2024 Polaris Music Prize Poster Application Is Now Open

Thanks for your interest in becoming a poster artist for the Short List of the Polaris Music Prize.

Background

Polaris is a registered charity 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 11. 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.

We ask that you do not submit poster concepts or sketches at this time.

Deadlines

Deadline for application is 12 pm ET, Friday, July 12, 2024.

If selected to be a poster artist, the deadline for final artwork will be 12 pm ET, Friday, July 26, 2024.

Notification

If you are selected you will be notified by Monday, July 15, 2024. 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 under 50 prints. One copy will be presented to each 2024 Short List nominee. The remainder will be given to partners and sponsors, charity and some will be sold. You will receive 5 prints.

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:

• $500+HST flat fee for the artwork.
• Poster artists maintain ownership of their work.
• 5 screen prints

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!