Part-Time Dance Faculty Artist

Dance. Create. Change lives. Join Community Access to the Arts (CATA) as a Part-Time 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

Reporting to CATA's Program Directors, the Part-Time Dance Faculty designs and teaches dance, movement, 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: Part-time, 12 hours per week
• Training: Begins with 10 hours of paid training in December 2026
• Dates: January 2027 through July 2027
• Schedule: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:00am - 3:00pm
• Location: Local travel to towns including Pittsfield, Lee, North Adams, Lanesborough, and Great Barrington, with mileage reimbursement
• Reports To: CATA Program Directors
• Pay: $31.50 per hour ($378 per week)
• Room to Grow: Based on need and availability, this position could expand to include more hours and may lead to a full-time position with salary and benefits

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 and choreography, 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
• Bring curriculum to life: Integrate learning outcomes developed by Program Directors into curriculum and workshop experiences; tailor workshops in response to the 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
• 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
• 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
• Excellent time management and communication skills
• 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

This position entails a 12-hour workweek on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am - 3:00pm, with compensation of $31.50 per hour ($378 per week). The position begins in January and ends in July, with the opportunity for continued and expanded employment.

ADDITIONAL PERKS

• Mileage reimbursement for qualifying travel
• Prorated paid sick leave and 3 days of bereavement leave, plus an $85 birthday bonus
• Retirement benefits: opportunity to participate in a 401(k) with a 4% employer match from CATA, eligible after 6 months of continuous employment
• Paid professional development: access to CATA-provided trainings offered during the position term, in areas such as trauma-informed teaching and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, plus the opportunity to apply for additional targeted professional development funds
• CATA supplies all materials for programs and workshops, including general art supplies and props for music, dance, and theater. Faculty may also suggest purchases for equipment, per approval by Program Directors
• 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.