Sound recording Grant - Assessment Criteria

The Sound Recording Grant supports the production of commercially viable sound recordings for commercial release.

The Assessment Criteria was approved on April 1, 2025 for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:

• No changes to date.

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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.

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

Creative Submission /10

For single and EP projects, include one demo from the project you are applying to record.

For LP projects, include one to two demos from the project you are applying to record.

Demos must be uploaded to the Upload Files tab to receive points. Only MP3 files can be accepted. Applications without a demo submission for the project being applied for will not be accepted.

Note: Demo submissions do not need to professionally produced. Creative Saskatchewan understands that applicants may have different resources at their disposal and may be at different stages of their careers. Assessors will be scoring creative and will not be scoring recording quality of these demos.

Provide the following information for the demo(s):

• Title
• Composer(s) name(s) (if applicable)
• Additional technical information about the recording

Assessors will be evaluating your creative submission based on the following categories:

• Songwriting/lyrics (not applicable for instrumental projects)
• Dynamics and emotional impact of song
• Melody
• Arrangement
• Performance/vocals

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

The Plan and Marketing Strategy /20

Provide a detailed workplan that includes the following:

1. Key tasks such as recording, mixing, mastering, manufacturing, artwork design, and 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 each task.
3. Resources required to complete the project.

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 on the rubric below: 

The Team /10

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

1. Examples of past projects completed by you, your company, or your team.
2. A 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;
2. Expected increase in web traffic;
3. Expected increase in traction on social media, reviews, events, blog posts, etc.; and
4. Increasing outreach to a target market and/or increase in newsletter audience.

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

Total – /50

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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 these criteria to receive the bonus points.  By completing this table, you are declaring confidentially that you identify accurately as part of the communities and identities specified. This information is not shared with external assessors.