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11 Inspiring Things Our Arts Students Told Us in 2025

December is often one of the busiest, most stressful times of year—a time when we could all use a little inspiration to keep us going. Thankfully, our students inspire us every day and remind us of the magic and joy of this time of year, too.

To add a little joy to your day, we’ve gathered 11 things we heard from CAP students this year that really stood out to us. Some are funny, some are genuinely heartwarming, but all of them showcase the unique perspective our students bring to the world. They’re a testament to the infinite positive ways arts education affects young people.

Here are our 11 favorite quotes from CAP students this year, in no particular order:

"At first, I wanted to stay home and just play Fortnite or something. But the days passed by, and I really started to like it here. And now that I'm on my last day, I'm sad and stuff." - Larry, visual arts student

"CAP helped my voice be louder!" -Anonymous student

My CAP class helped me grow by helping me trust myself more and helping me become a better actor! –Performing arts student

I don’t really get to paint at home so instead of asking for a toy or something else, I asked my mom if I could do this art class instead." –Virginia, visual arts student

“Ms. Taylor says I have to take responsibility for myself as an artist. I have to take responsibility for myself as a leader.” –World drums student, Hyde Park Elementary

“I saw [violinist] Lindsey Stirling in concert, and I want to learn to play like her." –CAP beginner string student, Global Leadership Academy

“The best thing about my class is that it teaches a lot of things in a lot of ways, like if you messed up, then keep on going, no matter what. And if anything happens, you gotta continue.” –Performing arts student

“CAP class helped me understand there are a whole bunch of people with anxiety, and I learned that I don't have to have anxiety—I just have to chuck it out the window.” –Art counseling student

"Ms. Lindsay, will you please tell my mom all the things I'm good at?" –Leo, visual arts student, Radiant Collective

CAP helps me grow socially, and helps me learn a lot of songs, sight reading and a lot of other stuff! –Anonymous student

CAP helped me pay attention better to learning. –Arts integration student

Which quote was your favorite? We invite you to share it on social media to brighten your friends’ days as well—and don’t forget to tag @CathedralArts on Facebook or @CathedralArtsProject on Instagram!

December 15, 2025

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

CAP’s Encore summer camps keep students engaged and creating when school’s out. Spots are limited, so register your young artists now at our link in bio!🌞
Classes will be held at 4001 Hendricks Avenue, 32207.

CAP Summer camp offerings include:
Summer Music Exploration: Ukulele
Summer Music Exploration: Strings
CAPSO Strings Camp: Summer Musical
CAP Studio Artists: Summer Sessions
CAP Theatre Company: Summer Musical Experience

Enroll today! 🎻🎭🎨🎵
Only one month away! Join CAP for the 21st Annual Spring for the Arts on Friday, April 17 at Epping Forest Yacht Club. Get your tickets to attend or become a sponsor today at our link in bio.💜

At this signature fundraiser, CAP is honored to celebrate Kristine Cherek & Kirk Larsen as the 2026 Guardians of the Arts for their efforts to safeguard and advance the arts. Spring for the Arts also celebrates community engagement in support of funding arts education initiatives throughout the region. Generating over $9 million since its inception, it is the most visible event supporting arts education along the First Coast. Join us in support of essential arts education that recognizes, grows and amplifies every child’s unique skills and strengths.🎨🎻👯👯
Always wanted to volunteer at CAP? This is your opportunity! We need six volunteers for the Performing Arts Showcase on Friday, March 27 at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. Experience the excitement of this annual event and support CAP through volunteering. Email melanie@capkids.org your availability and register as a volunteer at our link in bio.🎉

The Performing Arts Showcase is the highlight of the year for CAP performing arts students, teachers and families. The student performances include theatre, ballet, hip hop, strings, percussion, chorus and much more! 👯🎵🎻🎭
Learning an art form—whether dance, music, theatre or the visual arts—allows children and youth to gain essential skills, like creative thinking, perseverance, teamwork and self-discipline, that benefit them in all areas of their lives. The arts provide experiences that are personally enriching, building the confidence and character children need to excel. Learn more about our programs at our link in bio. 🎵👯🎭🎨 #TheArtsAddUp
CAP is hiring a Full Time Clinical Creative Art Counselor! The Clinical Creative Art Counselor is responsible for sensory art based programming and art counseling programming for select Exceptional Student Education (ESE) centers and elementary, middle and/or high schools in the region. 
If you are passionate about making a significant difference through art counseling and sensory art and thrive in a role where clinical excellence meets creativity, we invite you to apply at our link in bio. 💜🎨🖌️
Cathedral Arts Project is excited to participate in THE PLAYERS Championship 2026 Chip-in for Charity Fundraising Program. When you purchase tickets to THE PLAYERS, enter code 649CME and CAP will receive a portion of the proceeds! 

The tickets available are Stadium Passes, which provide general grounds access for Thursday, March 12, 2026 through Sunday, March 15, 2026 only. Purchasers must select the day(s) they would like to attend THE PLAYERS at the time of purchase. Individuals can purchase tickets through Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, while supplies last. Click our link in bio and don't forget to enter code 649CME for CAP!💜
"The Cathedral Arts Project Program has made a powerful impact on our 6th-grade students this year. By integrating theatre with writing instruction, the CAP teacher seamlessly blended performance and academics, boosting student confidence, collaboration, and creativity.
Students learned essential writing skills while building scripts, developing characters, and performing live. This approach not only fostered teamwork and social growth but also contributed to the highest ELA scores we’ve seen to date. We’re eager to see the writing scores this summer, as we expect continued growth. The final performances were a proud showcase of their hard work and a testament to how the arts can elevate student success in every way." - Site Administrator, River City Science Academy Intracoastal.

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. Learn more at our link in bio. #FLCelebratesLiteracy #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax  #ArtsIntegration #StudentSuccess
Save the date! Join us on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club for the Cathedral Arts Project’s most anticipated evening of the year, the 21st Annual Spring for the Arts – CAP’s signature fundraiser. Savor delectable drinks and gourmet cuisine, bid on extraordinary live and silent auction items, and dance the night away with the Bold City Classics!💃

CAP is honored to announce it will celebrate Kristine Cherek & Kirk Larsen as the 2026 Guardians of the Arts for their efforts to safeguard and advance the arts. Spring for the Arts also celebrates community engagement in support of funding arts education initiatives throughout the region. Sponsorships available via email jessie@capkids.org. Learn more at capkids.org/sfta.🎉
Since December was a blur, we wanted to spotlight some wonderful CAP performances during the holiday season!  If you had a chance to see our incredible CAP students at opening night of Deck the Chairs, Downtown Art Walk, the First Coast Design Show or at one of the many school-based winter performances around town, make sure to tag CAP in your social media pics!💜

Thank you to all the families, students, friends and supporters who make this kind of community engagement possible. For more info visit capkids.org. 🌟
 #CAPkidsjax
Hurry! There are only a few spots left for the CAP Studio Artists Spring Workshop Series. CAP Studio Artists is an immersive visual art program designed for young creators grades 3 - 8, ready to take their artistic practice to the next level.🎨

Register your budding artist NOW for classes starting January 10 at our link in bio🎉

CAP has partnered with Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church for this program, so classes will be held at 4001 Hendricks Avenue, beginning Saturday, January 10, 2026 - May 9, 2026.

Over eight sessions, students will elevate their foundational art skills while developing their own unique creative voices. At the end of the program, every artist will present one completed piece in our Visual Art Showcase, professionally installed and exhibited in a local gallery—celebrating their growth, mastery, and creative journey! 🎨🖌️
#CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp #artsed

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