Our Process

Categories 

1. Women in Music 

2. Indigenous

3. Low income 

4. General (applicant does not align with categories, must still clarify story and need)

Applicants select one primary category they most identify with.

These categories are subject to annual shuffling. These are the four for the calendar year of 2026.

Application Process

Transparent Criteria (in no particular order)

1. Clarity of project (is it executable) (20%)

2. Artistic strength (20%)

3. Impact of the grant (20%)

4. Originality (20%)

5. Need based on category (20%)

Points System (0-10)

Based on each transparent criterion, a score of 0–10 will be applied by each judge. The category winner is the applicant with the highest total score across all judges. Each judge must cast consideration on each submission.

Judging Process 

Judging will be split across 

1. SAD Entertainment Team (cumulative consideration) 

2. 2-5 volunteer/unaffiliated folks

Two Rounds (bias removal) 

1. Blind review, artist name, and info are removed by the SAD Entertainment team, and residual data is sent for volunteer scoring. (based on non-identifying criteria, eg, clarity of project, artistic strength, originality) 

2. Impact review, based on needs, based on category, and impact on the particular artist. Name & identification are revealed. 

Eligibility Rules

1. Honesty + self-identification 

2. Simple thresholds where required 

We may request proof of:

• Income

• Residency

• Identity

• Failure to provide within  14  days will lead to disqualification

3. Must be a Calgary resident

4. Must be 18+. Applicants aged 16 or 17 may apply with a completed Minor Consent Form signed by a parent or legal guardian, who must be reachable by phone during all program sessions.

5. Those who amass earnings of $50k or more annually from their artist brand/music creation are ineligible. 

6. One application per cycle. 

What we ask for:

• Artist name/project name

• 1–3 song links

• Short project description (max 300 words)

• What would you create with this grant?

• What barriers are currently preventing you from completing this project?

• Category selection

• Optional: demographic info (to strengthen your identification, and thus, aid our fair decision-making)

We intend to keep the submission under 10 minutes to complete. We use Google Forms for submissions for simplicity. 

Timeline 

Week 1–3: Applications open
Week 4: Applications close
Week 4: Judging
Week 6: Winners announced

Total: ~1 .5 month cycle

Actual Winnings

This is a non-cash grant delivered through production services. Winnings cannot be converted to their dollar amount for a refund. 

Album Recording (three-day restriction) 

A 12-track max record. 3 full days.  Include C800G. 

Album Mixing/Mastering

Mixing and mastering of the record. Full post-production package.

Music Video shooting plus post-production

Music video shoot. Restricted to one day, must be mostly conceptualized and planned by a creative (with some team guidance) 

Edits for IG/Some Session Documentation/Brand development discussion 

Can either be vertical music video chops or content chopped from the studio sessions onto their socials. 

Volunteer Information (judges)

Requirements for Volunteers (2-5)

1. Must have some musical background (work in the industry, etc.)

2. Preferably, various subsections of background (hip hop, country, electronic/DJ, pop, rock, etc.) 

3. Must be willing to devote a few days (~3 max) unpaid. 

4. Must not be immediate friends/family with a grant applicant (if found out, judge vote consideration removed from pool – relying on transparency. Hurts the community if undisclosed.) 

5. Must attend at least one group meeting in the studio for the final discussion. (either before voting begins, to meet and align – prior to applications

6. Score aggregation and compilation will be handled internally by SAD Entertainment.

7. Google Forms submission

8. Cannot be associated with our organization.