Job Description

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, the Resident Dance Faculty designs and teaches dance and choreography workshops for CATA artists with developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, and brain injuries in CATA studios, special education classrooms, day programs, and program partners throughout Berkshire and Columbia counties. Workshops give people with disabilities the opportunity to explore a range of dance forms (modern, hip hop, tap, and more), to create original choreography based on their embodied, lived experience, and may also include opportunities for performance and advanced explorations of dance forms and genres.

The CATA Resident Dance Faculty is a full-time, non-exempt position with salary and benefits, working 32 hours per week for eleven months, with August off. The expectation is for work hours on Tuesday through Friday 9:00am-5:30pm (inclusive of a 30-minute lunch break). Some additional evenings and weekends may occasionally be required with advance notice. The position reports to CATA’s Program Directors. We would consider increasing hours per week for the right candidate.

Responsibilities:

Under the direction of CATA 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.

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

Participate in CATA performances, sharings, and other events as a leader, co-leader, or in support role, 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

Working performing artist with a minimum of five years teaching experience in a broad range of community settings

Proficiency as a dancer and choreographer required; Knowledge in and familiarity with a range of dance and movement and understanding of dance as socially and culturally informed

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 dance experiences for accessibility and exercise 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 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

CATA offers: 

A compensation package including a salary of $913.60 per week for a 32-hour workweek for 48 weeks per year, along with excellent benefits:

100% employer-paid health & dental insurance premiums for employees, retroactively effective to hire date (valued between $7,400 - $9,300 annually depending on plan)

Family health and dental packages 

Retirement savings program of 401k plan with 4% employer match 

Generous paid vacation (two weeks in first year increasing to three weeks after second year, plus two weeks of separate sick time)

Paid holidays including all federal holidays plus days before and after Thanksgiving; three extra December days, two floating religious holidays, birthday holiday, and extra “restorative days” throughout the year 

Employer-Paid short- and long-term disability coverage; Employer-Paid Life insurance; Paid family leave; Mileage reimbursement for qualifying travel

CATA is a qualified employer under the PSLF federal student loan forgiveness plan

Dedicated training to develop teaching skills, including trauma-informed teaching, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and Autism-specific training, plus the opportunity to apply for additional funds to support your individual professional development

Invitations to special events and programs

Active participation in a mission driven organization with a positive and inclusive work culture and a strong impact on the community

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. 

Apply by:

Position open until filled

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.