More than 80 students from West Riverside Elementary School are experiencing Jacksonville’s art and culture scene during their summer vacation thanks to a field trip initiative from the Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) in collaboration with other community and cultural organizations.
Launched June 11 and running through July 18, the program provides free arts and cultural experiences to participating students, who can complete field trip “passports” at each excursion and have access to supplemental worksheets and other online resources to build upon the learning experience at each destination.
“This arts program over the summer gives our kids an opportunity to explore their own creativity,” said Dr. Talya Taylor, principal for West Riverside Elementary.
The West Riverside students comprise just a fraction of the thousands of children participating in this summer initiative from CAP in partnership with the Kids Hope Alliance, Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Up to 4,500 students are enjoying field trips to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville, Jacksonville Symphony, Ritz Theatre & Museum, Florida Theatre, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville Dance Theatre and the Jessie Ball duPont Center.
“To experience art in person is an opportunity for inspiration that every child deserves,” said Kids Hope Alliance CEO Dr. Saralyn Grass. “We are proud to partner with CAP to make sure all children have access to cultural experiences that are sure to positively impact their lives today and possibly their future, as well.”
Dr. Lucy Chen, CAP vice president of advocacy and engagement, said that survey data conducted in collaboration with the University of North Florida indicated that providing children with access to the arts can have a significant impact on their performance in other school subjects, including literacy, math and science.
“We learned that actually having just one or two field trips can drastically improve students’ academic achievement,” Chen said, “and that is particularly important for elementary-aged students.”
