Guest Post by CAP Board Chair Kristine Cherek
This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Cathedral Arts Project, an organization that has shaped the lives of thousands of children living on the First Coast by providing access to arts education.
When I was a child, art classes were part of the school curriculum throughout elementary and middle school. Unfortunately, over the past four decades, for myriad reasons, funding for the arts has not been prioritized as an essential part of a well-rounded education. This is astounding, given how many career paths hinge on skills developed through the creative process.
World Drum Students from Hyde Park Elementary
From architecture firms and marketing agencies to media organizations and manufacturing companies, creativity is fundamental to the business world. But the arts teach more than artistic skills and creative thinking. They teach innovation, perseverance and teamwork. And, perhaps most importantly, the arts allow us to discover our own voice and use it for good.
CAP Board Chair, Kristine Cherek
I have been a member of CAP’s board of directors since 2017, and this is my third year serving as board chair. I was introduced to CAP through a friend who invited me to attend an event where CAP students performed. I was immediately impressed not only with the quality of the student pieces, but also with the students’ stories about the impact CAP had on their lives. I immediately knew I wanted to get more involved with this impressive organization.
It has been incredibly rewarding to be a part of the impactful work CAP’s team of dedicated professionals, including world-class teaching artists, does in our community. As of this writing, the organization has served 31,000+ students and shaped the lives of generations of children. Students who participate in CAP programs earn higher levels of academic achievement, fewer behavioral violations, and better school attendance. The data gathered proves that arts education is integral to children reaching their full potential as students. In other words, the arts add up to a well-rounded education.
This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Cathedral Arts Project, an organization that has shaped the lives of thousands of children living on the First Coast by providing access to arts education. Share on XIn honor of its 30th anniversary, CAP is hosting an exhibition of student artwork spanning from 2006 to 2022. The exhibition will take place January 8 through February 12 at St. John’s Cathedral — where it all started with just one dance class, a handful of volunteers and 10 children from a nearby transitional housing facility. I invite you to come view their work and celebrate the imagination and creativity of the children in our community.
This was featured as a guest column in the Florida Times-Union.
