CATA is seeking a talented, versatile dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist eager to contribute to an innovative, award-winning arts organization that is changing the lives of people across our community.

Under the direction of CATA Program Directors, CATA Dance Faculty Artists design and teach dance workshops for CATA artists with developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, and brain injuries in CATA studios, special education classrooms, day programs, and program partner settings throughout Berkshire and Columbia counties. CATA Dance workshops give people with disabilities the opportunity to explore a range of dance forms (modern, hip hop, tap, and more) and to create original choreography based on their embodied, lived experience, and may also include opportunities for more advanced exploration of dance forms and genres.

CATA artists participating in these workshops include people with disabilities across a wide span of ability and ages, including children, teens, adults, and elders. Most CATA workshops are designed for a specific age group (for example, a dance class for high school students with special needs or a dance class for adults with autism and developmental disabilities).

This position is for two to three days per week, teaching a total of four to six dance workshops weekly, each lasting one hour. Workshops will be scheduled on two or three regular weekdays (Monday-Friday) between 8:30 am - 4:30 pm in schools, off-site programs, and the CATA Studio. The expected start for this position is mid-September 2025. Part-Time Dance Faculty will be paid $85 per workshop plus a gas stipend for workshops requiring additional travel and also receive other benefits noted below. For the right candidate, there may be potential to expand to a Resident Faculty role, a salaried position with additional benefits. CATA Faculty Artists report to CATA’s Program Directors.


Responsibilities:

Under the direction of Program Directors: develop, plan, and teach compelling, highly participatory group workshop series in dance that nurture the creativity of CATA artists with disabilities in alignment with CATA’s strategic goals, using adaptive, inclusive techniques to engage participants across a wide spectrum of ability and to encourage participants to explore dance and creative movement, experiment with choreography, and experience the joy of live performance.

As a faculty artist working in the settings of our program partners, represent CATA’s organizational values, including respect for partner staff, leaders, and direct care workers and uphold your role as a CATA ambassador, exercising strong listening and communication skills; communicate clearly to supervisors about successes and challenges and help facilitate their strong relationships with program partners.

Develop curricula and assessment tools, under the direction of supervisors: identify key learning outcomes through written curriculum and project descriptions; tailor projects in response to needs and interests of CATA artists; assist in researching and developing adaptive tools; set clear expectations for workshops; and assess progress toward goals through feedback provided by supervisors, CATA artists, and program partners.

Participate in CATA performances, sharings, and other events as a faculty director, co-leader or in a support role as assigned by Program Directors, and model enthusiasm and participation for CATA artists.

Actively participate in ongoing professional development, trainings, meetings, and faculty retreats and apply learnings to develop your teaching, under the direction of supervisors. Openly receive performance-based feedback from supervisors, and use feedback to drive growth and improvement.

Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.


Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Dance, Dance Therapy, Arts Education, or a related field, or equivalent life/work experience
Minimum of three to five years teaching experience in a broad range of community settings; experience teaching dancers with disabilities preferred
Proficiency as a dancer and choreographer; knowledge in a range of dance forms and genres; ability to adapt dance experiences for accessibility and with respect to each individual’s embodied, lived experience
Excellent time management and communication skills
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with other artists and within an organizational structure, reporting to supervisors  
Ability to adapt and modify learning experiences for people of all abilities and ages, exercising empathy, sensitivity, and inclusion to successfully engage a broad age range of participants from elementary school to elder care
Ability to successfully engage with people who are diverse by race, class, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, and ability; demonstrate cultural competence and foster inclusion; and commit to deeper learning and professional development in areas including racial and social justice and disability rights. Candidates with previous training in Universal Design for Learning, trauma-informed teaching, and DEI preferred.
Reliable transportation and willingness to travel throughout Berkshire County, MA and Columbia County, NY with mileage reimbursement

Compensation & Benefits for Faculty Artists Employed as Part-Time Staff

A generous rate for compensation: $85 for each individual workshop including one hour of instruction, plus setup, break down, and curricular development. Note that workshops are provided in series typically with 8 - 30 weekly workshops per series, making compensation for each full series much higher ($85 x # workshops). CATA also pays you to attend any required trainings.
Gas reimbursement of $15 for roundtrip of 40 miles or more
Prorated paid sick leave and 3 days of bereavement leave, plus $85 birthday bonus
Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave: CATA pays the full fee required by the state for each employee, with no deduction taken from your paycheck
Retirement Benefits: Opportunity to participate in 401k with 4% employer match from CATA, eligible after 6-months of continuous employment
Opportunity to apply for additional funds up to $250 to support your individual professional development
Paid trainings provided by CATA to further develop teaching skills across different areas, including trauma-informed teaching, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility,
CATA supplies all materials for programs and workshops, including general art supplies, props for music, dance, and theater. CATA will also consider the purchase of durable supplies and equipment for specified purposes as approved by Program Directors
Invitations to special events and programs

How To Apply:
Candidates should send a resume and brief cover letter that describes how their qualifications and experience match the need.
Apply here: https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/cataarts/jobs
All inquiries and materials will be confidential.


CATA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates. CATA welcomes people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, gender identities, religions, ages, and sexual orientations to apply.