As the founding co-director and owner of Birch Hills Dance Centre, Erica Cochrane has seen firsthand how Creative Kids makes it possible for children across the province to participate in the arts.

“With the rising cost of living, programs like Creative Kids are so important in helping keep children active, engaged, and connected to the arts,” she says. “It allows kids to continue with classes they’ve been involved in when family circumstances change.”

Fifteen years ago, Erica was approached to serve as part of the Lakeland Committee, which reviews Creative Kids applications for the District. She jumped at the chance to get involved, “because it aligned with so much that is important to me. I could clearly see the need in the northern region for this kind of support, and I wanted to be part of something that helps remove barriers for families.”

Birch Hills Dance Centre is one of more than 710 service providers across the province that have been funded since the launch of Creative Kids. The Centre teaches almost 100 students aged three to 18, everything from jazz, tap and ballet to musical theatre, hip hop, contemporary, and even voice.

Every year, Erica and several Lakeland District volunteers review applications from families from Spiritwood to Hudson Bay.* Over the years as a volunteer and as a service provider, she has seen how much the need continues to grow.

“For a long time, some families didn’t think they would qualify, but once they saw that they might, it really opened the door,” Erica says. “As a service provider, it’s important to be able to confidently recommend the program to families and genuinely feel that it can help them.” She adds, “I’ve seen kids who carry a lot of responsibility at home, helping care for younger siblings while parents are working.

“Having the chance to step away and participate in something just for them, without adding financial pressure on their families, is where I’ve seen some of the biggest changes.”

* Erica recuses herself from adjudications involving her own dance studio