The Slaight Music CMW Social, Steve Jordan, Founder and Executive Director of the Polaris Music Prize, and Gary Slaight, President of Slaight Music, announced that Slaight will contribute an additional $20,000 to the Prize for 2015, bringing the total to $50,000.
Slaight will also increase their award to other Short List nominees from $2,000 to $3,000, and The Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize was announced as well – a new award that will annually honour five albums from the five decades before Polaris launched in 2006. Further details about the dates and selection process of this new prize will be revealed in the coming months.
“We’re ecstatic that Gary and Derrick from Slaight music have stepped up to help us celebrate our tenth year in a huge way. Although it’s impossible to put a dollar figure on great art, this increase bring us more in line with other major arts awards like the Scotiabank Giller Prize,” said Jordan in a press release. “And while this money is hugely generous, we are as excited to extend the Polaris conversation to the rich legacy of classic records from Canadian history. We get to officially pose a long time informal argument; what would be nominated for Polaris before it existed?”
“We’ve been proud supporters of the Polaris Prize for many years and wanted to celebrate their 10 years by awarding more funds to the winners and nominees,” said Gary Slaight. “In addition, we wanted to make a more lasting contribution. Launching the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize is the perfect way for our family to show its appreciation for the greats of Canadian music through the respected Polaris filter.”
The Polaris Music Prize Long List announcement will head to Halifax on June 16th. The 40 titles will be announced at the world famous Carleton music venue and will be presented in conjunction with the team at Halifax Pop Explosion.
The Short List will be unveiled on July 16th at The Carlu in Toronto, and the Polaris Music Prize Gala will return to The Carlu for its third year, taking place on Monday, September 21st.
