Each year since 2006, the Polaris Music Prize has handed out $20,000 to what its jury deems to be the "Canadian album of the year," and the award has quickly become one of the highlights of the Canuck musical calendar. For its sixth instalment, the excitement is bound to be even greater, as the Polaris organizers just increased the prize money. Now, the Polaris Music Prize is worth $30,000.
"This increase in prize money coincides with Sirius Satellite Radio Canada returning as our presenting sponsor this year," said Polaris founder and executive director Steve Jordan in a statement. "In our discussion, we agreed it was time to increase the winnings for the first time in our six-year history."
To make the deal even sweeter, all ten artists who make the award's shortlist will get $2,000. This money comes courtesy of a new sponsor, Slaight Music.
CEO Gary Slaight explained, "From our perspective, each of the ten Polaris finalists are winners and we wanted to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. We hope the additional funds will be used to assist in furthering their musical careers."
As usual, the Polaris jury is made up of journalists, broadcasters and bloggers from across the country. They are currently voting on their favourite Canadian albums, and the top 40 will be announced on June 16 at a press conference in Toronto.
That long list will be narrowed down to a short list of ten, which will be unveiled on July 6. The grand prize winner will be announced on September, live at CTV's Concert Hall studios at Toronto's Masonic Temple. The show and ceremony will air on Sirius channel 152 and MuchMusic.
Past Polaris winners are: Final Fantasy, Patrick Watson, Caribou, Fucked Up and Karkwa.
"This increase in prize money coincides with Sirius Satellite Radio Canada returning as our presenting sponsor this year," said Polaris founder and executive director Steve Jordan in a statement. "In our discussion, we agreed it was time to increase the winnings for the first time in our six-year history."
To make the deal even sweeter, all ten artists who make the award's shortlist will get $2,000. This money comes courtesy of a new sponsor, Slaight Music.
CEO Gary Slaight explained, "From our perspective, each of the ten Polaris finalists are winners and we wanted to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. We hope the additional funds will be used to assist in furthering their musical careers."
As usual, the Polaris jury is made up of journalists, broadcasters and bloggers from across the country. They are currently voting on their favourite Canadian albums, and the top 40 will be announced on June 16 at a press conference in Toronto.
That long list will be narrowed down to a short list of ten, which will be unveiled on July 6. The grand prize winner will be announced on September, live at CTV's Concert Hall studios at Toronto's Masonic Temple. The show and ceremony will air on Sirius channel 152 and MuchMusic.
Past Polaris winners are: Final Fantasy, Patrick Watson, Caribou, Fucked Up and Karkwa.
