Investing in youth to build lasting impact: Creating lifelong opportunities for youth

Supporting children and youth’s access to life-changing cultural activities is an important investment in any community. Creative Kids has made a lasting impact by helping thousands of young people across Saskatchewan communities, who face financial and social barriers, to participate in meaningful arts and cultural experiences.

Since 2010, the program has funded over 16,000 applications, creating opportunities for youth to grow, connect and thrive.

Keegan and Taegen Isaac, two brothers from the North Battlefords area, are an example of this impact. Taking violin lessons as children, thanks to Creative Kids funding, put them on a path to becoming active members of their community. After sharing their love for music by performing at care homes for years while growing up, today, Taegen is studying to become a doctor, and Keegan is studying to teach music.

“Studying music made me feel unique as a kid. It gave me a sense of confidence. It led to some of my greatest friendships and to many learning opportunities,” Keegan says. “It taught me that music education is so important, and that’s why I am studying education now.”

As the cost of living continues to rise, more families are turning to Creative Kids for support, resulting in a record number of applications. Now more than ever, children and youth need support accessing the benefits of arts, cultural and creative activities, and that’s where Creative Kids comes in.

Shawn Bauche, program consultant, Creative Kids, says that program costs should never be a barrier to kids experiencing the benefits of cultural or creative activities.

“Removing financial barriers to participation in creative activities puts children and youth on a path of success into adulthood,” Bauche says. “We are seeing this impact in real time — now that Creative Kids has been in operation for almost 15 years, more and more past funding recipients, now adults, are coming forward to share how much this support has made an impact in the trajectory of their lives.”

Keegan is one of many young people whose lives have been shaped by support from Creative Kids. Reflecting on his experience, he says he’s “thankful for everyone” who has made the program possible. His words echo the many heartfelt testimonials Creative Kids has received since 2010.

“I am thankful for their support. Their contributions are an investment in the future of children in Saskatchewan, and that is something that never goes to waste,” Keegan says. “Creative Kids makes access to art more equitable across the province, and that is so vitally important.”