Cathedral Arts Project Expands Nationwide With New Funding
The Jacksonville-based organization is scaling its arts education program after securing nearly $4 million in new capital.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Education — General
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The Jacksonville-founded Cathedral Arts Project has secured $3.95 million to expand its arts education model across the United States. This initiative aims to train 70 educators and reach 7,000 additional students over the next three years.
Why it matters
The funding supports the nationwide expansion of the Teaching Artist Fellowship model and provides wider access to arts-integrated education. This effort seeks to broaden the reach of programs currently serving 7,100 students in Northeast Florida and beyond.
The organization received $2.55 million from the U.S. Department of Education and $991,758 from the Florida Department of Education. Additional support includes $100,000 from Hearst Foundations and $50,000 from the Find Your Light Foundation.
The players
Cathedral Arts Project
Founded in 1993, this organization provides arts education to students to foster creative and academic development.
U.S. Department of Education
This federal agency establishes policy for, administers, and coordinates most federal assistance to education.
Florida Department of Education
This state-level agency oversees the public education system in Florida.
Hearst Foundations
This philanthropic organization supports educational and cultural programs across the United States.
Find Your Light Foundation
This charitable organization focuses on expanding access to arts education for young people.
The details
The expansion centers on the Teaching Artist Fellowship model, which will train educators through virtual and in-person sessions. Additionally, the organization is building a digital curriculum database featuring instructional videos, lesson plans, and student work examples.
Timeline
1993: Cathedral Arts Project was founded in Jacksonville.
2025: The REIMAGINE campaign was officially launched.
October 2026: The funding announcement was made.
3-year period: The duration of the grant-funded expansion.
Culture Shift
The expansion follows the industry trend highlighted in the Arts Education Partnership's research on arts integration by formalizing Teaching Artist models for national use. This move capitalizes on the growing demand for arts-integrated curricula in schools nationwide.
Northeast Florida families can expect increased access to specialized arts curricula as the organization scales its local foundation. The influx of funding enables more resources to be integrated into classrooms, directly impacting how students engage with arts-based learning.
The takeaway
This funding allows the organization to codify its teaching practices for a wider national audience. Educators and students across the country will benefit from the shift toward digital-accessible arts lesson plans.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in local and national programming on the Education — General page.
More information
View program details or resources on the Cathedral Arts Project website.
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Should public funds be prioritized to expand arts education programs in your community?
