Many creative arts institutions and teachers have started teaching this month at the beginning of the new school year.

Paying for extracurricular activities, such as taking part in sports and the creative arts, can be difficult especially for those with lower incomes.

Creative Kids launched in 2010 and helps children across Saskatchewan to get involved in art lessons, dance classes, classes for discovering heritage, music and drama.

"Creative Kids is a Saskatchewan charity," said Shawn Bauche, Program Coordinator with Creative Kids-Saskatchewan.

"Kidsport had been out for quite a while and they're great at helping kids have opportunities to play sports. Dave Miller, who kind of instigated the idea wanted to see something developed that would provide something similar but for kids who were interested in the more artistic and creative side of things," he added.

"Families can apply to creative kids a few times a year and we'll provide to $750 to cover those expenses so that more kids have a chance to learn about themselves, develop some esteem, discover a passion, get comfortable with self-expression and those types of things," explained Bauche.

Creative Kids works with around 400 instructors, in  206 communities throughout the Province.

Weyburn and surrounding area currently have ten affiliated organisations and instructors affiliated with Creative Kids, including dance studios, musical Instrument teachers and art programs. The full list of Weyburn and area Creative Kids affiliates can be found here.

"What I like about it (Creative Kids), is that they are helping kids to be able to discover things about themselves, by providing a payment for teachers, to teach them. I've seen so many kids change through drum lessons and just become very productive people in their lives," said Bob Rasmuson, Weyburn Drum teacher, who has been drumming for 45 years and drum teaching in Weyburn for the past nine years.

"This group stepping up really means a big deal and I'm really excited to be partnering with them," added Rasmuson who went on to talk about the positive effect drumming has had on his life.

"Drumming has given me discipline in my life. It has been an outlet for me when I've been struggling with things."

Funding for Creative Kids comes from Sask Cultures, who pay for Salaries and for Administrative costs. Funding for grants to pay for students lessons is provided through fundraisers, by donations and sponsorships.

Creative Kids currently have a raffle for a concert and trip to Mexico. More information about the raffle can be found here.

The Creative Kids organisation is also partially funded by Sask Lotteries. They are able to fund around 1500 children across the province each year.

The deadline has already passed for funding applications, for creative activities for September. December 8th is the deadline for families to apply to Creative Kids for activities starting in January.