Jacksonville's Cathedral Arts Project has secured nearly $4 million in federal, state and philanthropic funding to expand arts education across Northeast Florida and bring its teaching model to classrooms nationwide.

The funding includes a $2.55 million U.S. Department of Education grant, the largest government award in the nonprofit's history and its first direct federal education grant, according to the Florida Times-Union.

A $991,758 state appropriation through the Florida Department of Education will support additional programming, bringing the combined government funding to more than $3.5 million.

The Cathedral Arts Project, known as CAP, announced the awards Thursday, Oct. 15, at its downtown Jacksonville headquarters, joined by students, families and elected officials, First Coast News reported.

Funding to reach thousands more students

CAP served more than 4,300 students during the 2025-26 school year. The new funding is expected to extend arts education to approximately 2,900 additional students in Northeast Florida, according to the Times-Union.

The federal grant will also allow the nonprofit to train 70 educators across the country over three years. Those teachers are projected to reach another 4,200 students through arts instruction.

Jacksonville Today reported that the funding could triple the number of families served by the organization.

The state allocation is also expected to expand arts education opportunities for children in military families.

"What began with 10 students in Duval County has grown through the extraordinary commitment of a community that believes every child deserves access to the arts," the Rev. Kimberly Hyatt, CAP's president and CEO, said during the announcement.

Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Christopher Bernier praised the partnership, noting that arts programs help motivate students to attend school.

"A lot of others get up to be a part of the play, draw, be part of an art class, perform," Bernier told Jacksonville Today.

Federal grant supports national expansion

The $2.55 million federal award came through the U.S. Department of Education's Assistance for Arts Education program. CAP was among 12 organizations selected for funding.

The nonprofit plans to provide largely virtual professional development over three years, with an in-person conference scheduled for the second year.

CAP will also develop a digital curriculum library featuring lesson plans, instructional videos and examples of student artwork.

The effort is intended to help educators incorporate arts instruction into classrooms beyond Northeast Florida.

Additional philanthropic support includes $100,000 from the Hearst Foundations for CAP's Emerging Artists Programs, $50,000 from the Find Your Light Foundation for professional development and $260,000 from an anonymous national foundation.

The new funding follows CAP's REIMAGINE campaign, which exceeded its $26 million fundraising goal in August, according to First Coast News.

Mark LaBorde, chair of the campaign cabinet, said the new government and philanthropic support "shows that the ambition behind REIMAGINE was only the beginning."

State Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, said he plans to seek additional state funding for CAP during the 2027 legislative session, which begins in March, Jacksonville Today reported.

Student art exhibition continues in Jacksonville Beach

Beaches residents can see work by Cathedral Arts Project students at the Starr Sanford Collection in Jacksonville Beach.

The exhibition features prints of student artwork available for purchase through Thursday, Oct. 22, with proceeds benefiting CAP's arts education programs.

The exhibition provides a local opportunity to see work created through the nonprofit's programs as the organization prepares to expand its reach across Florida and beyond.

Fact-check confirmation

The main figures are confirmed by the nonprofit's official Oct. 15 announcement, including the $3.95 million funding package, $2.55 million federal award, $991,758 state appropriation, 70 educators and projected reach of more than 7,000 students.