Please read the eligibility document below before submitting for the Covenant Awards
The Covenant Awards celebrate excellence and artistry in the Canadian Christian music industry. The individuals and music nominated should intentionally reflect, communicate, and/or support Christian faith.
All submissions must meet all eligibility requirements and may be submitted by any GMA Canada member in good standing. Submissions must be made during the submission period: May 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022. Early-bird submissions will receive a discounted submission rate until May 28, 2022.
Work submitted for consideration must have been released during the qualifying period, between May 1, 2019 - April 30th, 2022. A release constitutes the making available of one’s music (or related work) through any public platform (eg. radio airplay, streaming, download, or physical copies) The music must be previously unreleased, though new recordings of previously released songs will be accepted.
Awards will be decided by member vote and/or a jury.
Artist Submissions
To be considered in an artist category, the artist must have had at least three music releases during the qualifying period. Other efforts such as (but not limited to) live and online performances, radio airplay, overall industry impact, and fan engagement, may also be considered.
Artist submissions are welcomed in all categories where an artist/group is eligible. An artist/group that submits in more than two of the artist genre categories should be prepared to explain the crossover nature of their music.
Song Submissions
Song submissions are welcomed in all categories where the song is eligible. Artists/songwriters/labels (etc.) who submit a song in more than two of the song genre categories should be prepared to justify the crossover nature of that song.
Canadian Content (CanCon) and Citizenship/Residency Requirements
To be eligible for a Covenant award in individual categories, one must be a Canadian citizen. Groups must comprise a minimum of 50% Canadian citizens. Any music submitted must be at least 50% Canadian Content (CanCon), with the exception of Canadian Christian Song of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, and Video of the Year, which must be 100% CanCon.
Judging
Some awards will be determined by a combination of GMA member votes and Jury votes. Others will be determined by jury votes. Jurors/judges will be selected for applicable categories based on their overall experience, understanding of the genre they are judging, and absence of conflict of interest. Applications to serve as jurors are welcome from any GMA member in good standing, who are Canadian citizens, and who have no submissions, or direct connections to submissions, in the category they are judging. To maintain the integrity of the process, jurors must commit to confidentiality, and to reviewing each submission with integrity and equal attention. To apply, CLICK HERE, or email jaylene@gmacanada.ca with any questions.
Other Considerations
A minimum of three submissions must be received for nominations to be considered in any category. If there are less than three submissions, the category will be cancelled until the next Covenant Awards submission period. In this case, fees will be refunded, and those who submitted may reapply the following year, even if their music has been released outside of the new qualifying period.
All submissions must be completed in good faith, and include any links relevant to the judging process. Members will not be contacted in the case of broken or missing links, or inadequate permissions to view files.
COVENANT AWARD CATEGORIES
Album of the Year
Awarded to an artist (solo or group) from any genre of Christian music. “Albums” must be at least 6 songs or over 20 minutes in length. The submitted Album must have been released to the public (iTunes, Spotify, website etc.) during the qualifying period.
Artist of the Year
Awarded to an artist (solo or group) from any genre of music. New releases, industry impact such as radio airplay and streaming, live performances (online or in person), may be considered. Please be sure to submit all relevant links via the submission form.
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
A Breakthrough Artist is defined as an artist (solo or group) from any genre of Christian music, who has not released more than two projects (albums or EPs) during the previous three qualifying periods and has never been nominated for a Covenant Award in this category. General criteria for artist categories also apply.
Musical Collaboration of the Year
Awarded to a project or release from any genre of Contemporary Christian or Gospel music, that demonstrates excellence in collaboration between two or more Canadian artists, producers or songwriters. The project/song may not have been previously nominated in any category. Please note the CanCon requirement is 100% for this category.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Awarded to a solo female artist or female lead vocalist of a group, and can be from any genre of Christian music. “Female Vocalist” must demonstrate excellence and artistry in singing, and in the ability to convey the message of a song.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Awarded to a solo male artist or male lead vocalist of a group, and can be from any genre of Christian music. “Male Vocalist” must demonstrate excellence and artistry in singing, and in the ability to convey the message of a song.
Group of the Year
Awarded to a Canadian Group who has had a significant impact in Canadian Christian music during the qualifying period. (Please note the citizen/residency requirements for this category) "Impact" may include the release of new music as well as other factors including live performances (online or in person), radio airplay and streams, and fan engagement. Please be sure to submit all relevant links via the submission form.
Live Music Artist of the Year - Online or Live-in-person - *New
This award will be given to a GMA member in good standing, who has demonstrated excellence specifically in live music performance, online or in person. Please be sure to submit all relevant links and comments re: the scope of work via the submission form.
Producer of the Year
This award will be given to a GMA member in good standing who has demonstrated excellence in the area of music production. Please be sure to submit all relevant links and comments re: the scope of work via the submission form.
Radio/streaming Single of the Year - *New
Awarded to a single release with a significant impact at radio or on streaming platforms. Radio and streaming data will be reviewed for this award category, and it is not open to submissions.
Radio or Podcast Personality/Team of the Year - * New
This award is to acknowledge a Christian radio or podcast personality (or team) that excels in storytelling and creative engagement with their listeners. Specifically, this award celebrates those broadcasters whose work includes promoting and supporting the Canadian Christian music industry – its songs, artists, and songwriters. Please be sure to submit all relevant links and comments re: the scope of work via the submission form.
Songwriter of the Year - *New
This award will go to a Canadian songwriter who is actively participating in the writing and co-writing of Christian music for Canadian artists that they do not release themselves. The quality of the songwriting, collaborative work and industry impact will be considered. Please be sure to submit all relevant links and comments re: the scope of work via the submission form.
Canadian Christian Song of the Year - *New
Awarded to a song that demonstrates songwriting excellence in Christian music. This award differs from the Radio/Streaming single of the year, in that data will not be considered. Please note the CanCon requirement is 100% for this category.
Video of the Year
Awarded to a music video that demonstrates excellence in production and in the artistic visual communication of the song it represents. Please note the CanCon requirement is 100% for this category.
Visual Designer of the Year (Previously Album Artwork Design)
This award is given to a Canadian designer who has demonstrated excellence in visual art that supports Canadian Christian Music. This includes but is not limited to album graphics. Please be sure to submit all relevant links and comments re: the scope of work via the submission form.
ARTIST CATEGORIES (BY GENRE)
To be considered in an artist category, the artist must have had at least three releases during the qualifying period. Artists who submit in more than two genre categories should be prepared to justify the crossover nature of their music.
Note: a release constitutes a recording (song, video, or album) made available to the public via radio, streaming, or sales. Other efforts such as (but not limited to) live and online performances, radio airplay, overall industry impact, and fan engagement, may also be considered. Please be sure to submit all relevant links and comments re: the scope of work via the submission form.
All general eligibility requirements also apply.
Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to an Adult Contemporary artist (solo or group).
Children's Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Children’s artist (solo or group). In particular, this award is to acknowledge artists with a clear and artful calling to engage children through their music ministry.
Country Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Country artist (solo or group).
Folk Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Folk artist (solo or group).
Francophone Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Francophone artist (solo or group) who is releasing music in French.
Gospel Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Gospel artist (solo or group).
Indigenous Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to an Indigenous artist (solo or group).
Instrumental Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to an instrumental artist (solo or group). An artist releasing a combination of instrumental music and music including lyrics may be considered, provided that the focus of their artistry is on the former.
Jazz or Blues Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Jazz or Blues artist (solo or group).
Pop Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Pop artist (solo or group).
Rap Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Rap artist (solo or group).
Rock Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Rock artist (solo or group).
Southern Gospel Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Southern Gospel artist (solo or group).
Worship Artist of the Year - * New
Awarded to a Worship Artist (solo or group). In particular, this award is to acknowledge a worship leader who artfully and effectively facilitates corporate and individual worship, through their ministry and their music. Please be sure to submit all relevant links and comments re: the scope of work via the submission form.
SONG OF THE YEAR CATEGORIES BY GENRE
Eligible submissions for any of the following song genre awards are welcomed. Artists/songwriters/labels (etc.) who submit a song in more than two song genre categories should be prepared to justify the crossover nature of that song. These awards will be determined by jury, and given to works that demonstrate aesthetic excellence in their genre. Industry impact may also be considered.
All general eligibility requirements also apply.
Adult Contemporary Song of the Year (Previously Inspirational Song of the Year)
Country Song of the Year
Folk Song of the Year
Gospel Song of the Year
Pop Song of the Year
Rap Song of the Year
Rock Song of the Year
Seasonal Song of the Year
Worship Song of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is given to an individual or group for their notable work in Canadian Christian music, and is not open to submissions.
Industry Builder Award
This award is given to an individual or group for their notable work in the support of Canadian Christian music, and is not open to submissions.