Resident Dance Faculty Artist

Dance. Create. Change lives. Join Community Access to the Arts (CATA) as our Resident Dance Faculty Artist!

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.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Under the direction of CATA Program Directors, the Resident Dance Faculty designs and teaches dance and choreography workshops for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, and brain injuries. Workshops give individuals 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 performance and advanced explorations of dance forms and genres.

Individuals 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, such as high school students with special needs or adults with autism and developmental disabilities. Faculty teach in CATA studios, special education classrooms, day programs, and other partner sites across Berkshire and Columbia counties.

POSITION AT A GLANCE

• Status: Full-time, non-exempt position with salary and benefits, 32 hours per week (we would consider increasing hours per week for the right candidate)
• Schedule: 11 months a year with August off. Monday through Thursday, 9:00am - 5:30pm (inclusive of a 30-minute lunch break). Some additional evenings and weekends may occasionally be required with advance notice.
• Location: CATA studios and partner sites throughout Berkshire County, MA and Columbia County, NY
• Reports To: CATA Program Directors
• Pay: $31.50 per hour ($48,384 annually)

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Teach joyful, participatory workshops: Under the direction of CATA Program Directors, develop, plan, and teach highly participatory group workshop series in dance in alignment with CATA's strategic goals, using adaptive, inclusive techniques to engage participants across a wide spectrum of ability and to encourage them to explore dance and creative movement, experiment with choreography, and experience the joy of live performance
• Strengthen partnerships: As a faculty artist working in CATA partner settings, exercise strong listening and communication skills and model CATA's organizational values, including respect for partner staff, leaders, and direct care workers; communicate clearly to supervisors about successes and challenges to support strong relationships with partners
• Build curriculum: Develop written curriculum and project descriptions with key learning outcomes as identified by supervisors; 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
• Take the stage: Participate in CATA performances, sharings, and other events as a leader, co-leader, or in a support role, and model enthusiasm and participation for CATA artists
• Keep growing: Actively participate in ongoing professional development, trainings, and meetings, and apply learnings to develop your teaching. Openly receive performance feedback from supervisors, and use feedback to drive growth and improvement
• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• 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 three 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 an 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
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel throughout Berkshire County, MA and Columbia County, NY with mileage reimbursement

Preferred: Previous training in Universal Design for Learning, trauma-informed teaching, and DEI

COMPENSATION

A compensation package of $31.50 per hour for a 32-hour workweek, 11 months a year (with August off but pay and benefits continuing), totaling $48,384 annually.

BENEFITS

CATA's excellent benefits package includes:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental & vision insurance premiums for employees, retroactively effective to hire date (valued between $8,000 - $9,500 annually depending on plan)
• Family health, dental, and vision packages
• 401(k) retirement savings 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

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

CATA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and welcome applicants of all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. People with disabilities, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know.