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From the President & CEO: Reflecting on 20 Years of Arts Leadership in Jacksonville

Leading the Cathedral Arts Project for the past 20 years has provided a perfect perch from which to observe the rise of Jacksonville’s arts sector. As the sector has grown healthier, so has the quality of life for all residents, including our young students and our business sector as well. This is because the city of Jacksonville recognizes that the arts are not a luxury for the few but an essential for all that intersects with every aspect of our lives. 

Jacksonville is a city that supported a ballot referendum to, in part, provide an increase in access to arts education for students under the leadership of Superintendent Greene and a school board that understands education must include the arts. Jacksonville is a city that consistently invests in the arts, including providing annual grants to 30 organizations through the Cultural Service Grant Program. In recent years, these awards have been at an increasing level thanks to Mayor Curry and our city council. 

Two people holding mayoral proclamation

Mayor Curry and The Rev. Kimberly L. Hyatt holding mayoral proclamation for October 2021 National Arts and Humanties Month

CAP’s decade-long partnership with the Kennedy Center put Jacksonville on the map as the nation’s 14th Any Given Child community. CAP continues to lead a cross-sector coalition with a shared vision 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. 

We know that having gateway experiences in the arts as a child, ideally before the pre-teen years, is critically important in cultivating sustained involvement in the arts throughout one’s lifetime. CAP has provided more than 31,000 children with year-long education in an art form through our afterschool programs alone. Afterschool arts programs save cities $9 for every $1 spent by reducing welfare and crime costs, improving academic performance and increasing children’s future earning potential. Studies show that an investment in arts education is an investment in good citizenship. 

a group of students smile while holding medals on purple ribbons

CAP theatre students from Beauclerc Elementary School

Today, Jacksonville has vibrant arts and cultural events virtually every day of the week. We boast a thriving public art program and are home to regionally and nationally acclaimed institutions, as well as artists and creatives of all types. 

The future of CAP and the future of Jacksonville is brighter and bolder than ever thanks to our creative capital and the attention we are paying to the power of the arts to change lives and to change our world. As we celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month, let’s celebrate how far we have come with arts education for students in Jacksonville, knowing that the arts add up to increased graduation rates, a stronger economy and more creative individuals equipped to solve the challenges of tomorrow. 

This was featured as a guest column in the Florida Times-Union

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

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
Research from organizations like the Arts Education Partnership, show 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. 

Through CAP programs, children and young adults receive quality, standards-based instruction in dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts. Learn more at capkids.org. #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax
Did you know that the arts support students’ social and emotional development, increase empathy, reduce intolerance and generate acceptance of others?

School partnerships with arts organizations can mitigate disparities in students’ arts learning opportunities and resources. Studies consistently demonstrate that the arts are intrinsically beneficial and an essential component of a well-rounded education. Learn more about #artsed by visiting capkids.org. #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax
Congratulations to the CAP String Orchestra for their festive live performance on First Coast News this morning. Happy Holidays! #capkidsjax #theartsaddup
Congratulations to the Neptune Beach Elementary Music Therapy students for a wonderful Winter Wonderland Holiday Performance! Extra special thanks to Hembree Poindexter of UpBeat Music Therapy, and her intern Eli, for their unwavering dedication to the success of their students. Thanks to @theanthonyaustin for emceeing the festivities, the classroom teachers, school and CAP staff and board members for your support. The holiday spirit is in full swing! #CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp #artsed
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

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