Cathedral Arts Project Secures Major Federal Grant to Expand Arts Education

October 17, 2026 - 02:53

The Cathedral Arts Project has received its largest federal grant to date, a development that will significantly broaden the reach of arts education programs in Jacksonville and beyond. The organization's CEO, the Rev. Kimberley Hyatt, said the funding will allow the knowledge and ideas formed in Jacksonville to be shared across the country.

The grant represents a turning point for the nonprofit, which has spent years building arts programs for students who might otherwise have little access to creative instruction. With this new support, the project plans to scale its model, strengthen teacher training, and bring its methods to more schools and communities.

Hyatt described the award as recognition of the work happening locally. She noted that the approaches developed in Jacksonville have proven effective and are now positioned to serve as a resource for other cities looking to improve arts education.

The expansion is expected to create new opportunities for students, educators, and teaching artists. Program leaders say the funding will help sustain long-term growth rather than a short-term push, ensuring that arts instruction remains part of the school experience for years to come.

Community partners welcomed the news, pointing to the role arts play in academic performance and student confidence. The project will begin rolling out expanded programming in the coming months.