Resident Dance Faculty, Full Time, 11 months/year position

Community Access to the Arts

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 people 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 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. 
 
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 Monday-Thursday 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 based on program needs. 
            
Responsibilities: 
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. 
 
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 
 
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. 
 
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, 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. 
 
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 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 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 
 
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. 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 
  • 401k 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 

How To Apply:
Candidates should send a resume and brief cover letter that describes how their qualifications and experience match the need. 
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.