CAP held its 17th annual Spring for the Arts, presented by FIS, on Friday, April 15, 2022, at Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club. The organization’s signature fundraiser raised more than $650,000 in support of arts education for children and youth in Northeast Florida.
Since its inception, Spring for the Arts has generated more than $7 million for arts education in our community. It is a fundraiser that celebrates community engagement in support of funding arts education initiatives throughout Northeast Florida.
“The success of this year’s event demonstrated once again just how deeply so many throughout the First Coast care about CAP’s mission to empower every child’s creative spirit,” said Rev. Kimberly L. Hyatt, President & CEO of CAP. “This infusion of support will have a lasting impact on CAP students, their families and our community for years to come.”
Guardian of the Arts recipients Tim & Stephanie Cost, pictured with Linda Stein and The Rev. Kimberly Hyatt. Image credit: Toni Smailagic
At this year’s event, Spring for the Arts Event Chair Beth Jennison (who chaired the event for a fifth time) spoke of the importance of arts education and the need for increased support. CAP board member and Florida Blue North Florida Market President Darnell Smith was the emcee for the evening, encouraging attendees to donate more than $135,000 through the “Ignite a Dream” open ask. Students from the CAP String Orchestra, funded by the Kids Hope Alliance, performed as guests arrived, and Victoria, a CAP student at Hyde Park Elementary School, shared her impactful experience with CAP and the ways arts education helps her and classmates navigate school and life.
“Thanks to scientists around the world, we know how important arts education is for my development, my confidence and my grades,” said Victoria. “I love my drumming class! We follow our teacher’s instructions, we watch and listen to each other, and we learn to work together as a team. Our teacher motivates us and challenges us to be our very best in her class and in school. She shows us how to be leaders and to trust our own abilities.”
CAP student Victoria receives a standing ovation as she walks off stage. Image credit: Toni Smailagic
CAP honored Stephanie and Tim Cost with the 2022 Guardian of the Arts Award. Linda Berry Stein, a previous Guardian of the Arts award recipient and alumna of Jacksonville University, presented the Costs with the award, which was designed and created by Dana Tupa, a professor of art at Jacksonville University in collaboration with fellow professor Tiffany Leach and JU students Ember Leigh and Campbell Smith.
“The award design nods to seven ideals of guardianship: service, support, growth, opportunity, community, economy and strength,” said Tupa. “Stephanie and Tim Cost visibly parallel these ideals and have been a continued strongpoint for Jacksonville University, the city and its arts community.”
CAP's 17th annual Spring for the Arts raised more than $650,000 in support of arts education for children and youth in Northeast Florida. Share on XCAP would especially like to thank Event Chair Beth Jennison, FIS and the 90+ sponsors who made the event possible; as well as The AutoValet, The Chris Thomas Band, Glenn Certain Floral + Event Designs, Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club and numerous board members and volunteers for helping execute another successful event.
The 18th Annual Spring for the Arts will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Click here to view images from the event on Flickr.
For media inquiries, contact Nan Kavanaugh, Senior PR & Communications Manager, Wingard at nan@wearewingard.com or Jennifer Clements, Director of Marketing & Communications, CAP at jennifer@capkids.org.
