Community Access to the Arts (CATA) was founded by Sandra
Newman in Berkshire County in 1993 to promote art's communal influences, by facilitating
interaction among artists, individuals who are physically, mentally or
emotionally challenged and the community as a whole. This extraordinary program brings
artists together with the young and old and those with and without disabilities
through integrated workshops. CATA offers the unique opportunity of studying with
and learning from music, dance, and art professionals while creating a social
network with the extended special needs community.
CATA nurtures and celebrates the
creativity of people with disabilities through shared experiences in the visual
and performing arts. There are over 600 individuals with developmental, physical, emotional, and/or
mental disabilities representing 26 different human service and educational
organizations, as well as individuals living at home. The majority of
participants reside in Berkshire County.
The core program
at CATA is called Arts In & Arts Out. Many of the individuals in our
lifesharing community participate in this core program. They participate in workshops led by CATA faculty artists skilled in the visual and performing
arts. Visual arts workshops include drawing, painting, collage, sculpture,
woodworking, and set and costume design. Performing arts workshops include
singing, drumming, dancing, juggling, and acting. Other workshops include
poetry and yoga.
For more
information please visit www.communityaccesstothearts.org.