Fort McMurray’s SmART Kids Brings Laughter, Creativity & Heart to TELUS STORYHIVE Voices
A splash of colour, a burst of laughter and a whole lot of imagination — that’s what Fort McMurray-based creator Renee Manners delivers with her new series, SmART Kids, which premiered September 23, 2025, through the latest season of TELUS STORYHIVE Voices.
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Kids isn’t your average art show. It’s a live studio audience experience where young participants get to be a part of the magic. Inspired by nostalgic childhood favourites like Art Attack and Mr. Dress Up, with the humour and chaos of Captain Underpants, the show turns creativity into a full-on adventure.
Each episode invites kids to dive into art, comedy and performance, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at how digital content is made. From painting props to shouting cues and playing along in silly challenges, SmART Kids transforms the energy of a YouTube set into a joyful, hands-on learning space.
“It is important we give the next generation tools that serve them... this show is intended to be just that! In a fun, silly, goofy way.... in my opinion, self-love is imperative for a healthy adult life. We can and should plant those seeds now! Kids really are so awesome!” shares Manners
Beyond the laughter and glitter, SmART Kids has a bigger mission: helping children build emotional awareness, self-confidence, and collaboration skills through creative play. By blending art-making with performance and teamwork, the show helps kids see that mistakes are part of learning — and that imagination is a superpower. “I will forever be grateful for the TELUS STORYHIVE grant. It was the bridge between a 10-year Idea and reality. It gave me the courage, financial boost, and deadlines needed to just try, and what we created was better than I imagined, and it’s just the beginning! I think we have a really cool movement on our hands!”
SmART Kids is part of TELUS STORYHIVE Voices, a program dedicated to supporting new and emerging digital storytellers across Alberta and British Columbia to produce a locally reflective video series. Since 2013, STORYHIVE has invested over $66.9-million in production funding, mentorship and training, helping to empower creators to share the stories that matter most to their communities.
Through the recent STORYHIVE Voices premiere, 58 new Canadian and Indigenous creators — including Manners — received $10,000 in funding, online training and a community of support. The program is designed for storytellers of all experience levels, offering resources to help them grow their skills and find their audiences.
“There’s something magical about local kids’ content — it’s fun, relatable and deeply rooted in our communities. We’re excited to see more creators use the Voices program to bring those kinds of stories to life.” - Erin Shaw, STORYHIVE Program Manager
For Fort McMurray’s arts community, SmART Kids is more than a TV show — it’s proof that big creativity thrives right here at home. Manners, who has been involved in the local creative scene for years, says the support she’s received from fellow artists, families and educators has been “unreal.”
SmART Kids is now available to watch on TELUS Optik TV On Demand (channel 9) and Stream+ and STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel.
For families looking for something that’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt and hands-on, SmART Kids is a must-watch. It’s more than entertainment — it’s a celebration of imagination, collaboration and the creative spirit of Fort McMurray.
Watch SmART Kids:
TELUS Optik TV | Channel 9
Stream+ and STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel
Follow: @STORYHIVE on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn for more stories from emerging creators across Alberta and BC.
Interested in producing your own video series with $10,000?
How about creating your own educational content for kids? Applications will open for the next STORYHIVE Voices on January 13 until February 26, 2026. Learn more at STORYHIVE.com.
