Family-run Calgary recording studio and post-production facility offering grants for marginalized artists

A Calgary recording studio and post-production house is offering private grants to local underrepresented musicians.

A Calgary recording studio and post-production facility is offering grants to provide in-kind services to underfinanced recording artists.

Starting in May, Serving Artists’ Dreams (SAD) Entertainment, a family-owned recording studio, are offering multiple grants of around $20,000 apiece, providing studio time and post-production for marginalized artists in the community.

“Through this program, selected applicants will receive professional recording, mixing, mastering, and visual support entirely funded by our company,” the company said in a media release.

“As an independent Calgary studio, this is something we are incredibly proud to put forward. We believe artists deserve more practical and meaningful support, and we wanted to create an opportunity that could have a significant impact on the ground level here in our city," it added.

SAD Entertainment was founded around eight years ago by brothers Brenden and Jayden Ormandy and their close friend, audio engineer Adrian Rivera.

Among their clients are hundreds of local Calgary musicians, as well as such commercial clients as Harper Collins, who they record audio books for, Moonbug Entertainment and Netflix.

The company says it is offering free studio time, sound mixing and post-production services as a way to give back to the Calgary community.

“This city is the reason why we’re able to exist,” said SAD communications director Jayden Ormandy.

“We want to give back.”

On its website, the company has outlined the requirements to qualify for the grant and what you can expect if you get one.