Thanks for your interest in becoming a poster artist for the Short List of the Polaris Music Prize.
Background
Polaris is a not-for-profit organization that annually honours the best in Canadian recorded music since 2006. They have become well-regarded for the series of posters they commission to represent each of the shortlisted albums. They are produced in the spirit of concert gig posters and meant to be beautiful and rare mementos. The posters are always heavily anticipated and marketed on polarismusicprize.ca and our related social networks. You can see examples here.
Assignment
The Polaris Short List of albums will be announced on July 14. For each of the 10 short-listed albums, a visual artist will be assigned to produce artwork for one 18 x 24 inch poster. For reference, the long list of albums can reviewed here.
Application
To be considered as a poster artist, please send a web link or a PDF with samples of existing artwork. Artists with experience in illustrating concert posters or screen prints will receive higher consideration. 10 artists will be selected by Polaris and poster creative directors The Office of Gilbert Li.
We ask that you do not submit poster concepts or sketches at this time.
Deadlines
Deadline for application is 12 pm ET, Thursday, June 30, 2022.
If selected to be a poster artist, the deadline for final artwork will be 12 pm ET, Thursday, August 18, 2022.
Notification
If you are selected you will be notified Monday, July 18, 2022. At that time, further information on artwork requirements, production specifications and the formal agreement will be provided. Only those selected will be notified.
Artwork Usage
The finished artwork will be screen printed in a limited edition of 44. One framed copy will be presented to each 2022 Short List nominee. They will also receive 4 additional unframed copies. The remainder will be given to partners and sponsors, charity and some will be sold. You will receive 10 prints.
We will also print postcard-sized copies of your artwork to be given out freely. We will credit you as the artist and include your website information.
A (1) poster design may also be selected for a mural in downtown Toronto, courtesy of the Downtown Yonge BIA. If this happens the poster artists will be offered additional compensation.
Compensation
Polaris is offering this as compensation for your work:
- $250+HST flat fee for the artwork• Participating artists will also be paid $250 USD by Collective Arts Brewing to license their work for Polaris Gala-related product placement. Poster artists maintain ownership of their work. Collective Arts process their payments via PayPal.
- 10 screen prints (from the limited edition run of 44)
You will be credited as the artist with links to your website whenever and wherever possible.
We are interested in hearing from a diverse group of applicants. We especially encourage those from all under-represented groups, including women, Black and Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC), other racialized persons and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to apply.
Once again, thanks for applying. And good luck!
