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CAP Supports Duval County School District Ad Valorem Millage Referendum

CAP announced its support of the Duval County School District Ad Valorem Referendum to increase funding to enhance art, music and athletic programs, attract and retain highly qualified teachers and staff through additional compensation, and provide proportionate funding for charter schools.  

CAP’s mission is to empower every child’s creative spirit, elevate arts educators in their field, and advocate for access and equity in arts education. For these reasons, the organization endorses the referendum.

A group of students singing

CAP Chorus Students from Jacksonville Heights Elementary

The proposed Ad Valorem Referendum, if passed as currently written, would provide much-needed funding to support art, music and athletic programs and the hiring and retention of expert teachers and staff through additional compensation in Duval County Public Schools (DCPS). This programming, combined with the experiences provided by CAP, would ensure more children receive quality arts education opportunities that prepare them for tomorrow’s workforce, facilitate healthy self-expression and nurture future leaders. 

“Arts education is essential for every child’s academic achievement and the development of life skills,” said CAP President & CEO Kimberly Hyatt. “Research shows that strong arts programs consistently lead to higher student performance, which is why CAP supports this referendum that will increase funding for arts programs in our public schools.”  

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, CAP administered the Landscape of Education in the Arts in Duval (LEAD) survey in 2021 to evaluate access gaps and resource needs in all Duval County public schools. In its findings, 53% of principals indicated having only $0.01-$3.99 to spend on the arts per student per year and 82% stated they needed additional arts resources such as supplies and equipment. Most notably, CAP found that schools with more arts programming and arts educators have higher school performance grades. 

Bubble chart reflecting DCPS arts resource requests: Supplies & Equipment: 82.42%; Dedicated Arts Budget: 62.64%; Additional Arts Staffing: 51.65%; Arts Integration: 50.55%; Curriculum Assistance: 25.27%; Mentorship Exchange: 20.88%

LEAD survey results show a majority of administrators and arts educators express the need for access to additional supplies and equipment, dedicated budgets and increased staffing to enhance arts programs in schools.

Research shows that involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking and verbal skills. On average, children who participate in CAP programs for one year: 

-Score seven points higher on standardized tests
-Achieve higher grade level proficiency
-Perform better in science
-Receive half as many behavioral violations 

Over a 10-year period, 97% of CAP students were promoted to the next grade level and 84% strengthened communication skills with peers and adults and increased “grit” indicators such as class participation and task completion. 

Why support the millage referendum? CAP LEAD Data Analysis Confirms 82% of School Principals Need Additional Resources for Arts Education Share on X

CAP is a nationally recognized nonprofit provider of quality visual and performing arts instruction for school-aged children in Northeast Florida. In its nearly 30-year history, through private/public partnerships with DCPS and other community organizations, it has provided more than 31,000 students with innovative visual and performing arts education. With nearly 108,000 students enrolled in DCPS (FLDOE Student Enrollment Counts 2021-22), CAP is currently able to reach a fraction of the children in our community who could benefit from the proven results of arts education.   

“Investing in the arts is an investment in the future of our youth and in our community,” said CAP Board Chair Kristine Cherek. “The arts improve the lives and academic performance of students, strengthening Jacksonville’s future workforce and our economy.” 

For more information about the LEAD survey data, click here, and for more information about the millage referendum, visit dcps.duvalschools.org/vote. 


CAP Alum Henry Supports Duval County Millage Referendum

Hear from Henry, a CAP alum and arts advocate, on why supporting the Duval County Ad Valorem Referendum is important for arts education and for our community’s children.


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.

 

Kick off the holiday season TONIGHT at James Weldon Johnson Park during Art Walk for the CAP Student Holiday Show. Our Vice President of Programs, Luisa Reis and a CAP student will be live on air at 5:30 PM on WJXT! 

Students from Hyde Park World Drums, Abess Park Chorus, Chaffee Trail Dance and CAPSO quartet will be performing from 5 - 6 pm before the tree lighting.🎄Don't miss it! #ArtWalkJax #CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp
We are grateful for the remarkable growth of the Cathedral Arts Project this year. Growth stems from generosity—of time, resources, and support. Thanks to your generosity, we've reached new heights, ensuring creativity thrives for thousands of children in Northeast Florida. Happy Thanksgiving!
Through the generous sponsorship of PNC Bank, CAP partnered with MOSH today for an exciting and fun event! CAP families enjoyed an arts integrated celebration and exploration of science, nature and the St. John’s River. Through activities like storytelling, acting, making music and creating visual art, we celebrated our community’s most valuable resources, our children and our environment! Special thanks to our CAP team, volunteers and @thejessiejax @kidshopealliancejax @pncfoundation @stuartstotts @moshjax  #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax #artsed ✨
Countless studies reinforce what we see every day—children who participate in the arts consistently show striking improvement in class participation and academic achievement, grow in their ability to communicate effectively, and gain the insights, empathy and language needed to understand themselves, others and the world around them. Visit capkids.org for information about how you can help support our #artsed mission. #CAPkidsJax #TheArtsAddUp
CAP instructs, instills and inspires through a variety of offerings including afterschool, school day and summer programs, cultural experiences, advocacy, community partnerships and professional development.

Through CAP programs, children and young adults receive quality, standards-based instruction in dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts. Learn more about our #artsed programs at capkids.org.
#CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp
"The most important thing I learned in my CAP class is to inspire other kids and follow your dreams." From students to stakeholders - the commitment to CAP’s long-running programs is due to the compelling nature of our curriculum, the quality of our local teaching artists and the desire of children and families to embrace education in the arts as a means of fostering true change in their lives. Learn more about our programs at capkids.org. #CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp #artsed
CAP’s vision is for Northeast Florida to lead the nation in providing essential and accessible arts education that recognizes, grows and amplifies every child’s unique skills and strengths. 

The driving force behind all CAP programs is the belief that the arts matter—they provide essential skills, like creative thinking, perseverance, teamwork and self-discipline that benefit all people in all areas of their lives. 
Visit capkids.org for more info. #CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp
Artistic expression communicates the feelings, preferences, interests and experiences of the artist. Arts education provides children with essential tools to communicate more clearly, providing insight into a better understanding of each other and themselves. Learn more about our #artsed programs and our mission to inspire the creative spirit in every child at capkids.org. #TheArtsAddUp #artsed #CAPkidsjax
Did you know? Arts learning improves cognitive development in children, including verbal communication attentions skills and memory retrieval that also apply to other subject areas. 

Learn more about how you can support CAP’s mission to empower every child’s creative spirit, elevate arts educators in their field and advocate for access and equity in arts education by visiting our link in bio. 
#TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax #artsed
Arts learning improves cognitive development, verbal communication, attention skills and memory retrieval. CAP's sensory arts program at Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center inspires growth in these areas and beyond.  Learn more about how you can contribute to our mission to empower every child’s creative spirit, elevate arts educators in their field & advocate for access and equity in arts education by clicking the link in our bio. #TheArtsMatter #CAPkidsJax #artsed

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