Who We Are

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CAPE is both an educational organization and an arts organization, making it unique among both. CAPE serves education by providing an integrated arts education program that blends innovation, consistency and research into teachable programs that really work. As an arts organization, CAPE encourages the professional development of teaching artists in the visual arts, dance, music and theater. Teaching artists bring their skills, their imagination, and their enthusiasm to the school arts integration programs. Opportunities for exhibition are also provided.

In fact, CAPE’s greatest strength is its unique ability to successfully bridge the frequent divide between arts and education.

CAPE believes that high quality arts education is essential to increasing success among students in CPS schools. CAPE serves more than 5,000 students, kindergarten through high school, in 130 CPS schools across the city with fully integrated arts programs guided by teaching artists and classroom teachers. In addition, CAPE annually provides professional development for 325 teachers.

CAPE teaching artists and classroom teachers collaborate by utilizing music, visual arts, dance and drama to develop creativity, independent thought and success. CAPE offers in-school and after school programs in a variety of school settings. With an impressive research agenda guided by a full time research associate and several university based research consultants, CAPE measures each program over time. Results are shared with other educators in this country and abroad.

CAPE students explore academic subjects, including math, science, social studies, and literature, through the arts. CAPE’s cadre of more than 50 teaching artists all currently work in their fields, whether painting, photography or other visual arts, dance, music or theater. They bring a wealth of subject knowledge and emotional strength to their work. Collaborating classroom teachers bring knowledge of individual students, school culture, and parental support. Together they blend the best of what they know for the benefit of the students they teach.