Canadian music prize celebrating 'artistic excellence' launched

A new prize celebrating excellence in Canadian music and modelled after the U.K.'s acclaimed Mercury Prizewas introducedin Toronto on Tuesday.

Spearheaded by a former music industry insider, the Polaris Music Prize will present $20,000 to an artist or group deemed to have created the best Canadian albumin the previous year.

'There will be only one criterion for selecting the best album: artistic excellence.' -Polaris Music Prize organizers

"Canada, as much or more than any other country in the world, produces artists that create timeless works. It is this fact that fuelled the creation of the Polaris Music Prize," said creator Steve Jordan, a former artist and repertoire rep for Warner Music Canada and Truth North Records.

"We've been getting away from the grand artistic statement that is the full-length record. We want to bring focus back to the exploratory journey that is a great album."

Smaller panel selects winner

A panel of more than 100 journalists, broadcasters and programmers who cover music across Canada are in the process of submitting their contenders for the five best Canadian albums released between June 1, 2005, and May 31, 2006.

All forms of contemporary music including but not limited to pop, rock, hip hop electronic, jazz, classical, country and blues are eligible. However, compilations of previously released material, including remixes, are not eligible.

After the long list is compiled, the jury panel will have another chance to vote for their top five choices.

A short list of the top 10 albums will be announced July 4, with plans for a compilation album featuring one track from each nominee.

A smaller, 11-member jury will select the ultimate winner from the short list, with the inaugural prize presented at a gala held on Sept. 18 at Toronto's Phoenix Concert Theatre.

Celebrating homegrown musical talent

"There will be only one criterion for selecting the best album: artistic excellence, irrespective of genre or sales," organizers said in a statement.

"Choosing a winner is a clear objective but the raison d'tre of the Polaris Music Prize is to celebrate, stimulate interest in and provide publicity for all sorts of exceptional Canadian music."

The fledgling award has already received a thumb's up from the organizers behind its main inspiration: the Mercury Prize.

"Anything that brings homegrown talent to a wider audience is good news for music," David Wilkinson, executive producer of the U.K. award, said in a letter.

"It should benefit a whole range of Canadian artists as it grows each year, and hopefully there will be a few musical discoveries along the way one of the real joys of an event like this!"