Dawn Martin: Giving So Kids Can Experience the Benefits of Creativity

Dawn Martin has been a Creative Kids champion since the beginning. Dawn and her family have been big supporters of the arts over the years. She knows the important role creativity can play in a child’s or youth’s development. She continues to pay it forward by contributing to our monthly donor campaign – an easy way for you to give the gift of creativity to a deserving Saskatchewan kid.

How long have you been a champion of Creative Kids?

I was involved before Creative Kids was officially established in 2010. There was a group, led by David Millar, that wanted to set up what eventually became Creative Kids. They asked me to facilitate some community sessions to determine what it should look like. I was simply a hired facilitator, but hearing the vision and the energy around the idea, I was wholly bought in by the time that process was complete.

How easy was it for you to get involved?

So easy! I think it was just one phone call. I’ve set it up so money automatically transfers from my bank account right to Creative Kids each month.

In your view, why is it important for children and youth to get involved in creative activities?

I think that the experience of the discipline, creativity, and expression that creative activities provide are all important for kids as they figure out who they are, who they want to be and how they want to “be” in the world. That exploration was really important for my kids and I don’t want any kid to experience barriers to that process.

Why is Creative Kids a charity of choice for you?

My first career was in theatre and while I’m no longer in that field I still care a lot about the arts. Plus, all of my kids (who are now adults) were exposed to, or involved in, the arts as kids and they all turned out pretty well. In fact, two of them have made their own careers in the arts. Creative Kids seemed like a good way for me to invest in something that I think is really important.

Why should others get involved in supporting Creative Kids?

I just think it’s a great program in terms of its purpose -- exposing kids to creative activities. But more than that, every penny a donor gives goes directly to that purpose. SaskCulture supports the infrastructure to run the charity so the donations are 100 per cent targeted to kids’ experiences. That is so rare these days and it’s important for me to support that.