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The 19th Annual Spring for the Arts Breaks Fundraising Record

CAP held its 19th annual Spring for the Arts on Friday, April 26 at Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club. The organization’s signature fundraiser raised a record-breaking $820,579 in support of arts education and therapeutic programs for children and young adults in Northeast Florida.

Since its inception, Spring for the Arts has generated nearly $9 million for arts education in the greater Jacksonville area. It is a fundraiser that celebrates community engagement in support of funding arts education initiatives throughout the region.

“It is with immense gratitude from the entire CAP family that I say thank you to every attendee, sponsor and donor who made this year’s Spring for the Arts our most successful fundraiser yet,” said Rev. Kimberly L. Hyatt, CAP President & CEO. “It is a testimony not only to the generosity of our community but also their commitment to providing all children along the First Coast access to quality arts education.”

Amy & Gary Norcross (left), Honorary Chairs with Karen & Greg Montana (right), Guardian of the Arts Award Recipients

The event was emceed by First Coast News anchor and CAP board member Anthony Austin, and speakers included Spring for the Arts Honorary Chairs Amy and Gary Norcross who spoke of the impact arts education makes on the lives of children, as well as Evan, a fourth-grade student at Central Riverside Elementary School who shared his experience in the CAP string program. Magen McRoberts of Boundless Impact Agency ran the live auction and encouraged attendees to donate more than $255,000 through the Ignite A Dream paddle raise.

“The most important lesson I’ve learned through CAP is that making your dreams come true takes a lot of determination, teamwork, self-discipline and effort,” said Evan, CAP’s student speaker. “I think we can all agree that life is what you make of it, and CAP makes life beautiful!”

CAP honored Karen and Gregory Montana with the 2024 Guardian of the Arts Award, a stunning ceramic artwork by local artist and Jacksonville University professor Tiffany Leach. The Montanas have been loyal supporters of CAP for many years and have made a tremendous impact in the Jacksonville community, with a specific focus on expanding education to people in underserved communities.

Evan, CAP string student, speaks to the crowd at Spring for the Arts

The 19th Annual Spring for the Arts would not have been possible without the generous support of Honorary Chairs Amy & Gary Norcross; Event Chairs Marisa & Frank Martire; Fidelity National Financial and the many sponsors who made the event possible; the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund; as well as The AutoValet, Bold City Classics, Harlow James Floral, Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club and numerous board members and volunteers for helping execute another successful event.

The 20th Annual Spring for the Arts will be held on April 4, 2025.

View event photos on Facebook or Flickr.

For media inquiries, please contact media@capkids.org.

The giving season reminds us what matters most: the moment a student experiences pride after creating something meaningful—a painting, a song, a performance. That creative discovery transforms how young people see themselves and their potential.

At the Cathedral Arts Project, your support creates immediate impact. A $25 donation provides art supplies for students. $50 covers a week of music instruction. $100 brings dance education to students who would otherwise never have access.

Every gift strengthens our ability to serve more students throughout Northeast Florida.

Support CAP Students Today
As we close out this year and approach the finish line of our REIMAGINE Campaign, we're grateful for donors who understand how the arts transform young lives. Your support has strengthened generations of students in Jacksonville—building confidence, developing creative abilities and opening doors to new possibilities.

Before December 31, join us in creating brighter futures for more young people in our community at our link in bio. 🎨🎵🎻👯🎭
Learning music offers significant social, emotional and educational benefits for young people. Every day at CAP reinforces the knowledge that arts education is essential for supporting the whole child. This program supported in part by @kidshopealliancejax 🎻
@duvalcountyschools #capkidsjax #theartsaddup #artsed #musiceducation
The Jaguars have clinched the top spot in the AFC! Last chance to get your discounted tickets to experience the excitement from the stands THIS Sunday against the New York Jets, and support #CAPkidsjax simultaneously.🎉

Thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Jaguars Foundation, purchase general admission tickets here and all proceeds benefit CAP programs. Tickets start at $45: Sunday, December 14 |  1 p.m.  Link closes today at 5 PM so get yours now at our link in bio!!
GO JAGS🏈
Participation in the arts creates extraordinary change in the lives of children that sets them up to succeed in school and in life. Research consistently shows clear links between arts involvement and positive outcomes in academics, creative and critical thinking, personal behavior, and social and civic participation. These benefits reinforce the essential value of the arts to enrich not only individual children and young adults, but also their communities. For more information about CAP programs visit our link in bio. 🎶👯🎭🎨
Congratulations to the CAP Theatre and CAP Visual Arts students @jaxclassical for a wonderful showcase last night! Looking forward to seeing your growth at the CAP Visual and Performing Arts Showcases in the spring! 🎭🎶🎨🖼️💜 
#theartsaddup #capkidsjax #artsed
The 9th Annual CAP Golf Tournament is underway! ⛳️🏌️🏆
#CAPkidsjax #theartsaddup
This Thanksgiving, CAP is grateful for you, our supporters. Your giving has lifted the creative spirit of generations of children in our community. You are the reason we are here today, and you are the reason we will be here for decades to come. Happy Thanksgiving!🍂
Save the date | Join us on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club for the Cathedral Arts Project’s most anticipated evening of the year, the 21st annual Spring for the Arts – CAP’s signature fundraiser!

CAP is honored to announce it will celebrate Kristine Cherek & Kirk Larsen as the 2026 Guardians of the Arts for their efforts to safeguard and advance the arts. 💜

Spring for the Arts also celebrates community engagement in support of funding arts education initiatives throughout the region. Generating over $9 million since its inception, it is the most visible event supporting arts education along the First Coast. Sponsorships available via email jessie@capkids.org. Learn more at capkids.org/sfta 🌟
CALLING ALL MUSIC THERAPISTS🎵CAP is hiring a full-time Board Certified Music Therapist!

If you are passionate about making a significant difference through music therapy and thrive in a role where clinical excellence meets creativity, we invite you to apply.  Offering a competitive salary, healthcare coverage, balanced work load and generous paid time off, this is more than a job—it's a chance to be part of something bigger. Join us in shaping the future of arts education and therapeutic services. Board-eligible and board-certified applicants are encouraged to apply.  Apply now at our link in bio! ⭐

#artsed #musictherapy #musictherapists #boardcertifiedmusictherapist
Arts education boosts children's self-image and confidence, especially when they work with peers! Learn more at our link in bio! 🎨🎻👯🎭 
#CAPkidsjax #Artsed #TheArtsAddUp
According to a study from the National Dropout Prevention Center at Clemson University, there is a direct and powerful relationship between arts education and dropout prevention.  Arts learning increases academic self-efficacy and keeps students engaged and in school.  Participation in the arts creates extraordinary change in the lives of children that sets them up to succeed in school and in life. Learn more about the positive impact of CAP programs at capkids.org.💜
Thank you to the Dianne and Charles Rice Family Foundation, The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and the Kids Hope Alliance for enabling CAP to ignite the creative spirits of hundreds of CAP families today!! ✨ #TheArtsAddUp  #CAPkidsjax  #artsed #kidshopealliance

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