CAP celebrates the close of its 30th anniversary yearlong celebration. The 2023 year marks a significant chapter in CAP’s story, one characterized by remarkable growth and collaboration, thanks to the dedication of its team and the generous spirit of the community.
CAP announces it raised $119,360 in support of arts education at its 7th Annual CAP Golf Tournament, presented by Fickling Construction. The event was held on October 2, 2023, at Deerwood Country Club. Since its inception, the tournament has raised over $735,000.
CAP announced the acquisition of Connecting Thru Music, a nonprofit organization that offers in-school and afterschool music therapy programs for children and young adults with disabilities. Under this agreement, CTM’s music therapy services have been integrated into CAP’s CAPabilities program — broadening the availability of these offerings to increase access to arts education for students with disabilities in Northeast Florida.
CAP announced the appointment of Doug Walker as Vice President of Philanthropy, expanding its leadership team and positioning the organization for continued strategic growth. CAP also welcomes Jessie Brabender into her new position as Director of Leadership Giving.
CAP welcomes two new staff members. Ashlee Collins is announced as the new Petway Teaching Artist Fellow in Visuals Arts and Peyton Bryant joins the CAP team as Program Coordinator.
CAP announces a new Chair and Chair-Elect, as well as seven new members to its Board of Directors—each of whom will continue to elevate 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.
CAP, in partnership with Kids Hope Alliance, the Florida Theatre, Duval County Public Schools and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, hosted a pilot field trip program for elementary school students from both public and charter schools. The effort is meant to increase student interest and access to the arts.
CAP’s 18th annual Spring for the Arts was held on Friday, April 21 at Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club and raised a record-breaking $805,449 in support of arts education for children and youth in Northeast Florida.
For many children, school is the only place where they have an opportunity to experience the arts. I know this from personal experience growing up in a rural community, where the only exposure to the arts came from my public school. My junior high band teacher opened up a new world to me; learning how to play an instrument was a life-changing experience that I carried with me into my career as an educator and administrator.
The CAP String Orchestra Trio was awarded first prize in the ensemble category at the Crescendo International Music Competition (CIC), a youth music nonprofit that aims to inspire individuals to pursue their passion for music. As prize winners, the students were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
CAP has been approved for a $50,000 Grants for Arts Projects award from the NEA to continue its work on the Landscape of Education in the Arts in Duval and introduce a new Arts in Schools Certification system allowing for more transparency in supporting equitable access to arts education.
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.