Vision

CAPE works with 50 Chicago and suburban public schools to foster collaborations among professional teaching artists, classroom teachers, and arts teachers who integrate the arts across the curriculum. Collaborations can take place during the school day or after school and have been ongoing in some schools for as long as 25 years. CAPE serves schools in need, mostly schools that serve low-income students in academically struggling schools. CAPE’s approach to teaching enhances learning in the arts as well as in other core academic areas such as reading, math, science, and social studies. In addition, CAPE’s programs improve social-emotional learning and critical thinking skills.

Goals

1. 1.Professional development for teachers and teaching artists is a core component of CAPE, to develop innovative instruction that exceeds national, state and/or local learning standards.
2. 2.Programs include research and evaluation to build the capacity of participants. CAPE's research has shown that its education benefits students, teachers, and schools.
3. 3.Expanded after school programs now serve 13 schools, 1,300 students every day of the week for the entire school year.