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Sound recording Grant - Assessment Criteria

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

The Assessment Criteria was approved on April 1, 2026 for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:

  • No changes to date.

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 primarily 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)

A completed project financing structure listing pending or confirmed funding sources for the remaining 50%+ of the project budget that Creative Saskatchewan does not support has been included in the application.

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.

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.

Creative Submission (yes/no)

  • A demo submission for the project being applied for has been uploaded to the application.

Phase Two: Application Material Assessment

Creative Submission /10

Please note: This specific criteria is assessed externally.

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 will be accepted. Applications without a demo submission for the project being applied for will be deemed ineligible. If you wish to include recordings from previous projects, you are welcome to include them in the ‘Additional Information’ upload field.

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: 

0 Points1-3 Points4-6 Points7-8 Points9-10 Points
The creative submission does not demonstrate sufficient quality in the evaluated categories, and the song(s) are not ready for this stage of the project. The creative submission shows some potential; however, the quality of the evaluated categories is underdeveloped, and it is unclear if the song(s) are ready for this stage of the project. The creative submission demonstrates potential, with several evaluated categories reflecting sufficient quality. While the quality may not be entirely consistent across categories, the song(s) are generally ready for this stage of the project.The creative submission demonstrates clear potential, with many of the evaluated categories reflecting high quality. The song(s) are ready for this stage of the project. The creative submission demonstrates strong potential, with all the evaluated categories reflecting exceptional quality. The song(s) are ready for this stage of the project.

The Production 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 for production, post-production, and marketing.
  3. Resources (producer fees, hired musicians, studio rental fees, equipment rental fees, professional manufacturing services, etc.) required to complete the project.

The marketing plan needs to be release-specific and 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: 

0 Points1-5 Points6-10 Points11-15 Points16-20 Points
The project’s production plan and marketing strategy do not identify a target market or relate the product being produced to a target market. The strategy for reaching a target market and an outline of the resources and key tasks required to complete the project were not provided. The project’s production plan and marketing strategy identify a target market, however, the relevance of the product being produced to that market is limited. The strategy for reaching the target market is underdeveloped, and the key tasks and resources outlined in the production plan are unclear and lack feasibility. The project’s production plan and marketing strategy identify a target market and some relevance of the product being produced to that market. The strategy for reaching the target market is somewhat developed, and the key tasks and resources outlined in the production plan are somewhat clear and feasible.The project’s production plan and marketing strategy identify a target market and the relevance of the product being produced to that market. The strategy for reaching the target market is developed, and the key tasks and resources outlined in the production plan are clear and support the feasibility of the project’s execution. The project’s production plan and marketing strategy clearly identify a target market and strong relevance of the product being produced to that market. The strategy for reaching the target market is comprehensive, and the key tasks and resources outlined in the production plan are well‑defined and provide strong support for the feasibility of the project’s execution.

Alignment and Skillset of Project 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.

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

0 Points1-3 Points4-6 Points7-8 Points9-10 Points
The application does not provide evidence of the team’s qualifications, and the team’s alignment with the project’s needs is not demonstrated. The application provides limited evidence of the team’s qualifications, and the alignment between the team and the project’s needs is unclear.The application provides adequate evidence of the team’s qualifications, showing sufficient alignment between the team and the project’s needs. The application provides strong evidence of the team’s qualifications, showing clear alignment between the team and the project’s needs. The application provides excellent and comprehensive evidence of the team’s qualifications, showing exceptional alignment between the team and the project’s needs.

Return on Investment /10

What is your realistic return on investment? This may include some or all of the following:

  1. Expected revenue;
  2. Expected increase in web traffic or listening membership on streaming platforms;
  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: 

0 Points1-2 Points3-4 Points5-7 Points8-10 Points
The return(s) on investment outlined in the application are unclear, and evidence to support the projected return(s) has not been provided. Job creation(s) for Saskatchewan residents is not demonstrated. The return(s) on investment outlined in the application are limited, with unclear evidence to support the projected returns. The projected job creation(s) for Saskatchewan residents is limited. The return(s) on investment outlined in the application are somewhat realistic, with adequate evidence to support the projected returns. The projected job creation(s) for Saskatchewan residents is moderate. The return(s) on investment outlined in the application are realistic, with clear evidence to support the projected returns. The projected job creation(s) for Saskatchewan residents is notable. The return(s) on investment outlined in the application are highly realistic, with strong evidence to support the projected returns. The projected job creation(s) for Saskatchewan residents is significant.

Total /50

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.

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