College Arts Access Program

Our career preparedness and college bridge programs open doors. Donor support is integral to two of our most impactful initiatives, career preparedness programming through our Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) office and our College Arts Access Program (CAAP).

Internships are essential for students as they seek to learn more about the professional world. Our Chicago Makers Internship Program, offered through CAPX, provided students with $72,500 of support from corporations, foundations, parents, and institutional leaders. This one-of-a-kind career preparedness initiative connects talented students, who are otherwise unable to accept unpaid internships, to professional opportunities.

$72k

Support for our internship program from corporations, foundations, parents, and institutional leaders

The College Arts Access Program (CAAP) is a three-year bridge program for Chicago Public Schools students who are dedicated to studying arts and design. In a recent longitudinal study completed by Michigan State University, CAAP students were found to be as competitive in college admission as more socioeconomically advantaged peers. Now in its eighth year, CAAP has an initial cohort of 15 high school sophomores and has influenced similar programs nationwide.

Philanthropy has been a key factor in the growth of CAAP and its success. Since its founding, CAAP has grown its cohort size by 50 percent. With a recent $750,000 gift from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, a key supporter whose visionary partnership with the School established the program in 2014, CAAP is poised for expansion in 2022–23.