“CATA immerses people in the arts who might not otherwise have the opportunity. You just don’t see this anywhere else— especially with this level of artistic integrity.”
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 inclusive workshops 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 studios—one designed for visual art and writing, the other for 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 ([email protected])