Elise Schaffer

Elise Schaffer is a Lehigh Valley (Pennsylvania)-based creative and passionate advocate for arts and disability justice. She currently serves as the Coordinator of Museum Experience and Accessibility at Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG). Additionally, Elise holds the position of Gallery Coordinator at the Galleries at Steel Pixel Studios, and co-hosts and co-founded the Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast and the Lehigh Valley Artist Meetup Group. Beyond her professional engagements, Elise finds joy in attending local arts and cultural events, playing the violin and ukulele, cooking, and spending time outside. Her personal artwork often draws inspiration from her hobbies and/or addresses challenges related to disability, depression, anxiety, and CPTSD. In 2024, Elise was awarded the LEAD Award for Emerging Leadership by The Kennedy Center for work in cultural arts and accessibility. At the intersection of Schaffer’s work is advocating for accessibility in arts and cultural spaces, accessible museum education and experiences, and integrating emerging technologies and assistive technology into arts and cultural spaces in her community.