Investing in the future of culture: Creative Kids celebrates 15 years of impact

In 2025, the Creative Kids charity reached a milestone: 15 years of supporting Saskatchewan kids, families and service providers by lowering barriers to creative activities.

Since its launch in 2010, Creative Kids has funded over 18,000 Saskatchewan kids to access creative activities including art, theatre, music, dance and cultural lessons. From the start, SaskCulture has worked to support the ongoing development of the Creative Kids charity and grant program.

It all started when community members approached Rose Gilks, who was SaskCulture CEO at the time, with the idea for the program. This led to a feasibility study, consultations, and the eventual launch of Creative Kids. Gilks says that, from the start, SaskCulture recognized that investment in youth’s access to arts, culture and heritage was a priority for the future of the sector.

“Whether it’s something that [kids] take up professionally, or if it becomes a hobby, it’s something that helps them with their life forever,” Gilks says. “This is about providing an opportunity for someone to grow in a much broader way than they would if they didn’t have this.”

Dr. David Millar, a Regina-based chiropractor and long-time supporter of the arts, was the first to bring up the idea to SaskCulture after noticing the need for support in the community. He modelled his idea for the program after the charity KidSport, which offers similar support for sports activities.

“I believe that participating in arts and cultural activities can be transformational for people; and so, it’s something that I want to see as many people be able to experience as possible,” Millar says. “Creative Kids fills that gap and creates an entryway for kids and youth to enter the cultural sector.”

Thanks to the support of community volunteers, donors, and sponsors, Creative Kids’ impact now reaches far and wide. Creative Kids has supported families in more than 294 communities across Saskatchewan since 2010.

Arts, heritage and cultural activities help children and youth across the province build a lifelong appreciation for the arts, as well as many skills. Regina-based artist Karlie King, whose children receive support from Creative Kids, says, “Creative Kids is an ‘essential.’

Instructors benefit too. When families are approved for Creative Kids support, Creative Kids pays service providers directly for their class fees. This allows arts educators across the province to reach more students without shouldering the cost. Creative Kids has supported over 710 local instructors in music, dance, theatre, and other arts and culture programs over the years, with over $8.76 millions in funding.

After 15 years of operations, Creative Kids has become an established resource that families across the province turn to every year. Past recipients from the early years of the program have gone on to become cultural educators and leaders themselves. By lowering barriers to participation, the grant program helps build a future where the cultural sector is more diverse and vibrant than ever.

Thanks to support from the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation, SaskCulture is able to cover all administrative costs for Creative Kids, so that 100% of donations to the charity go back to the community, and support local service providers and families for years to come