All Kids want to express themselves. Creative Kids gives them the chance. Our program removes or reduces financial barriers to arts and cultural activities for Saskatchewan kids ages 4 to 19 to help enable them participate in art, drama, music, dance and other cultural activities.

We provided our first grant to a little girl who wanted to learn to dance in the fall of 2010. To date, we have granted over $4.5 million and helped more than 9,800 kids in more than 230 communities across Saskatchewan explore their creative dreams through inclusion in arts and culture activities.

We believe:

• creative activities are fundamental to the positive growth and development of children and youth;
• cultural programming is critical to a healthy vibrant community; and
• all children and youth should have the opportunity to participate in creative activities regardless of economic barriers they may face.

The Need:

Saskatchewan has one of the highest provincial child poverty rates in Canada. As of 2017 — the most recent numbers available — more than 72,000 children have limited access to essential daily needs and opportunities for positive growth and self-esteem. Many of these families also have challenges, such as job loss or disabilities that make involvement in creative activities out of reach.

Besides basic needs to be warm, fed and clothed, we believe it’s important to feed the spirit. For a child or youth facing financial or social barriers to feel accepted and included, the longed-for chance to make music, paint, act, or dance can be life changing.

That’s where we come in.