Live Performing Arts Production & Performance Grant - Assessment Criteria

The Live Performing Arts Production & Performance Grant assists eligible Saskatchewan individuals and companies in the production of a series of performances intended for paying audiences.

The Assessment Criteria was approved on April 1, 2024 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:

• July 4, 2025: Under BONUS – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility – the additional two points for a key team member identifying as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis); Person from a racialized group; a Newcomer to Canada; Someone who lives in a northern (North of Prince Albert), rural, or small urban community (outside of Regina and Saskatoon); Person with a disability or disabled; and/or LGBTQIA2S+ were mistakenly left in from a previous year and removed.

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Phase One: Application Completeness

Applications must meet all Phase One criteria to be deemed complete and move on to the assessment panel for review. These criteria are assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan staff.

The Budget (yes/no)

A complete budget (using the Creative Saskatchewan budget template) has been uploaded to the application. Budget templates are updated annually, and applicants are encouraged to double check that they are using the most up to date template.

Project Financing (yes/no)

The project financial structure in the project budget template is complete. The applicant has listed pending or confirmed funding sources for the remaining 50%+ of the project budget that Creative Saskatchewan does not support.

Expense Eligibility (yes/no)

The majority of project expenses are eligible according to program guidelines. If ineligible expenses exceed 50% of the total project budget, the whole application will be deemed ineligible.

The Travel Itinerary (yes, no, or not applicable)

If travel is part of the project budget, a complete travel itinerary (using the Creative Saskatchewan travel itinerary template) has been uploaded to the application.

Resumes, CVs or bios have been provided for all Saskatchewan travellers (yes, no, or not applicable)

Industry-Relevant Resumes, Bios and CVs (yes/no)

An industry-relevant resume, bio and/or CV has been uploaded for the applicant or applicant company. The resume, bio or CV should align with the work they are being hired to do on the project.

Budget Line Support Documentation (yes/no)

Budget line support documentation should be provided for all line items $500 and over. If support documentation has not been provided for more than 50% of line items $500 or more, the application will be deemed ineligible.

Examples of budget line support documentation include:

• Estimates or invoices from vendors and service providers
• A calculated breakdown of applicant or staff labour (#of hours x $rate = total)
• An email, text message, price list, or website screenshot from the vendor or service provider confirming their rate. The applicant has included budget backup for more than 50% of line items over $500.

Phase Two: Application Material Assessment

The Plan and Marketing Strategy /30

Provide a detailed workplan describing how you and your team are going to execute the project. Make sure to include:

1. Descriptions of key tasks, including your marketing strategy. Make sure to include a description of the demographic and location of your demonstrated market reach and target market.
2. Which team member is responsible for which tasks.
3. Resources required to complete the project.
4. If including travel, please include travel logistics and complete travel itinerary. Performance contracts are not required at time of application submission, but are required prior to release of funding if application submission is approved.

This needs to be more specific than a general marketing plan. Include details of how this project will allow you to grow your market and how you plan to reach them. The workplan should realistically inform the timeline and the budget.

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers based upon the rubric below: 

Fit and Skillset of Project Team /10

Describe the experience and skillsets of yourself, your company, and your team members. Please include:

1. Examples of relevant past projects of a similar nature completed by you, your company, or your team
2. Brief explanation of why you’ve selected each team member for their role in this project
3. Evidence of related professional training and industry experience for you, your company, or your team.

Industry-relevant resumes or bios for team members must be included in the Upload files tab.

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers based on the rubric below: 

Return on Investment /10

What is your realistic return on investment? This may include:

1. Expected revenue. Include the calculation you used to come up with your expected revenue and where you have pulled these projections and historical numbers from. What revenue do you expect and why do you expect this revenue?
2. Jobs or contract positions created for Saskatchewan residents
3. Expanded audience/customer-base

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers based on the rubric below: 

Total – /50

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BONUS – Budget and Financing /5

Projects with third-party investment* will automatically receive the following points. Funding agreements need to be uploaded in the Upload Files tab to receive these bonus points.

*Tip: Not sure what is considered a third party investment? See our General Program Guideline Glossary or reach out to a Creative Saskatchewan team member.

BONUS – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility /4

Four bonus points will be awarded if you or the majority of your company owners/band stakeholder members (music)/collective members identify as any of the following:

• Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis);
• Person from a racialized group;
• a Newcomer to Canada;
• Someone who lives in a northern (North of Prince Albert), rural, or small urban community (outside of Regina and Saskatoon);
• Person with a disability or disabled; and/or
• LGBTQIA2S+

For companies, collectives, and music bands, a minimum 50% of the stakeholders must meet this criteria to receive the bonus points.