The prize is being paused in its current form, according to the board. The reasons behind the decision and the future of the Polar Prize are not clear.
At the same time, Marie Ledin is stepping down as CEO. Polar Music Prize's management says that after more than 30 years they are now facing "a natural generational shift" and that Ledin, daughter of Stig "Stikkan" Andersson, is stepping down from the organisation's management.
"This means that I will be leaving my operational role, although my commitment and that of the rest of my family to the Polar Music Prize will of course remain," she says in a written statement.
Open to continuation
In August , Dagens ETC revealed that TV4, which had previously financed a large part of the award gala production, would no longer do so. Later, the television channel stated that it was open to a continuation after all.
However, Marie Ledin did not want to comment at the time on the future of the prize, and asked to be allowed to return to the matter.
The prize money, usually one million kronor per winner, has been financed through returns on the donation, but the operations and the gala also depend on sponsors that have been hard to find, according to ETC, which reported that running expenses have been greater than income.
Letter to the Ministry
In 2018, the Polar Prize asked the Ministry of Culture for 400,000 kronor in support to invite a girls' choir from the Afghan music school Anim, Sveriges Radio reported. The money was needed to cover the costs of "travel and hostel accommodation," the Polar Prize stated, which could be interpreted as indicating financial difficulties.
Last year, the Polar Prize was awarded to Queen, Herbie Hancock and Barbara Hannigan.
TT is looking for Marie Ledin.
The Polar Prize was established in 1989 by Stig “Stikkan” Andersson, founder of the record label Polar Music, who donated 42 million kronor, according to Dagens Industri, and has been awarded since 1992. Usually, one laureate in popular music and another in classical music have been selected. The prize money is 1 million kronor each.
The first popular music award went to Paul McCartney. Other winners include Joni Mitchell (1996), Bruce Springsteen (1997), Björk (2010) and last year the rock group Queen.
The classical prize has gone to, among others, Pierre Boulez (1996), Renée Fleming (2008), Afghanistan National Institute of Music (2018), Anna Netrebko (2021) and Arvo Pärt (2023).
