The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts believes that the classical arts flourish when they reflect all voices—and when the Black diaspora is seen, heard, and celebrated. Our vision: “Bringing COLOR to the CLASSICS™.” We are dedicated to making the classical performing arts accessible to the Black community through education, performance, and community engagement.
From neighborhood libraries and senior centers to celebrated concert halls, CAAPA creates spaces where multigenerational audiences and Black composers, musicians, and scholars come together in excellence and inspiration. More than performance, we are about transformation—building pathways for artists, learners, and audiences to explore, create, and thrive in the classical arts.
Founded in 2002 and growing into a vibrant nonprofit rooted in the DMV and beyond, CAAPA stands on four key values: Creativity • Community • Education • Collaboration. We invite you to join us—to experience the music, to deepen your connection to culture, and to help us foster a world where Black classical performing arts not only survive, but truly thrive