Community Arts Program
Miami-Dade County
Mark Hart, Founder & Executive Producer
The Community Arts Program (CAP) serves a diverse community with educational and culturally enriching experiences through the transforming power of the arts. In 1985, the Coral Gables Congregational Church inaugurated its Summer Concert Series featuring local up-and-coming artists. Its Spanish-revival architecture and lively acoustics made the church a uniquely suitable environment to connect local audiences with exceptional artists. 34 years later, the church remains a highly regarded champion of the arts. In 2003, the Community Arts Program was established, made up of the Summer Concert Series and the newly-formed Conservatory for the Arts.
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Today, the Summer Concert Series brings a yearly roster of the most prestigious classical and jazz artists from around the world to Miami-Dade County. The CAP Conservatory for the Arts offers affordable music curricula to all youth – no matter their circumstances – through needs-based, sliding-scale tuition. Students receive private instruction on their chosen instrument and comprehensive music theory classes. They also participate in the school’s offerings of jazz and string ensembles. In 2013, the Conservatory added the CAP Miami Jazz Institute, introducing more Miami-Dade County children to the “Great American Art Form” and contemporary music studies.
Funding from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs has made it possible for the Community Arts Program to invite world-class classical and jazz artists at affordable ticket prices. Since 2003, DCA’s support has enabled CAP to further contract these artists to present master classes to hundreds of Florida children and youth. These master classes are free and accessible to the public, giving children and youth invaluable first-hand learning experiences with renowned performers. A total of 6,500 children and youth have benefited from the Master Class program since its inception in 2002.
