Community Access to the Arts (CATA)

Program Coordinator for Agency & School Partners

Full-Time. 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday 9-5pm Reports to the team of three Program Directors.

Salary Range: $55,000 – $62,000 annually –

Organization:

Located in Great Barrington, MA, Community Access to the Arts (CATA) is an innovative nonprofit that nurtures and celebrates the creativity of people with disabilities. For over 30 years CATA has been a trailblazer in artistic inclusion. CATA boasts a beautiful new building, robust community partnerships, dynamic programs, strong equity initiatives, exceptional financial planning, and loyal donor retention. In CATA’s powerful arts programs, children, teens, and adults with disabilities explore new interests and express themselves creatively, developing personally and artistically through dance, theater, singing, drumming, juggling, painting, yoga, creative writing, and more. Their vibrant work is showcased in CATA’s public events– performances, readings, and art exhibits, presented in collaboration with premier cultural institutions in the Berkshires including The Clark Art Institute, Shakespeare & Company, and The Mount. CATA has been recognized for its groundbreaking work through the Massachusetts Cultural Council Commonwealth Award, NEPM Arts & Humanities Award, Mass Nonprofit Network Excellence Award, 1Berkshire Trendsetter Award, and the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative. ​​Learn more at www.cataarts.org.

Opportunity:

CATA seeks a highly organized, motivated, and detail-oriented professional ready to make a difference at our innovative arts organization. This is an exceptional opportunity for someone with strong administrative skills, a keen attention to detail, and a commitment to using their talents to create broad community impact.

The CATA Program Coordinator balances meticulous attention to detail with an understanding and excitement for CATA’s broader mission and goals. Working within the program department’s management structure, the Coordinator supports the smooth execution of daily operations and program activities for an organization with 60+ program partners and a staff of 20+ faculty artists. They play a key role in managing complex calendars, coordinating schedules among faculty and program partners, and ensuring that logistical details align seamlessly with program objectives.

The ideal candidate excels at project management, administration, and communication, and takes initiative to anticipate needs, solve problems, and maintain clarity in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with Program Directors to coordinate and schedule a robust, interconnected slate of arts workshops and experiences for people with disabilities, in alignment with partner needs, participant interests, and CATA’s strategic goals, focusing especially on CATA’s off-site programs in schools, agencies, and day programs.
• Create and maintain key documents including program schedules and calendars that optimize faculty time, invoicing spreadsheets that track payments, and more, ensuring that all information is up-to-date and accurate.
• With excellent attention to detail, communicate reliably and effectively with CATA stakeholders including faculty, program partners, artists and families: Coordinate program logistics and details, convey time-sensitive updates and schedule changes, prepare and distribute program-related mailings and other material.
• Track and maintain program-related data with accuracy and efficiency, including contact information and program metrics, and support clear communication of program information with other departments, including fundraising, communications, and finance.
• Support, prepare, and participate hands-on at CATA art exhibits, performances, and other programs and help strategically plan and implement top-notch accessibility resources for our artists and audiences.
• Draft other correspondence and written materials as assigned, with scrupulous attention to detail and proofreading.
• Other duties as assigned, including modest schlepping

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• 4 or more years of relevant work experience, preferably for a nonprofit or other organization with strong partnerships and relationships
• Excellent computer skills. Must be highly proficient in MS Office Suite, MS Word, Excel, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Zoom, and other standard office software. Proficiency with calendar software and systems preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, problem-solve, and meet deadlines while also working effectively within a management structure and following direction from supervisors
• Receptive to feedback and able to apply guidance to improve work processes and outcomes
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex schedules, managing logistics, and supporting program delivery
• Ability to relate to a diverse range of people, exercise cultural competence and inclusion, and commit to deeper learning and professional development on accessibility, inclusion, and racial and social justice
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and shift direction when needed
• Must have reliable transportation to Great Barrington, MA and be available to work in person

Personal Characteristics

• You are professional, creative, resourceful, and can work independently and as a member of a team.
• You have impeccable administrative skills, the ability to create complex schedules, and the capacity to maintain a variety of calendars, schedules, and tracking documents consistently and accurately.
• You have the ability to solve practical problems, establish priorities, and accomplish tasks in order of importance, and you’re comfortable receiving feedback on your work.
• You are flexible, adapt easily to a fast-moving environment with changing priorities, and are at ease working with tight deadlines. Your friends and colleagues think of you as unflappable and not easily rattled.
• You are a positive, outgoing person with effective relationship-building skills. You recognize the importance of engaging diverse communities and you know how to create a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment when you interact with people.
• You have a solid work ethic with proven reliability and dependability, and you demonstrate thoughtfulness, sound judgment, and discretion in regard to sensitive matters and confidential information.

Compensation

The Program Coordinator is a full-time, non-exempt position. Starting salary is commensurate with relevant experience, within the framework of the organization’s operating budget, and in the range of $55,000 – $62,000 annually. Additionally, CATA’s excellent benefits package includes:

• 100% employer-paid health & dental insurance premiums for employees (retroactively effective to hire date)
• 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 separate sick time) with Paid holidays including all federal holidays plus days before and after Thanksgiving; three extra December days, two floating religious holidays, birthday holiday, and additional generous office closures throughout the year
• Short- and long-term disability coverage; 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-informed training, plus the opportunity to apply for 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 a 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: Friday, January 9th, 2026

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.

The CATA Resident Visual Arts Faculty position is a full-time position with salary and benefits, working 36 hours per week for 10 months with July and August off. We would also consider a 40 hour/week position for the right candidate.

This position is an exciting opportunity for a talented, versatile visual artist and teaching artist to contribute to an innovative arts organization that is changing the lives of people across our community.

Under the direction of CATA Program Directors, the Resident Visual Arts Faculty designs and teaches visual arts workshops for CATA artists with developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, and brain injuries, giving them opportunities to explore painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, sculpture/tactile arts, fiber, photography, and more. Faculty teach in a variety of settings, including CATA studios, special education classrooms, day programs, and program partners in Berkshire and Columbia counties.

The work week for this position is intended to be Monday – Thursday 9:00am – 5:30pm (inclusive of a 30-minute lunch break) and Friday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Some additional evenings and weekends may occasionally be required with advance notice. Position reports to CATA Program Directors.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, plan, and teach compelling group workshop series that foster belonging and nurture the creativity of CATA artists in alignment with our strategic goals, using adaptive, inclusive techniques to engage participants across a wide spectrum of ability in painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, sculpture/tactile arts, fiber, photography, and other visual art forms.
  
• Develop innovative curricula and assessments under the direction of supervisors: Create written project descriptions with key learning outcomes; tailor projects in response to needs and interests of CATA artists; assist in researching and developing adaptive tools; evaluate progress toward goals through feedback provided by supervisors, CATA artists, and program partners.
• Lead one-on-one workshops in adaptive painting for people with disabilities who require a higher level of support in the creation of their work, using adaptive painting techniques tailored to individual needs.
• Represent CATA’s organizational values as a teaching artist working in the settings of our program partners, including respect for partner staff, direct care workers, and CATA artists; exercise strong listening skills and communicate clearly to supervisors about successes and challenges, facilitating strong relationships with program partners.
  
• Support CATA art exhibits and events by helping curate, frame, and install exhibits and completing other preparation for art event
• 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.
• Mentor and support CATA artists in exploring roles including curating and installing exhibits, assistant teaching workshops, and assisting in public programs; help recruit guest artists including curators and art installers.
• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned. 

Qualifications:

• • Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Arts Education, or a related field, or equivalent life/work experience.
    
  • Working visual artist with a minimum of three years teaching experience in a range of settings.
  • Knowledge and comfort in a broad range of studio practices including but not limited to: painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, sculpture/tactile arts, fiber, photography, and more.
  • Excellent time management and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work within a management structure, reporting to supervisors.
  • Ability to adapt and modify teaching 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.

CATA offers:

A compensation package including a salary of $44,460 annually for a 36-hour workweek, 10 months a year (with July and August off but benefits continuing). CATA’s excellent benefits package includes:

• • 100% employer-paid health & dental insurance premiums for employees (retroactively effective to hire date)
  • 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 separate sick time) with Paid holidays including all federal holidays plus days before and after Thanksgiving; three extra December days, two floating religious holidays, birthday holiday, and additional generous office closures throughout the year
  • Short- and long-term disability coverage; 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-informed training, plus the opportunity to apply for 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 a 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.

CATA employs highly skilled visual and performing artists who can use their artistic passion, talents, and skills as teachers to nurture the creativity of our artists with disabilities. 

CATA Faculty Artists lead arts workshops for artists with disabilities throughout Berkshire County, MA and Columbia County, NY. Workshops take place in residential settings, day programs, schools, and community centers throughout our region, as well as in CATA’s Great Barrington home, featuring two professionally-designed studios for visual and performing arts. Current workshops encompass a wide array of art forms and disciplines including painting, drawing, singing, songwriting, drumming, modern dance, tap dance, hip hop, creative writing and poetry, and acting. CATA artists participating in these workshops include people of 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 painting workshop for adults with disabilities, or a dance class for high school students in special education programs). 

CATA invites qualified local Teaching Artists to apply to join our faculty roster. Applications will be reviewed periodically by CATA staff, with new faculty being chosen based on the applicant’s qualifications and our areas of need.

We believe every human being has a deep well of creativity inside them, along with an innate desire to express who they are and what they feel, think, and believe. We see our faculty as fundamental to our mission and programs, and we strive to create a vibrant, active, creative community with and through our faculty. We invite you to learn more about CATA and to consider joining our team.

CATA offers

• 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 made up of 8 – 30 weekly workshops per series, making compensation for each full series much higher ($85 x # workshops).
• Dedicated trainings for our faculty to further develop teaching skills across different areas, including trauma-informed teaching, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, with compensation provided for your time.
• Stipends for reimbursement for round trip travel exceeding 42 miles
• Benefits for part-time staff include: sick leave, birthday bonus, bereavement leave, Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave, opportunity to participate in Simple IRA retirement plan with 3% employer match from CATA for employees making more than $5,000 annually.
• CATA supplies all non-durable 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 in conversation with faculty artists.
• The opportunity to apply for additional funds to support your individual professional development
• Invitations to special events and programs

Faculty Artist Responsibilities

• Working closely with CATA staff: Develop, plan, and teach compelling workshop series in  particular art forms or disciplines to nurture the creativity of CATA artists with disabilities. Workshops are typically provided in weekly, one hour classes, with at least 8 workshops per series, with date and time coordinated by CATA staff in conversation with our program partners and artists.
• Identify and articulate learning objectives and goals for each series you teach and where possible, connect curriculum with CATA’s annual theme.
• Work with staff to evaluate and assess your classes and the outcomes for CATA artists, and refine and adjust classes as needed to meet the need of CATA artists with disabilities 
• Communicate consistently, reliably, and effectively with CATA staff about scheduling, your availability, supply needs, challenges, and insights related to the classes you are teaching.
• Attend quarterly meetings, trainings, and annual faculty retreat. We welcome and encourage  collaborations between faculty artists, and we intend these trainings and meetings to not only help you further develop as a Teaching Artist but also to help you meaningfully engage in the CATA community of creative professionals.  You will be compensated for your time.
• Determine materials needed for your classes in advance and communicate these needs to CATA staff.
• Set-up and clean up for each workshop.
• Fill out bi-weekly time cards in our Paychex system so that you can be paid.

Qualifications

• Working artist in your specified field with a minimum of 3 years of teaching experience
• Excellent time management and communication skills
• Ability to adapt and modify learning experiences for people of all abilities
• Ability to successfully engage with people who are diverse by race, class, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, and ability; exercise cultural competence and inclusion; and commit to deeper learning and professional development in areas including racial and social justice and disability rights.
• An empathetic and intuitive personality
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel throughout Berkshire County, MA and Columbia County, NY

Acceptance to the CATA Roster does not guarantee employment. When CATA has opportunities for growth, the roster will serve as our primary source for new faculty.

To apply: Email a cover letter, CV/resume, work samples (photos, videos), and lesson plan examples to Jeff Gagnon, Program Manager (Jeff@CATAarts.org)