May 28, 2026

SaskMusic's Latest

 

SaskMusic x Regina Songwriters present

Recording & Releasing Your Song with Walter Jeworski & Ben Valiaho

Sunday, May 31, 7:00-9:00 pm
In-person at The Club (The Exchange - 2431 8th Avenue, Regina) and Online
Register to attend In Person HERE
Register to attend via Zoom HERE

Free to attend, and songwriters of all skill levels and styles welcome!
Last Songwriters event before summer break! 

What do you do with a song after you’ve finished writing it? Join us to learn about next steps to get from written song to commercial release - from finding the right producer fit and navigating the recording process, to registering your works and planning a release strategy. 

  • 7:00-7:45pm Navigating the Recording Process with Walter Jeworski

  • 7:45-8:30pm Releasing Music with SaskMusic’s Ben Valiaho

  • 8:30-9:00pm Q&A with Walter & Ben

First, Walter Jeworski, Sound Engineer & Mixer at Blue Door Recording Studio, will talk about navigating the recording process, covering key areas such as preparing for the studio, choosing the right producer, practical tips to make the most of your studio time, mixing and mastering, and what you should walk away with at the end of a session.

Next, Ben Valiaho, Education & Program Manager at SaskMusic, will explore what comes after your song is recorded. He’ll discuss topics such as registering your music, planning your release strategy, distribution options, accessing grants and funding, and pitching your track.

A question-and-answer session will follow. Bring your notebooks and your questions as we dive into what follows the songwriting, and how to record and release your song to the world. Register here for the last Songwriters event before the summer break! 

Facebook group    Instagram

 
 

SaskMusic x Saskatoon Songwriters Group present

Writing Music to Lyrics and Lyrics to Music with Special Guest Gillian and Fabian

Sunday, May 31, 2:00 pm
In-person at Studio 12 (309 Fairmont Drive)
Free to attend, and songwriters of all skill levels and styles welcome!

Join us as we review two different approaches to matching lyrics and music together! This will be the last songwriters event before the summer break - we hope to see you there!

Click here for more information and to register

 
 

Western Canadian Music Awards Voting Opens Soon: Active or Renew Your SaskMusic Membership Now to Vote!

The Western Canadian Music Awards 2026 will be announcing nominees soon, and you can be a part of the voting process with a SaskMusic membership! 
Individual, Band, and Corporate members get voting rights for the awards. To learn more and join our paid membership, please click here

BreakOut West Conference Registration Open 

Breakout West features an immersive music industry and artist development conference, a festival with 50+ artists performing across multiple venues, and the Western Canadian Music Awards. The festival highlights Western Canadian talent alongside select International and Pan-Canadian artists.

Don't miss Western Canada's largest music conference, taking place this year in Victoria, BC from September 30-October 4.

Early Bird discounts are available, and SaskMusic Members receive a 10% discount on registration. Learn more here.

See you there! 

 

 
 

Send in Your Submissions Now to be Featured in Our 2026 Summer Jams Playlist (and others!)

Each year we curate a list of Saskatchewan releases that call up the summer vibes. Do you have a track that would hit the right note? Send us your submissions today to be considered! 

Please note: SaskMusic will curate the playlist selections. This and our other playlists are always in flux, with Sask. artists invited to submit their new singles, videos, and albums for Features consideration. The 2026 Summer Jams playlist will appear on Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify and YouTube. You can self-identify for inclusion on other playlists while you're submitting for Summer Jams!

 
 

Women in Music Sask

We are seeking input for programming and events for our Women in Music Saskatchewan (WIMS) community, specifically - apart or in additon to regular SaskMusic programming - and would like your thoughts. We are also currently seeking volunteers for a Women in Music Sask planning and activation committee!

We are a chapter under Women in Music Canada (WIMC) alongside other regional groups across the country, and will be coordinating programming with our regional counterparts as well. WIMS and WIMC is intended to support female-identifying and gender-diverse professionals and creatives at every stage of their career. 

Take the survey: https://saskmusic.wufoo.com/forms/women-in-music-sask-survey/

 
 

Women in Canada Mentorship Program

WIMC Mentorship Program is open for mentees now!

The mentorship program is about bridging meaningful connections between mentees and mentors so they can connect, learn and access opportunities within the Canadian music landscape.

Mentees are eligible to apply until the deadline on June 4.

LEARN MORE

 
 

Saskatoon StarPhoenix: Saskatoon Man Aims to Create Local Solution to Ticketmaster Costs

Liam Iverson has created the ticket platform OnStage to help bypass extra costs for events

High ticket fees for events has spurred one Saskatoon man to create a platform that cuts out the middleman and leaves more money on the table for local events and attendees.

Liam Iverson started OnStage, an events booking website that he hopes will be an alternative to monopolized ticketing platforms.

“The idea was to basically build something that was more of an open platform that I would have very little necessary input in to having to control, because I basically wanted to democratize it for as many people as possible,” Iverson explained.

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Lorena Kelly, executive director for SaskMusic, said local options are more likely to get support.

She said there are fewer Canadian options available for event websites, adding that the merch integration from OnStage was an interesting feature.

“Anything that’s reducing fees for the presenters and for ultimately the audience to attend is great,” Kelly said.

Event attendance is something that has been ebbing and flowing, Kelly said, saying things still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic numbers.

Click here to read the full article

 
 

Blue Door Recording Member Discount

SaskMusic members can take advantage of a special promotional rate from May 15 to Sept 30, 2026. Both new and returning Blue Door clients can benefit! All sessions at their Regina location, include studio time with an in house engineer.

Check out more details here.

Do you have a company/service and want to extend a benefit to SaskMusic members? Get in touch with us!

 
 

Creative Saskatchewan Grant Program Dates

Key Grants for Artists Include: 

  1. Showcase or Sell Travel GrantThis grant provides support to individuals and businesses to attend markets, industry showcases, and pitch events. In most cases, your project begins with an invitation to participate in a particular market. Continuous intake until funds are exhausted. 

  2. Marketing GrantThis grant provides support for marketing and publicity to improve visibility and generate sales. We offer two streams of funding depending of the scale of the project; Micro and Major. Micro Stream upcoming deadline to apply is July 15, 2026. Major stream - Music Deadline is June 17, 2026. 

  3. Business Improvement GrantThis grant supports projects that focus on professional development, increasing workforce capacity, and improving business efficiencies through technology infrastructure updates which result in growth, market expansion and improved profitability. Music Deadline is September 23, 2026. 

  4. Tour Support GrantThis grant supports commercially viable touring opportunities for eligible Saskatchewan musicians touring in Canada and abroad. Upcoming deadline is June 17, 2026. 

  5. Sound Recording GrantThis grant supports the production of commercially-viable sound recordings for promotional use and/or commercial release. Upcoming deadline is June 17, 2026. 

More information about the grants program and further funding opportunities here.

 
 

Saskatchewan Performers Heading to NXNE!

NXNE in Toronto, ON, June 10-14, 2026

Over 300 artists will perform across 30 venues from June 10-14, 2026 in this year's NXNE festival. NXNE works with Toronto's remarkable music venues to showcase top emerging Canadian talent and international acts throughout Festival Week. In addition to unforgettable music programming, NXNE features educational panels each year for industry, artists, and fans to enjoy and connect. 

Ghostform showcase page
Saturday, June 13, 8:00 pm (Handlebar)

Halle Ponton showcase page
Saturday, June 13, 9:00 pm (Burdock)

Merv xx Gotti showcase page
Thursday, June 11, 9:00 pm (Drake Underground)

Rooky Kamiz showcase page
Wednesday, June 10, 10:00 pm (Poetry Jazz Cafe)

Sask artists programmed for NXNE were selected by the event organizers through their own selection process. SaskMusic does not select artists who perform at NXNE and is not a sponsor of the event.


Beyond events that we do sponsor, SaskMusic offers pre-event coaching and export preparation sessions for any Sask artist selected for international and domestic showcases. If you have received a showcase invitation or have questions about which events might be good fits for you, please reach out to Export Manager Kaelen Klypak.

 

Workshops

 

Songs in The Garden: A Songwriting Workshop 2026

June 6, 2026

Immerse Yourself in Music and Creativity with Songs in The Garden: a Songwriting Workshop (SITG)!

Join us on June 6th, 2026, for a transformative songwriting workshop led by Saskatchewan music icons. Learn to craft your own musical masterpiece throu...

READ MORE

 

SaskMusic's Latest

 

SOCAN Foundation Launches Inaugural South Asian Music Prize Presented by SiriusXM Dhamaka 

New national award; Call for submissions now open

The South Asian Music Prize presented by SiriusXM Dhamaka celebrates emerging South Asian music creators in Canada who are shaping the country’s diverse musical landscape. The Prize recognizes artistic excellence, elevates underrepresented voices, and supports meaningful career development through national recognition and industry access.

Created to celebrate artistic excellence, elevate underrepresented voices, and support meaningful career development, the South Asian Music Prize arrives at a pivotal moment of growth and global visibility for South Asian music and culture. The initiative reflects SOCAN Foundation’s commitment to ensuring Canada’s music ecosystem continues to recognize and invest in the creators shaping its future.

One recipient, selected by a jury of respected industry professionals, will receive a $10,000 cash prize, a national PR campaign, travel support to attend the award presentation, and ongoing support from SOCAN Foundation.

Eligible applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, SOCAN members, and identify as South Asian. Submissions are open to music creators of all genres, including solo artists, songwriters, composers, and collectives (all members must meet eligibility requirements). Applicants must submit original works composed within the past two years to which they have meaningfully contributed and hold a share of ownership.

The submission deadline is June 1, 2026. Full guidelines and application details are available here

 
 

FACTOR Promoter Program

WIMC Mentorship

FACTOR PROMOTER PROGRAM

The Promoter Program is aimed at supporting Canadian-owned live music companies whose core business is presenting concerts by Canadian artists. The goal of the Promoter Program is to share the risk of investment with companies who have a track record of successfully presenting concerts by Canadian artists.

Applications are now open until June 11, 3pm SK.

Learn more here.

 
 

FACTOR: Artist Program Openings 

FACTOR has announced the Artist lane program updates for 2026-2027. You can create your Profiles on the FACTOR portal anytime to obtain your 'rating', which determines which programs you are eligible to apply to. Getting your profile completed ahead of time means you won't have delays when a deadline is approaching. Learn more here.

  • Artist Entrepreneur deadline is July 23, with new applications able to be created June 16.

  • Juried Sound Recording: Album deadline is September 10, with new applications able to be created July 23.

See more FACTOR deadlines here. 

 
 

Songwriting Opportunity - The 31st Annual USA Songwriting Competition

Since 1995, the USA Songwriting Competition®, "the world's leading international songwriting event," has been honoring songwriters, composers, bands, and recording artists. This is open to all, regardless of nationality or country origin.

Winners ar...

Deadline: May 29, 2026

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Scholarship Opportunity - The Jill Mack Memorial Scholarship for The Recording Arts

Are you interested in becoming an audio engineer?

Jill Mack was a beloved musician, recording artist, producer, and one of only three professional women audio engineers in Saskatchewan. Her dream was to create a space in Saskatchewan where women and...

Deadline: May 30, 2026

READ MORE

 
 

AUDITIONS for Honey Jam Artist Development Programme!

It's that time once again!  Honey Jam is looking for emerging female artists across Canada between the ages of 14-25, representing all music styles – including pop, hip-hop, jazz, rock, country, soca, soul, dance, R&B, Latin, and more! – to audition fo...

Deadline: May 30, 2026

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CALL FOR ARTISTS - WOMEX 2026

This year, the Northern Turtle Island Collective (NTI) and Mundial Montreal are once again launching a call for applications for artists wishing to take part in an unofficial showcase on October 20, ahead of WOMEX 2026 (Worldwide Music Expo), taking pl...

Deadline: May 31, 2026

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Grant Opportunity - The HELEN FERRIS Memorial Trust Fund

Administered by the Prince Albert Arts Board, this grant provides applicants between the ages of 5 and 30 with the opportunity to further develop their artistic practice in the visual arts, creative arts, media arts, music, drama, dance, and literature...

Deadline: May 31, 2026

READ MORE

 
 

Residency Opportunity: Reverie: The Indigenous Music Residency, empowered by CBC and SOCAN Foundation

CBC and SOCAN Foundation are thrilled to announce the return of Reverie: The Indigenous Music Residency. This month-long program in Toronto is designed to support emerging Indigenous artists through songwriting, mentorship, and professional development...

Deadline: May 31, 2026

READ MORE

 
 

Program Opportunity: Indigenous Song Camp

Participants selected for this program will have the opportunity to engage in an intensive, week-long songwriting camp in Toronto from July 27-31, 2026.

Deadline: June 1, 2026

READ MORE

 
 

Performance Opportunity: Canada's Music Incubator - Live Performance Opportunities

Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is offering artists and managers professional development opportunities and seeking bands and artists for outdoor summer performances across Canada. CMI welcomes submissions from artists of all genres and backgrounds. Art...

Deadline: June 2, 2026

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Showcase opportunity - English Folk Expo 2027

Interested in performing at England's leading showcase for folk, roots and acoustic music and being seen by bookers, agents and new audiences?

English Folk Expo is the annual showcase for folk, roots and acoustic music in England. Approximately 200 ...

Deadline: June 7, 2026

READ MORE

 
 

Showcase Opportunity: Folk Alliance International 2027 Official Showcase Application

Official Showcases at FAI present the best talent that folk music has to offer: from cutting-edge sounds to rich musical traditions. Official Showcase Artists are selected by a jury of international experts. From hundreds of applicants, 160 are chosen ...

Deadline: June 8, 2026

READ MORE

 
 

Mentorship and Networking Opportunity: CMI's Artist Entrepreneur Program

Canada's Music Incubator's highly regarded Artist Entrepreneur professional development program is accepting applications for the March/April session. AE will take place in downtown Toronto and run for six weeks. Artists from all musical genres are wel...

Deadline: June 15, 2026

READ MORE

 
 

Francophone Artist Opportunity - L'Arrière Scène Backstage

Calling all emerging or unsigned music-makers! Want to deepen your knowledge of Canada’s francophone music industry? Arrière Scène Backstage is for you — whether you sing in French, an Indigenous language, or play instrumental music.

Apply by June 1...

Deadline: June 15, 2026

READ MORE

 
 

Showcase Opportunity : Your Roots Are Showing 2027 - Ireland's Folk Conference

Your Roots Are Showing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting folk music in Ireland and worldwide, is now in its third year and has become a cornerstone event for Ireland's folk, roots, and traditional music community. This ann...

Deadline: June 16, 2026

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Call for submissions - THREADS: Cultural Conversations 2026.

What does it mean to reclaim — voice, story, space, self?

Threads Studio invites artists and storytellers from around the world to explore this question through a virtual exhibition presented as part of THREADS: Cultural Conversations 2026. Centered...

Deadline: June 30, 2026

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CALL FOR ARTISTS & FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS - AFRO TRIBES FESTIVAL 2026

The Afro Tribes Festival is moving to Victoria Park in downtown Regina — and preparations are underway to create an unforgettable celebration of African culture, music, food, art, and community.

Afro Tribes Festival is a registered non-profit organi...

Deadline: July 1, 2026

READ MORE

 
 

2026 Wide Open Country Song Contest

The Wide Open Country Song Contest is an annual original songwriting competition hosted by Wide Open Country in partnership with American Songwriter. It is designed to spotlight emerging country artists and songwriters, judged by a panel of industry pr...

Deadline: July 27, 2026

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Artist Opportunity - INDIE WEEK 2026

Applications are open to Canadian and international artists.

The INDIE WEEK 2026 is coming to Ottawa, Canada's capital, for three days of live music, industry panels, networking, demo listening sessions, and export-focused opportunities.

INDIE WE...

Deadline: July 31, 2026

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Program Opportunity: Mâwacihitowinihk Nikamowak - Indigenous Music Residency

This three-week residency invites musicians of various genres to apply with the intention of developing songs that are nearly completed or finished to take into the final stages of development with the support from faculty, peers and Banff Centre's audio production team.

Deadline: August 12, 2026

READ MORE

 
 

Folk Canada Board of Directors - Call for Nominations

Folk Canada is seeking passionate and qualified individuals to stand as candidates in the 2026 election of its Board of Directors.

READ MORE

 

SaskMusic's Latest

 

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Cultural Careers

 

To view openings in cultural work, visit the sites below

 
 
 

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