Polaris Music Prize 2022 Event Season Announced
The Polaris Music Prize, presented by CBC Music, has revealed its plans for 2022.
We are excited to announce the much anticipated return of the Polaris Music Prize Event Season for 2022.
The 2022 Polaris Event Season will kick-off with the Prize’s 40 album Long List on June 14, followed by the 10 album Short List on July 14. This year’s winning album reveal will once again take place during the Polaris Gala presented by long-time partner CBC Music, happening September 19 at The Carlu in Toronto, Ontario.
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. Winning the Polaris Prize is validation of an artist’s vision and tangible proof that they’ve created something important and magical. It also comes with a financial windfall that’s often life-changing. Winning Polaris can also mean paying off debts, supporting worthy causes, and quite frequently providing the financial security to continue pursuing their craft and to do even greater things.
“Lifting up artists is more important than ever and we are proud to support the groundbreaking music the Polaris nominees create,” said Gary Slaight, president and CEO of Slaight Communications.
The Event Season will come to a close with the announcement of two new Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize-winning albums on Friday, October 21. The Heritage Prize is a hall of fame-minded critics prize/public polling campaign meant to celebrate classic Canadian albums created before Polaris began in 2006. The most recent Heritage Prize inductees include Nomeansno’s Wrong and Faith Nolan’s Africville albums. Past winners include the likes of Leonard Cohen, Dream Warriors, Lhasa, Jean-Pierre Ferland, Peaches and k-os.
Polaris continues to explore new and innovative ways of supporting Canada’s arts and culture community. The Polaris award-winning Poster program will be expanding to include additional artist commissions and showcase opportunities as part of the official Event Season lineup. Polaris is also proud to be working with an independent artist to develop its annual creative direction in 2022. Polaris has debuted “The Garden,” its themed look for the season. Designed by Toronto-based artist Alex McLeod, the look of The Garden will grow and evolve throughout Polaris season and will be integrated in the stage design and environment at the Polaris Gala. McLeod has been a part of creating visuals for Lido Pimienta, Gord Downie and Mutek. Watch a CBC Arts profile on McLeod.
“Polaris is dedicated to ensuring we are supporting Canada’s arts and culture community through every resource we have available. The team is energized and excited to create an Event Season that expands our impact and celebrates our communities’ achievements. We hope you will join us,” said Amber Moyle, Executive Director of Polaris Music Prize.
Albums eligible for 2022 Polaris Music Prize consideration must be released between May 1, 2021 and May 31, 2022. 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 at the Polaris Gala to select the Polaris Music Prize winner.
The past winners are Cadence Weapon (2021), 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).
We’re looking forward to kicking off another incredible year thanks to our staff, jury, board of directors, artists, sponsors, and community stakeholders.
Polaris Music Prize 2022 Event Season
June 14 – Long List Announcement: The Long List is where Polaris reveals the 40 nominated albums that will be considered for a given year’s Prize.
July 14 – Short List Announcement: Selected from the 40 album Long List, the Short List is where Polaris reveals the 10 finalist albums that will be considered for a given year’s Prize.
September 19 – Polaris Gala: Our prestige winner reveal event, the Polaris Gala features live musical performances from the nominated acts on the Polaris Short List. The Polaris Prize winner is determined day-of at the Gala by an 11-member Polaris Grand Jury selected from the greater Polaris juror pool.
October 21 – Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize: The Heritage Prize is a hall of fame-minded critics prize/public polling campaign meant to celebrate classic Canadian albums created before Polaris began in 2006. Like the Polaris Music Prize, winners and nominees of the Heritage Prize are albums of the highest artistic distinction, without regard to sales or affiliations.
We acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.
