Arts Integration

CAP’s arts integration programs offer schools and partner sites a unique approach to increasing students’ understanding of academic standards. In an arts-integrated curriculum, an art form – whether dance, music, theatre or the visual arts – is used as a tool for learning one or more academic subjects. This approach provides students with new ways to learn and retain lessons, and it provides classroom teachers with techniques that can be recreated and used in the future.

Arts integration makes learning meaningful. It helps students reach academic goals at a high level, build self-confidence, and increase cooperation and collaboration. Numerous independent research studies show statistically significant differences between CAP students and non-CAP peers. Through arts integration programs, research shows that CAP students:

Attend three more days of school during the year
Increase an average of 100 Lexile points*

*ELA arts integration program

Receive half as many behavioral violations
Perform better than students in non-arts integration classes
While all students benefit significantly from arts integration, students who struggle in a particular academic area can rediscover their love for learning. Students who may not show success with the traditional approach to learning often find success with arts integration. That success then gives them more self-confidence to keep learning and growing. In addition, arts integration re-energizes classroom teachers. Teachers become encouraged by the high levels of student engagement, hearing from all voices in the classroom, watching students learn through discovery and learning new teaching strategies to add to their teacher toolbox.

92%

teachers agree that arts integration improves connection and engagement in the classroom

77%

teachers agree that arts integration improves student outcomes

92%

teachers agree that arts integration creates a fun learning experience for students

Testimonials

The social studies arts integration project at John E. Ford PK-8 Montessori greatly influenced student achievement. Our school earned the highest student proficiency rate in the district that year and students became confident learners receiving coordinated arts-integrated teaching strategies. -Paula Renfro, Chief Academic Officer, Duval County Public Schools
We are honored to have CAP in our school to provide support for instruction in an innovative and engaging way. This program exposes our students to theatre and nurtures their creativity by having them learn their grade-level reading concepts and standards using an extraordinary approach through the arts. This successful partnership elevates our instruction to a new level as students can think critically about a text and find unique ways to present their learning which aligns with our school International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. -Davina Parker, Principal, Spring Park Elementary
Partnering with CAP has been an enjoyable and successful experience for our school. Our teachers were provided an arts expert to develop interactive lessons using the new benchmarks and students were excited each week to learn with the teaching artist. Our third-grade students who participated in the arts integration program outscored our other intermediate grade levels on the ELA state assessment. We are delighted to grow our partnership with CAP and look forward to more engaging lessons and student growth in ELA and the arts. Thank you, Cathedral Arts Project, for learning along with us! -Kristin Shore, Principal, Abess Park Elementary

Arts Integration Sites

Abess Park Elementary
Greenland Pines Elementary
Long Branch Elementary
Parkwood Heights Elementary
Ruth N. Upson Elementary
S.A. Hull Elementary
Spring Park Elementary
Twin Lakes Elementary

Arts Integration Sites

Abess Park Elementary
Global Leadership Academy
Greenland Pines Elementary
Highlands Estates Academy
John Love Elementary
Radiant Collective
River City Science Academy Elementary
River City Science Academy Intracoastal
Spring Park Elementary
Springfield Middle
Tiger Academy

For More Information

For more information or to inquire about bringing CAP’s arts integration program to your site, contact Luisa Reis, Vice President of Programs, at luisa@capkids.org. 

CAP is grateful to announce that we have been awarded a Find Your Light Foundation 2025 grant! Their support allows us to continue to empower every child’s creative spirit, ensuring that students in Northeast Florida have access to quality arts education.

Find Your Light is dedicated to supporting exceptional arts programs where the need is greatest, recognizing arts education as an essential part of a young person’s development. Thank you, Find Your Light, for uplifting the power of the arts and helping us make a lasting impact! #capkidsjax
Spring for the Arts celebrates the impact you, our donors, have had on local students, and raises funds for CAP's REIMAGINE Campaign, with the ultimate goal of putting instruments, paintbrushes, scripts and dance shoes in the hands of more children in Northeast Florida than ever before. Get your tickets today at our link in bio! 🎉
Our mission is to inspire every child's creative spirit! #CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp #artsed #strings
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 ✨

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