Former Creative Kids recipients now champions for cause

When Cole Knutson was a child, he received Creative Kids support to pursue saxophone and piano lessons. Today, he is one of several former funding recipients who have stepped forward, eager to tell how they benefited from cultural activity and support from Creative Kids.

Since its formation in 2010, Creative Kids has helped support thousands of children and youth, who faced financial and social barriers, access meaningful ongoing arts and cultural activities. By providing grants of up to $750 per kid, it makes a difference. The program appreciates hearing from former recipients who, after receiving this support at an early age, see it as contributing to their success.

Now a successful professional musician, Knutson reached out to ask if he could give back by sharing his story. “The Creative Kids funding literally changed the course of my life. I developed skills that helped me deal with adversity. I gained a sense of belonging and I found my purpose,” he says. “I have had the distinct pleasure of living a rich life as a musician. My life has been so greatly enriched by such beautiful people, travels, experiences, and music.”

Over the past decade, Knutson was awarded a number of scholarships that have allowed him to study abroad at prestigious music schools and perform at venues around the world, such as Carnegie Hall. He says, none of it might have been possible if it weren’t for the support from Creative Kids, which enabled him to explore his many artistic curiosities and grow as a musician.

Brianna Dash, another Creative Kids recipient, was also eager to share her story. Dash became the first in Canada to complete the Advanced Solo Award Ballet exam, the highest ballet level within the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association (CDTA). She attributes the support from Creative Kids, along with the skills she developed from her dance experience, as key to her success. She adds that learning to set goals and maintaining the discipline to achieve them are benefits of her dance instruction.

“Thanks to the Creative kids support, I was able to take so many different classes,” says Dash. “My passion for dance grew, as did my skills as a dancer and I was able to achieve this goal.” Dash credits her long-time dance teacher Melissa Wallace, owner of The Dance Studio of Swift Current, for her dance training and for helping her access Creative Kids.

Youth participation in cultural activities leads to many long-term benefits. According to Gloria Walsh, manager, Creative Kids, “Cole and Brianna’s stories echo what the research on the benefits of arts and cultural activities has shown for years. When kids are able to participate in dance, theatre, music, art and cultural activities, it leads to successful milestones in adulthood.” In 2023, Creative Kids was able to support 1,313 more kids. “Unfortunately,” says Walsh,” due to limited funds, we were unable to fund an additional 508 deserving kids.”

Walsh adds, “Thanks to Cole and Brianna sharing their stories, donors and sponsors may be inspired to give when they see why program costs should never be a barrier to getting kids involved with a cultural or creative activity of their choice.”