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The Arts Keep Kids Engaged and Build Grit, Perseverance, and Teamwork Skills

Today, American children have less opportunity than prior generations to develop their creativity due to the vanishing of school-based arts education. Arts programs are sometimes gutted because of budget cuts, but most often it is to emphasize subjects that are measured by standardized tests. This might seem logical. If these subjects are important, then focusing on them more—even at the expense of other programs—is probably a good idea, right? Simply put, it isn’t. Sacrificing arts programs not only deprives students of the well-rounded education they are promised and deserve, but it also fails to equip them with the life skills they need for academic success.

When you think about a word like grit, you probably envision an athlete training for hours on end—and that certainly requires grit—but take it from someone who has spent tens of thousands of hours becoming a professional pianist: the arts definitely build grit. We now know that the best predictor of a child’s long-term success is not their IQ; it’s their mental resilience and ability to persevere through obstacles. Grit and willpower aren’t just skills—they’re muscles—and like any muscle, the more it’s exercised, the stronger it gets. That’s why learning an instrument or perfecting a dance routine is important. Through practice, children develop willpower habits that come from learning something that isn’t easy. This experience—the gratification you get from overcoming an obstacle—can be replicated in many ways. A 7-year-old who can practice the violin for 10 minutes every day becomes a fourth-grader who completes their homework on time. If they keep these habits throughout life, they are well prepared to achieve their goals.

CAP visual arts students

Many creative practices are like team sports in a way. The arts change the classroom experience from “me” to “we.” In the creative arts, an ensemble is far more powerful than the sum of its parts. In chorus, every member is responsible for holding only one note, but harmony is achieved only when multiple notes blend. This harmony is the result of children working together. Like group sports, it teaches teamwork and how to contribute to something bigger: many voices, one song. Dance, band, theatre and orchestra all have this in common.

Schools with vibrant arts programs have healthy student attendance and good academic ratings. Why? Because the arts keep kids engaged while building the types of personality traits and skills – grit, perseverance, teamwork – that help children excel in academic subjects. This is even more important for children in less affluent neighborhoods, where school communities support students to overcome obstacles inside and outside the classroom. A strong school community plays a vital role in student success. Art exhibitions, theatre performances and dance recitals are opportunities for families to gather, children to shine, and to celebrate accomplishments with the community. They do this while providing children a creative and emotional outlet hard to find elsewhere.

Theatre students at CAP’s 2019 Performing Arts Showcase

The arts programs in our schools are essential. Studies show that students with access to strong arts programs have higher test scores than those without. They provide an outlet for those who most need it, teach invaluable life skills, and bring communities together. By doing this, the arts become a catalyst for academic and life success.

As an educator, I ask that we link arms to ensure every student receives the well-rounded education they are promised and deserve, and that arts education is provided in every school to every child. Talk to your school principals, school board members, and write to elected officials to share why the arts matter. Don’t wait until arts programs are on the chopping block.

When the world shuttered before our eyes, the arts provided a much-needed outlet for our children: they drew rainbows on sidewalks, performed virtual recitals for COVID patients, produced backyard theatre acts for neighbors, and wrote poetry to comfort the world. Learning the arts doesn’t just make better students, it makes better citizens.


 

This letter was also featured on Yahoo! News and the Florida Times-Union.

November 18, 2021

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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