Blog

Letter of Support from Paula Renfro, Chief Academic Officer of Duval County Public Schools

The Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and this extraordinary organization has made a powerful impact on the lives of tens of thousands of students 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.

A woman smiling at the camera

Paula Renfro, DCPS Chief Academic Officer

In 2000, I became the principal of J. Allen Axson Montessori School. The public elementary school was in the early stages of a partnership with CAP to offer a visual arts program after school. Opportunities for arts education were limited due to budget constraints at the time. We later shifted to the CAP strings program. It was a game-changer for our students. Many children who participated in the strings program pursued their musical journey into adulthood.

In later years, I was fortunate to serve as principal at John E. Ford PK-8 Public Montessori School and continued our partnership with CAP through formal dance instruction and arts integration. The many students who took dance experienced and developed a new understanding of the powerful machine of the body. In addition, our seventh-grade students participated in a unique arts integration program that blended theatre and government curriculum standards. This innovative approach proved not only to be fun, but also earned the students a 94% rating — the top score for the district — in state civics proficiency.

There is an incredible amount of research that proves arts integration enhances a student’s ability to thrive both academically and socially. Arts education extends the talents of children, allowing them to reach their full potential. It positively impacts school attendance, social connectedness and academic achievement through perseverance — a necessary mindset for the arts.

Dancers wearing white on stage

CAP students from John E. Ford PK-8 Public Montessori School dance at the 2019 Performing Arts Showcase

I believe what sets CAP apart from other arts enrichment programs is the formal skill development in a focused arts discipline, due to their highly qualified instructors. I worked closely with them as a principal for 16 years, and I can testify from that experience how essential arts education is to student success. CAP is expanding its teaching artist fellowship program to allow for more professional artist educators to teach full-time in Duval County Public Schools and community centers at a time when children need it most.

The pandemic has taken its toll on the entire education system. I am so grateful for CAP’s excellent work in partnering with our schools and look forward to its continued success.

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

April 26, 2023

"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
Did you know? The arts add up to increased graduation rates, a stronger economy and more creative individuals equipped to solve the challenges of tomorrow. Learn more about why #TheArtsAddUp and how you can support CAP's mission by visiting the link in our bio. #CAPkidsjax  #artsed
Learning any art form allows children and youth to gain essential skills like creative thinking, perseverance, teamwork, and self-discipline that benefit them in all areas of their life. The arts provide experiences that are personally enriching, building the confidence and character children need to excel. Visit the link in our bio to learn more about how CAP instructs, instills, and inspires students in our community!  #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax #artsed
“We all have dreams, but making dreams come to life takes a lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort—that is the most important lesson I’ve learned through CAP.”

Every child has a creative spirit. For some, it comes alive through the visual arts: turning blank pages and digital canvases into expressions of hope. For others, it breathes through their bodies – transforming notes, choreography, and words into personal statements of joy.
 
Children develop the technical skills to prepare for these moments through instruction in the arts. Along the way, the arts develop their unique strengths – like self-confidence, creative thinking, self-respect, empathy and perseverance. Learn more at the link in our bio.
Excitement is building as CAP students prepare for the upcoming Performing Arts Showcase on April 13! Dance, music and theatre performers will take the stage and give their all as they show their friends and family what they've worked so hard to achieve this year. The opportunity to perform at Showcase serves as a reward for students' hard work and reinforces the self-confidence and maturity fostered in CAP
programs. We cannot wait to see them shine! Learn more at capkids.org/showcase.
Support CAP today! For 30 years, CAP has been a catalyst for change, providing transformative arts experiences to thousands of students each year. Through our programs, we have unlocked the doors to creativity and self-expression for children and young adults, helping them find their voice and passion. 

We aim to reach more children, schools and communities, and your support enables us to do so. Please join us as we embark on this incredible journey into the next chapter – 30 more years of empowering every child’s creative spirit!

Visit the link in our bio to support.
Did you know? Not only does participation in the arts unleash a child's creative spirit, but research shows clear links between arts involvement and positive outcomes in academics, school attendance, creative and critical thinking, personal behavior, and social and civic participation. Learn more about why the arts are important, and how you can support CAP's mission, by visiting the link in our bio.

JOIN THE CAP MAILING LIST