Program Associate

Community Access to the Arts (CATA) Program Associate

Organization

For 28 years, Community Access to the Arts (CATA) has been a trailblazer in artistic inclusion, as an innovative nonprofit that nurtures and celebrates the creativity of people with disabilities through the arts. In CATA programs, teens, adults, and elders 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 our public events– dynamic performances, readings, and art exhibits, presented in collaboration with premier cultural institutions including The Clark Art Institute, Shakespeare & Company, and The Mount. 

CATA has cultivated robust partnerships with 50 community-based organizations, including disability agencies, residences, and schools, to serve over 800 artists with disabilities through 1,500 annual arts workshops. Programs focus especially on people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, and brain injuries–historically among the most underserved groups in the arts–and are taught by a professional faculty of talented teaching artists.

Located in Great Barrington MA, CATA has an annual budget of $1.8M and is led by a dedicated team of 10 full-time staff with 25 part-time teaching faculty and an 18-member board of directors. CATA prizes its intentional organizational culture, which is characterized by collaboration, inclusivity, respect and a shared commitment to innovation, bold thinking, and excellence. CATA has been recognized for its groundbreaking work through the Massachusetts Cultural Council Commonwealth Award, NEPR Arts & Humanities Award, Mass Nonprofit Network Excellence Award, 1Berkshire Trendsetter Award, and the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative.

Opportunity:

As Program Associate, you would join an innovative arts organization that is on the rise, working with a dynamic team to create opportunities for artists with disabilities. This is an exceptional opportunity for someone with excellent administrative skills, interest in the arts, and a commitment to inclusion to use their talents to create broad community impact. CATA has a strong track record for nurturing employees’ growth and promoting from within. Staff members are highly dedicated self-starters who share a passion for CATA’s mission and genuinely enjoy working together. 

The organization is at an especially exciting stage in its growth, with a beautiful new building, robust partnerships, and expanding programs. CATA successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic financially and artistically, deepening its commitment to artists with disabilities by piloting new art forms, strengthening equity and inclusion initiatives, and developing innovative programs including a virtual gala performance attended by over 2,000 people.

Description:

Full-Time. Reports to the Program Director Team. 40 hours a week. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

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CATA seeks a highly motivated, organized individual ready to make a difference at our innovative, award-winning arts organization. As Program Associate, you will apply your talents to support CATA's dynamic mission of art and inclusion. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented and self-motivated and will lead with initiative while supporting day-to-day tasks of the program team. Project management and interpersonal communication skills are essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support program staff in coordinating a robust series of arts workshops in partnership with 50 social service agencies, public schools, residences, and nursing homes;
• Correspond with artists, families, and partner organizations to communicate program logistics and details; support artists and families in registering for workshops; create invoices and process program payments;
• Work closely with teaching artists to help schedule workshops and follow up on time-sensitive correspondence; maintain workshop calendar and communicate with faculty and partners about changes;
• Maintain contact information for program-related individuals and organizations and keep database records up-to-date;
• Help plan and coordinate public arts programs and participate hands-on at events;
• Assist in planning, curating, and installing art exhibits at local museums and galleries and create price lists, labels, signage and other materials as needed;
• Supervise program assistant, interns, and volunteers;
• Manage art supply inventory and oversee studio organization, cleaning, and upkeep;
• Draft other correspondence and written materials as assigned, with scrupulous attention to proofreading;
• Other duties as assigned including filing and modest schlepping.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience;
• 2 or more years of relevant work experience;
• Excellent computer skills. Must be highly proficient in MS Office Suite, MS Word, Excel, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Zoom;
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to take initiative, problem-solve, and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team member;
• Ability to relate to a diverse range of people, exercise cultural competence and inclusion, and commit to deeper learning and professional development on racial and social justice;
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail;
• 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;
• Must be fully vaccinated against Covid, in accordance with CATA’s health and safety protocols.

Personal Characteristics

• You are professional, creative, resourceful, and can work independently and in a team
• 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 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 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.