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CAP Celebrates 30 Years in Jacksonville

CAP kicked off its 30th-anniversary celebration with a mayoral proclamation of Cathedral Arts Project Day on January 30, 2023, and an exhibition of children’s artwork at St. John’s Cathedral on view until February 12. The exhibition, “Celebrating 30 Years Empowering Children Through the Arts” includes artworks created by students in CAP programs from 2006 to 2022 as well as a historical timeline of the organization’s milestones over the past three decades.

CAP was founded in 1993 by Gail Weltsek and her son along with a small group of volunteers at St. John’s Cathedral in downtown Jacksonville. It began with just one dance class for 10 children who lived in a nearby transitional housing facility. Within three years, the organization began to include dance programs at area elementary schools, and in 2000 it received its 501(c)(3) designation. Today, the organization has provided over 33,000 students, primarily living in under-resourced communities in Duval County, with professional arts education in art as therapy, dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts.

CAP’s second dance recital, 1997

“For 30 years, the Cathedral Arts Project has stayed true to its mission to make quality arts education accessible to all children, and we will continue to expand our programs as we pursue this goal,” said President & CEO Rev. Kimberly L. Hyatt, “At CAP, we know from our data that nourishing a child’s creative spirit and innovative thinking also supports their ability to reach their full potential as a student and garner a better understanding of their own humanity.”

In 2013, CAP engaged the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to be considered for their Any Given Child program. Jacksonville became the 14th Any Given Child (AGC) community, one of only 27 designations in the nation. Working through a collective impact model with CAP, Duval County Public Schools, local arts organizations, artists and community leaders, AGC Jacksonville ensures all K-8 students in Duval County have equitable access to learning in the arts. Data shows since 2014, there has been a 30% increase in the number of full-time DCPS arts educators, aligning directly with the timeline of CAP and AGC’s partnership. On average, CAP students score 7 points higher on standardized tests, achieve higher grade proficiency, perform better in science, and receive half as many behavioral violations in comparison to students not participating in CAP programs. Over a 10-year period, 97% of CAP students were promoted to the next grade level and 84% increased “grit” indicators such as class participation and task completion.

A group of students in aprons stands in front of their artwork on a wall

CAP visual arts students, circa early 2000s

A recent objective of the organization has been to better understand the challenges schools face in providing critical arts education and work to find solutions. In addition to supporting children’s educational goals, the LEAD artlook® map launched by CAP in 2019 has provided Duval County schools and community stakeholders with data needed to identify deficits in funding, resources and programs in the arts offered by public schools. In 2021, the data collected showed that 84% of principals were in need of art supplies and equipment, while 63% expressed that a dedicated arts budget would be beneficial to their student community. By gathering this data, CAP helps stakeholders identify how best to allocate resources to schools in support of making arts education equitable in Duval County.

a group of students on a stage

CAP Students at Performing Arts Showcase, circa early 2000s

Hiring high-caliber, full-time teaching artist fellows to conduct its arts programs in the community is the organization’s most recent expansion in services. Over the last several years, CAP’s board, staff, and local and national community partners gathered to rethink, redefine and reimagine how to expand CAP’s reach to more children while maintaining the quality of its programs. Transitioning from its longstanding model of a large roster of part-time teaching artists, CAP is building a smaller team of full-time teaching artist fellows who are able to teach more programs throughout the year, thereby reaching more students in more ways. No other organization in the country uses this unique model to leverage such far-ranging outcomes.

CAP celebrates 30 years in Jacksonville! The organization has provided over 31,000 students in Duval with professional arts education in art as therapy, dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts. Share on X

“CAP is an organization pursuing systemic change in how we deliver and evaluate the impact of arts education on children,” said Kristine Cherek, CAP Board Chair. “Our important work has impacted the lives of generations of children in Northeast Florida over the past three decades and will continue to build on its incredible foundation and proven track record.”

This post was updated for accuracy on July 10, 2023.

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

Transforming lives through art: The Cathedral Arts Project is a nationally recognized nonprofit provider of arts education and therapeutic programs for children and young adults in Northeast Florida. Visit link in bio to learn more! #capkidsjax
Donors like you allow CAP to ensure all students in Northeast Florida have access to a quality arts education. 

Your gift will help support CAP's summer programs and prepare for the 2025-2026 school year. CAP staff and volunteers are gathering  supplies, ordering youth-size T-shirts and hiring exceptional teaching artists to ensure local students have everything they need to dance, sing, play and create from day one!

Will you join us in reimagining what’s possible for arts education? Donate today at our link in bio. 💜
Last chance to visit CAP’s Visual Arts Showcase at the Alexander Brest Gallery through June 4! It’s a truly spectacular exhibition of over 250 artworks created by CAP students throughout the year. Showcase is the ultimate finale and this exhibition aims to inspire a sense of pride and joy, instill a lifelong appreciation of the arts and celebrate every child’s creative spirit. Don’t miss it! #CAPkidsjax #theartsaddup
CAP’s Annual Visual Arts Showcase Reception this morning was a huge success! Congratulations to the student artists, their teaching artist fellows and teaching artists for the incredible display of creativity and inspiration! You have until June 4 to visit. Click here for more info capkids.org/visual-arts-showcase-2025/ 
#TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax 🎉🎨
It’s imperative to hear about the impact of our programs directly from our students! CAP’s vision is for Northeast Florida to lead the nation in providing essential arts education that recognizes, grows and amplifies every child’s unique skills and strengths. capkids.org ⭐️ #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax
It's teacher appreciation week and we are all excited to celebrate our amazing CAP Teaching Artist Fellows, Teaching Artists, teaching assistants and classroom partners! 

Through CAP programs, children and young adults in NE Florida, across various educational settings receive quality, standards-based instruction in dance, music, theatre and visual arts. CAP also provides specialized programs designed for students with disabilities, including art counseling, music therapy and sensory arts. 

None of this would occur without the passion and dedication of our exemplary CAP teaching artists. We'd like to send them all a deep and resounding thank you, for the important work they do every day to empower each and every child’s creative spirit! #ThankATeacher #TheArtsAddUp
The first show of the Performing Arts Showcase 2025 is a wrap! Thank you to everyone who has supported our incredible performers this year -- no matter how you choose to show that support. None of this would be possible without you! #capkidsjax #artsed #theartsaddup
Performing Arts Showcase rehearsals are in progress here at the @jaxperformingartscenter! We're amazed at the dedication and talent on display this morning. Which performance are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments! #theartsaddup #artsed #showtime
Our mission is to inspire every child's creative spirit! #CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp #artsed #strings
Every heart needs art! Happy Valentines Day❤️
#TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax #artsed
It was an unforgettable day at the The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Hundreds of guests enjoyed the fun and engaging activities during the CAP Family Day at the Cummer! 

Students and their families participated in Intro to Improv, Nature Printmaking, Needle Felting, World Drums, Positive Words Graffiti, Jazz-Tastic Dance, Boom Whackers, a Museum Scavenger Hunt and an Instrument Petting Zoo! Thanks to CAP Teaching Artist Fellows, staff and volunteers for your efforts today. Special thanks to the Cummer Museum for graciously hosting our amazing families! #CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp
Research indicates that theatre training for children significantly improves their public speaking skills by building confidence, enhancing vocal projection, developing effective body language and fostering emotional intelligence through character exploration. The practice of performing on stage in a supportive environment helps kids feel comfortable expressing themselves publicly and it's fun! Learn more about our theatre programs at capkids.org #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax

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