Key Achievements

2019

CATA breaks ground on the site of its future new home and launches The CATA Forward Capital Campaign. CATA’s first-ever capital campaign supports the creation of a permanent, fully-accessible arts center for people with disabilities which will serve as CATA’s headquarters, and supports program expansion across the Berkshires.

 

Awarded the “Nonprofit Excellence Award” from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network in the category of “Collaboration”. The award recognizes CATA’s partnerships with 47 different organizations (schools, day habilitation programs, nursing homes, residences) to bring 1,500 workshops to 800 people with disabilities annually.

 

Awarded a $200,000 Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) Capital grant from MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Cultural Council— the largest grant award level this year. One of only 64 Capital grants awarded statewide by the CFF, the grant supports CATA’s purchase and renovation of a new facility to establish a permanent home for the organization.

 

CATA’s Executive Director Margaret Keller nominated for a 1Berkshire “Trendsetter” Award in the category of “Visionary of the Year”, acknowledging the significant impact that CATA has made on the community.

2018

CATA selected for the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative, joining a cohort of 29 arts and cultural organizations from across Massachusetts. CATA’s engagement in the initiative begins with two grants totaling $312,000 over three years, which is the largest grant CATA has received to date and a ringing endorsement of CATA’s innovative work nurturing and celebrating the creativity of people with disabilities.

 

Tripled arts workshops for students with disabilities in Berkshire County public schools—among the most underserved students in our rural community—to serve 150 students across seven school districts.

 

Awarded Governor’s citation at the Massachusetts State House for CATA artist Cathy Crofut’s painting, selected for “Breaking Barriers” exhibit and created through CATA’s Artistic Realization Technologies program.

 

Received 1Berkshire “Trendsetter” Award for “Comprehensive Marketing Campaign” recognizing CATA’s 25th Anniversary.

 

Grew workshops dramatically, providing more than 1,300 innovative arts workshops to 700 people with disabilities. Launched partnerships with seven new agencies and organizations, bringing total partners to 49 schools, day-habilitation programs, and residences.

2017

CATA starts its 25th year of programs.

 

The Moving Company presents “Make Purple” at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, by invitation of Representative “Smitty” Pignatelli.

 

A banner year for art sales, with 83 pieces sold, all providing commissions for CATA artists.

 

Awarded a contract with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts to provide VSA Arts Connect programs in the schools throughout Berkshire County.

 

CATA In the Schools grows dramatically to provide intensive arts workshops to 100 students with disabilities in 6 school districts.

2016

CATA is the first Berkshire County organization to win the NEPR Arts & Humanities Award honoring CATA as an outstanding arts organization.

 

CATA is chosen to participate in the Massachusetts Cultural Council UP Innovation and Learning Network, a new program for nonprofit arts organizations to deepen their commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and universal design.

 

CATA is selected by Flynn Volkswagen Audi BMW as the local recipient of BMW’s “Drive for a Cause” promotion, and honored as a recipient of the Berkshire County Deputy Sheriff’s Association Annual Golf Tournament.

 

“I Am A Part of Art”–CATA’s annual art exhibit–expands to feature CATA artwork at two locations in the summer of 2016: the Clark Art Institute and the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield.

 

“CATA at the Clark” features a six-week exhibition of work created by CATA visual artists, an education program for 50 students from the Williamstown Youth Center, a public event to “Meet the Artists,” and a reception attracting more than 100 community members.

 

40 x 30 x 8, an A.R.T.-specific exhibit, opens at the Good Purpose Gallery in Lee.

 

CATA expands its programs in the schools to provide 55% more programs in area high schools for students with disabilities.

 

CATA pilots summer programs at Pittsfield Public Schools for 150 students with disabilities attending summer camp at Egremont Elementary.

 

CATA receives a highly competitive grant from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Artists’ Resource Trust recognizing three of our A.R.T. artists as accomplished mid-career artists.

 

Staff size expands to 7 full-time employees for first time.

2015

CATA’s Executive Director, Margaret Keller, delivers TEDx Talk, The Art of Seeing: How to Look at Disability, at TEDxBerkshires at Kripalu along with an exciting panel of other Berkshire County doers and thinkers.

 

CATA provides more workshops for our artists with disabilities than ever before (1,080), a 10% increase over the previous year.

 

CATA artists working within the A.R.T. (Artistic Realization Technologies) technique achieve new levels of public recognition: A painting by Katrina Couture is included in the “Walk in My Shoes” exhibit at MASS MoCA, a painting by Myles Tosk was featured in Berkshire Magazine, and Cathy Crofut makes the front page of the Berkshires section of The Berkshire Eagle for the unveiling of her commissioned artwork at a law firm.

 

Dawn Lane completes a Creative Development Residency with support from the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award Initiative. ALL RISE: Court Dance premieres at Shakespeare & Company in September, presented by CATA and including CATA’s Moving Company dancers.

2014

CATA Summer Workshop launches, bringing together CATA Artists with disabilities, faculty, and community members, to create large-scale felted murals.

 

The organization successfully transitions to a new Executive Director, Margaret Keller, in February, following a three-year transition plan developed by CATA’s board of directors.

 

CATA is invited to exhibit at The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown.

 

Record attendance (335) for annual art show opening at Berkshire Museum.

 

The Christian Science Monitor, a national publication, writes about CATA.

2013

CATA wins the Berkshire Trendsetter Award and the Massachusetts Cultural Council Commonwealth Award in the “Access” category.

 

Founder Sandy Newman wins the Berkshire Museum Berkshire Award and the Multicultural Bridge Cultural Competence Award.

 

CATA publishes “going for a flower,” a 120-page poetry anthology, featuring the work of CATA artists.

 

225 people attend the opening reception of CATA’s Annual Art Show & Poetry Reading at the Berkshire Museum.

2012

CATA produces YOGABILITIES, an instructional yoga DVD featuring yogis with disabilities demonstrating postures in two segments; for those with mobility and those confined to chairs. Funded by Dr. Robert C. & Tina Sohn Foundation and Greylock Federal Credit Union.

 

A year-end “Sharing” at Mass MoCA in Club B-10 features participants from CATA’s performing arts workshops.

 

CATA’s 90-second film trailer plays at the Triplex and Beacon Cinemas to increase awareness of the mission.

2011

CATA is rated in the top 50 Disability nonprofits by “Great Nonprofits” in partnership with Guidestar.

 

CATA artwork travels to North Adams Regional Hospital, Fairview Hospital, and the State House (Boston) among others.

 

“one potato, two potato,” choreographed by Dawn Lane, premieres at the Doris Duke Theatre in cooperation with Jacob’s Pillow Community Dance Programs in September 2011.

2010

The Moving Company is invited to perform in Washington, D.C., at the VSA International Arts Festival.

 

Sandy Newman elected “Citizen of the Year” by the Great Barrington Rotary Club.

 

Dawn Lane receives a fellowship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for outstanding choreography.

2009

CATA receives $15,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts for school programs.

 

CATA receives $10,000 from the William J. and Margery S. Barrett Fund for a digital photography workshop series.

 

Ferrin Gallery, Pittsfield hosts first Artistic Realization Technologies (A.R.T.) exhibit. Eight paintings sold.

 

Sandy Newman receives the Unsung Heroine Award from the MA Commission on the Status of Women.

 

CATA artwork travels to ten venues, supported by a grant from Berkshire Life Charitable Foundation.

2008

CATA presents The Sprout Film Festival in Great Barrington featuring films by and about people with disabilities.

 

CATA expands into Northern Berkshire County adding 154 workshops, 70 participants and 4 new settings.

2007

Pollack-Krasner award winning artist Gordon Sasaki comes to CATA for a week-long residency program that integrates CATA participants, faculty artists and community members.

 

CATA receives a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to expand its Artistic Realization Technologies (A.R.T.) program.

 

Program & Artistic Director Dawn Lane receives the Distinguished Educator in Dance award from the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education.

2006

CATA and Black Ice Entertainment screen “Too Much to Stop,” a film documenting the collaboration between Dawn Lane and Marisa Yudkin, at the National Brain Injury Association Conference, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and at the Berkshire Museum.

 

Nominated by State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, CATA receives the Outstanding Community Arts Collaborative award from the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education.

 

CATA holds its first public poetry event, featuring readings by CATA participants, actor Sally-Jane Heit, and four-time National Poetry Slam winner Taylor Mali.

2005

CATA and the Berkshire Theatre Festival present “for heaven’s sake,” a movement event choreographed and directed by Dawn Lane and featuring five CATA dancers from The Moving Company.

 

CATA is named a VSA Massachusetts affiliate.

2004

“CATA on Tour” brings CATA’s performing arts companies to Berkshire County Public Schools and is selected by the Massachusetts Cultural Council as a Gold Star Project.

 

CATA Program & Artistic Director and choreographer Dawn Lane receives LEF New England grant to create “Mattress Ticking,” a duet including Ms. Lane and Marisa Yudkin, a dancer with Huntington’s Disease.

2003

CATA’s annual performance, CATAlive, celebrates CATA’s tenth anniversary and includes special guests: actor Tina Packer, dancer Marge Champion, and journalist John Hockenberry.

2002

CATA’s annual performance moves from Berkshire Theatre Festival to the Tina Packer Playhouse at Shakespeare & Company.

2001

Former Mummenshanz Theatre member Roger Reed joins the CATA faculty.

1999

CATA stages its first theater performance, introducing artists and performers with disabilities to an audience of 250 community members at the Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington.

1996-1997

CATA receives its first year of operational support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

1995

CATA visual artists have their first public art show at the Rica Gallery in Housatonic, Massachusetts.

1993

Twelve women with disabilities attend CATA’s first workshop held at IS183 Art School of the Berkshires and led by textile artist Wendy Rabinowitz.