About Scott
Scott Artley (he/they) is a dynamic accessibility consultant, arts producer, and inclusion strategist whose work bridges the gap between imaginative creativity and practical implementation. Known for his hands-on, empathetic approach, Scott has helped organizations nationwide envision and execute disability access plans that reach beyond legal compliance to foster authentic belonging.
Scott’s signature open and collaborative style combines a playful artist’s heart for idealism with the rigorous attention to practicality required to make real things accessible for real people. Whether partnering with grassroots community organizations or leading institutional change at major cultural centers, Scott brings a collaborative approach that makes accessibility feel less like a problem to solve and more like an opportunity to discover.
(Above) Scott and his mother, who look remarkably alike, pose for a selfie in front of a quiet shoreline in Hitra, Norway, where their ancestors lived before emigrating to the United States.
Artists prepare for a discussion with the very full audience after Lightning Rod (2017, Patrick’s Cabaret), a radically accessible and collaborative event Scott co-created with Kat Purcell. Photo: Ari Newman.
"If you feel most driven by community, we’re on the same page. If you think authenticity and humor are key to getting it done, we’ll make some magic together."
(Right) Scott Artley, who has light pinkish skin, a buzzed bald head and trimmed orange beard. Scott wears a colorful plaid flannel shirt, a gold nose hoop, burgundy glasses, and a smile. Photo: Trista Marie Photography
A nationally recognized leader in arts and culture accessibility, I collaborate with mission-driven organizations (like nonprofit organizations, foundations, cultural institutions, and for-profits with deep roots in community) to advance accessibility in ways that are meaningful, sustainable, and––dare I say––fun as heck. My work spans strategic planning, accessibility assessments, tailored trainings, and speaking engagements that center disability justice, intersectionality, and practical action informed by my lived experience as a queer and disabled artist doing community-driven work in multicultural contexts.
I find real joy applying nearly two decades of experience to consulting and training work with clients of all kinds, from major regional museums to rural libraries, to advance technical compliance alongside authentic belonging. I also regularly present conference sessions with a wide array of nonprofit leadership platforms, including the Kennedy Center’s Leadership Exchange in Arts & Disability (LEAD) Conference, the Alliance of Artist Communities, the Art-Reach Cultural Accessibility Conference, as well as regional arts service organizations, and more.
I have worked with dozens of organizations as clients, and held significant staff positions with the Walker Art Center, Mixed Blood Theater, and Patrick’s Cabaret. Most recently I served as the Accessibility Program Director at the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to being part of a team that radically redesigned grant programs for individual artists and arts organizations, I advanced innovative engagement strategies and led shifts in policy and procedure that set new standards for disability inclusion in arts funding.
When I’m not at work, I love listening to audiobooks while taking walks in the woods, or cuddling up to write my novel with my roommate—an orange tabby named KittyPants.
Certifications
Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) by the IAAP - International Association of Accessibility Professionals (2021 to 2027)
Accessible Documents: Word, Powerpoint, & Acrobat by WebAIM (issued 2020)
“I'm truly grateful for your leadership, your attention to detail and nuance, and in general how you are so compassionately paving the way for greater accessibility throughout this arts community!”
– Rachel Jendrzejewski, Co-Artistic Director, Red Eye Theater
“I've been privileged to work with Scott Artley for many years, and I've long been aware of his commitment to inclusive programs, to community, and to art that arises from personal experience.”
– Alison Bergblom Johnson, artist and disability arts leader
