Katie Samson

Katie Samson received her BA in Art History and Anthropology from Middlebury College and her MA in Art History/Visual Culture and Museum Studies Certificate from the University of Arizona. As the current director of education at Art-Reach, an art service organization based in greater Philadelphia, Katie provides professional development opportunities through an annual conference, collaborative forums, and trainings around cultural accessibility, program adaptation, and inclusive design. Katie previously taught Disability Studies at West Chester University and was formerly the assistant director of museum education at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She assisted in launching the Art of Observation program to Jefferson, Cooper, and Drexel University Medical Schools, helping students learn and build observational skills through visual art prior to their clinical work. Prior to re-locating to Philadelphia in 2010, Katie worked at the Tucson Museum of Art & Historic Block managing an alternative high school for at-risk teens. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Impact Center and Team Sunshine Performance Corporation. Katie enjoys adaptive sports, birding, gardens, live music, and storytelling.