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The brand-new Meridian Prize <\/strong>terms itself ”an annual, stand alone award recognizing an album of exceptional artistic achievement from Western and Northern Canada.” Its inaugural 10 nominees were announced on July 7, and the list includes now-established regional stars alongside new and emerging artists. The 2026 recipient will be awarded on Oct. 3 at BreakOut West in Victoria, B.C., receiving a $5,000 honourarium.<\/p>\n Begonia \u2013 Fantasy Life Similar in nature to the Polaris Prize but specifically for Western and Northern Canada, the Meridian Prize “celebrates works of clarity, depth, originality and integrity, honouring albums that stand as complete creative statements and mark a defining moment in an artist’s practice” and is selected by an independent jury of festival and radio programmers, independent record store staff, culture critics and curators.<\/p>\n Michael Dawson, executive director of the Meridian Prize, states: \u201cIt\u2019s a great privilege to steward this project forward. My sincere hope is that the prize, in partnership with BreakOut West, will serve as a platform for people to discover seminal albums and draw inspiration from the stories behind them. The eligible region spans 6,827,019 square kilometers. That is a vast and diverse landscape whose artists make a profound impact.\u201d More info here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n2026 Meridian Prize Nominees<\/h2>\n
Cassia Hardy \u2013 In Relation
Emma Goldman \u2013 all you are is we
Fontine \u2013 Good Buddy
Foxwarren \u2013 2
Home Front \u2013 Watch It Die
Jack J \u2013 Desert Blue
Jairus Sharif \u2013 Basis of Unity
Living Hour \u2013 Internal Drone Infinity
William Prince \u2013 Further From The Country<\/p>\n