Polaris Music Prize 2021 Key Dates Announced

Polaris Music Prize, presented by CBC Music, has revealed its key dates for 2021.

The prize’s 40 album Long List will be announced June 15. The 10 album Short List will be unveiled on July 15. This year’s winning album reveal will take place in the fall. The exact date will be announced closer to the event. The 16th edition of the prize will be streamed around the world at CBCMusic.ca/Polaris.

The Polaris Music Prize awards $50,000 to the artist who creates the Canadian Album of the Year, judged solely on artistic merit, without consideration for genre or record sales. Additionally, the nine other nominated acts whose albums make the 2021 Short List will receive $3,000 each courtesy of Slaight Music.

Albums eligible for 2021 Polaris Music Prize consideration must be released between May 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. An independent jury of music media from across Canada determines the Long List and Short List. Eleven people from the larger jury pool are then chosen to serve on the Grand Jury. This Grand Jury convenes to select the Polaris Music Prize winner.

The past winners are Backxwash (2020), Haviah Mighty (2019), Jeremy Dutcher (2018), Lido Pimienta (2017), Kaytranada (2016), Buffy Sainte-Marie (2015), Tanya Tagaq (2014), Godspeed You! Black Emperor (2013), Feist (2012), Arcade Fire (2011), Karkwa (2010), Fucked Up (2009), Caribou (2008), Patrick Watson (2007) and Final Fantasy / Owen Pallett (2006).

Polaris Music Prize 2021 Key Dates:

June 15 – Long List announcement
July 15 – Short List announcement
Fall 2021 – Winner Event