATA workshop is designed with accessibility and inclusion at its core. CATA programs are designed for people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities— including people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, and brain injuries. No prior experience is necessary!
CATA’s arts workshops are led by our professional faculty. Each workshop is designed as a series where participants build skills and work on projects from week to week. Workshops typically last one hour and take place once a week over several months. We provide all the supplies and equipment you need to get creative!
Our “Studio Programs” take place at the CATA art studios at 420 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, MA. We also partner with disability agencies, day programs, schools, and nursing homes to offer arts programs on-site at their locations across the community.
CATA sets workshop fees intentionally low—typically half the true cost—and fundraises in the community to cover the difference. We never want cost to be a barrier to our programs. No one will be turned away because of financial need.
Studio Programs: CATA typically charges $12 per workshop for programs at the CATA Studios, with most participants paying per semester (typical cost is $300-$350 for a full year of 1 workshop series). We never want cost to be a barrier to our programs, so we also invite people to participate on a Pay-What-You-Will basis. CATA also offers a 50% discount on all workshops for EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare card holders as part of the “Card to Culture” program.
Programs in Schools, Disability Agencies, or Residences: If you’re interested in bringing CATA to your school, please reach out to Jeff Gagnon (Jeff@CATAarts.org). If you’re interested in bringing CATA to your residence, disability agency, or nursing home, please reach out to Kelly Galvin (Kelly@CATAarts.org). We’re happy to talk with you about cost and scheduling for programs.
CATA artists have the opportunity to share their talents with the public in CATA performances, readings, and art exhibits.
Exhibits: Participants in our painting, sculpture, photography, and comics workshops can have their work included in a CATA art show. Artwork is available for sale to the public, and the artist (that’s you!) earns a 50% commission when artwork sells.
Performances: Participants in our music, theater, dance, and juggling workshops can take part in CATA performances— from informal “CATA Sharings” for friends and family, to our Annual Performance for an audience of 400 people.
Studio Programs: To sign up for workshops in the CATA Studios, please contact Kara Smith at Kara@CATAarts.org or 413-528-5485.
School Programs: To bring programs to your school or classroom, please contact Jeff Gagnon at Jeff@CATAarts.org or 413-528-5485.
Agency Programs: To bring programs to your residence, disability agency, day habilitation program, or skilled nursing home, please contact Kelly Galvin at Kelly@CATAarts.org or 413-528-5485.
Explore our current roster of CATA Studio Workshops taking place in our Great Barrington studios.
What can I expect? Workshops typically last one hour and take place once a week over several months. Each series runs from September to late May (“Fall only” workshops run from September–December, “Spring only” run from January–May). Participants are welcome to sign up at any time during the year. We also welcome you to try out a new workshop to see if the class meets your interests. Participants are invited to take workshops on their own or with the assistance of your support staff who can attend with you. We provide all the supplies and equipment you need to get creative!
Cost: CATA charges $12 per class for programs in the CATA studios, with most participants paying per semester (typically $300-$350 for a year of 1 workshop series). CATA sets workshop fees intentionally low—typically half the true cost—and fundraises in the community to cover the difference. We never want cost to be a barrier, so we also invite people to participate on a Pay-What-You-Will basis. CATA also offers a 50% discount on all workshops for EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare card holders as part of the “Card to Culture” program.
To register, please contact Kara Smith (Program Director, Studio) at Kara@CATAarts.org or 413-528-5485. You can also Fill out this short form and we’ll be in touch to share more about our programs. We look forward to talking with you!
For teachers and administrators interested in having CATA workshops in your classroom, day program, residence, eldercare setting, or community space:
CATA partners with public schools across Berkshire County, MA and Columbia County, NY to offer engaging arts workshops for children and teens in special education and alternative learning programs. Click here to view our current program partners.
Are you a school administrator, teacher, or family member interested in bringing CATA to your classroom? We would love to talk with you! We work with you to tailor our programs to your classroom goals and curriculum, and to the needs and interests of the students you serve. We can share customizable options for our workshops, including different art forms and time lengths, and work with you to make sure that programs fit within your school’s budget.
Cost: CATA sets workshop fees intentionally low—typically half the true cost—and fundraises in the community to cover the difference. We never want cost to be a barrier to our programs.
Please reach out to Jeff Gagnon (Program Director, Schools) at Jeff@CATAarts.org or 413-528-5485.
CATA partners with disability agencies, residences, day habilitation programs, and nursing homes across Berkshire County, MA and Columbia County, NY to offer engaging arts workshops for people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Click here to view our current program partners.
We would love to talk with you and your team about partnering with CATA! We work with you to tailor our programs to your organization and to the needs and interests of the individuals you serve. We can share customizable options for our workshops, including different art forms and time lengths, and work with you to make sure that programs fit within your budget.
Cost: CATA sets workshop fees intentionally low—typically half the true cost—and fundraises in the community to cover the difference. We never want cost to be a barrier to our programs.
Please reach out to Kelly Galvin (CATA Program Director, Agencies) at Kelly@CATAarts.org or 413-528-5485.
Watch our short film “CATA is…” and let our artists take you behind-the-scenes!
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