Sound Recording Grant Guidelines

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

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

No changes to date.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria defined in the Creative Saskatchewan General Program Guidelines.

Eligible Projects

There are two streams available to eligible applicants:

Single or Extended Play (EP) Sound Recording

Purpose: This stream assists with the production of a collection of songs that are intended for release as an extended play (EP) recording package and/or as individually released singles.

Requirements:

Successful applicants must produce a minimum of one to six professionally recorded songs
The total recording length should be under 40 minutes running time. A longer total running time due to genre standards needs to be addressed within the application.
The songs are intended for commercial release.

Full Length (LP) Sound Recording

Purpose: This stream assist with the production of a full-length sound recording.
Requirements:

The project must result in at least six songs of recorded material.
The recording must be more than 30 minutes of total running time.
The recording is intended for commercial release.

Eligible Expenses

Production expenses directly related to the project and incurred during the project term.
Expenses related to the recording and mixing process, including studio rental and producer fees in Saskatchewan at Saskatchewan facilities by Saskatchewan residents.
Musician fees for both stakeholders and hired musicians, based on average rates.
- Higher fees may be used but must be justified in the application.
- CFM union members may use union rates.
Professional studio rates in line with industry standard rates.
Expenses related to the mastering of the recording (both in Saskatchewan and out-of-province).
Manufacturing expenses for both promotional and sales purposes can be incurred both in Saskatchewan and out-of-province (applicants must provide justification of units to be manufactured and the format in their application).
Album artwork.
Travel costs, per diems, accommodations, and professional fees of a non-Saskatchewan producer, as long as the recording occurs at a Saskatchewan facility and all other staff hired for the recording process are Saskatchewan residents.
Marketing expenses directly related to the project being applied for, no more than 10% of the total project budget.

Ineligible Projects and Expenses

Rehearsal expenses for in-house, stakeholder, or regularly hired musicians.
Out-of-province expenses for recording or mixing.
Projects that do not have commercial intent as their primary purpose and focus.
Podcasts.
Home studio costs, when the studio is owned by the applicant/artist, which exceed 20% of the total budget and/or $50 per hour (whichever is the lesser).
Please see the Creative Saskatchewan General Program Guidelines for a list of ineligible expenses.

Financial Participation

Funding will be in the form of a grant.
Single or Extended Play (EP) Sound Recording: Successful applicants are eligible for a maximum of 50% of eligible expenses up to $10,000 (whichever is the lesser).
Full Length (LP) Sound Recording: Successful applicants are eligible for a maximum of 50% of eligible expenses up to $15,000 (whichever is the lesser).
Please note, applicants may be eligible to apply for additional support through Creative Saskatchewan’s multi-sector grants:
- Marketing support is available through the Marketing Grant;
- Tour Support to take your show on the road is provided through our Tour Support Grant;
- Travel expenses to specific market opportunities can be funded through our Showcase or Sell Travel Grant;
- Support for professional development can be obtained through our Business Improvement Grant; and
- Research funding is able via our Research Grant.

Assessment

A review of applications is conducted by Creative Saskatchewan program staff to ensure the project and applicant meet the eligibility to the program.
Eligible applications with secured funding from FACTOR/Musication will be considered to have been vetted and will be “fast tracked”.
Fast tracked applications may be submitted at any time, however, they must meet Creative Saskatchewan’s criteria for this grant.
Fast tracked applications will be funded in the order in which they are received, and as the availability of funds allows.
Applications that do not qualify for fast tracked approval will be assessed by an assessment process against the criteria defined here.

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Please refer to the specific program page for application deadlines and instructions.
Applications to the Sound Recording Grant will be accepted quarterly and supported based on the availability of funds.
Applications must be complete in order to be accepted.
Creative Saskatchewan provides templates for each grant application.
- Applications that have not uploaded the mandatory budget template and travel itinerary template (travel itinerary template only required for projects that include travel expenses) will be considered incomplete and the application status will be set to Information Required.
  - Note: This status requires the application to be re-submitted by the applicant by the program deadline. Please keep in mind that applications must be re-submitted prior to the project start date.
By submitting an application for this grant, applicants confirm they have read the Creative Saskatchewan General Program Guidelines.
If awarded a grant, they will be obligated by all criteria in the Creative Saskatchewan General Program Guidelines, as well as criteria specific to this grant as described herein.

Required Acknowledgements

Successful recipients of a Sound Recording Grant must include Creative Saskatchewan’s logo and credit on the manufactured product, and all promotional materials.
The Creative Saskatchewan logo and guidelines for acknowledgement can be found here.

Confidentiality of Information

Please refer to the Creative Saskatchewan General Program Guidelines for details of Creative Saskatchewan’s Confidentiality Policy.
If you are not awarded a grant, all information in and about your application is held in confidence.
If you are awarded a grant, your name, a description of the project and the amount of funding will be made publicly available.