Scion Canada supports Canadian talent as new presenting sponsor of Polaris Music Prize

TORONTO, ON., (April 4, 2013) – Growing as a unique brand that actively supports and collaborates with people who are driven to follow their own passions, Scion Canada has become the new presenting sponsor of the 2013 Polaris Music Prize.

The annual prize awards $30,000 to the artist who creates the Canadian Album of the Year. Nominees are judged by an independent jury of experts, based solely on artistic merit, and without consideration of genre or record sales.

“Scion owners are youthful, active, urban, and love to express their individuality both in the cars they drive and the music they listen to,” said Cyril Dimitris, Director, Scion Canada. “Scion has been a strong supporter of emerging Canadian talent and we’re proud to sponsor an award that shines the spotlight on Canada’s top musical talent.”

The eligibility period for album consideration of the 2013 Polaris Music Prize will run until May 31. A Long-List of 40 contenders will be unveiled on June 13, with a Short-List of 10 finalists revealed on July 16. The winner will be announced at a gala event in Toronto on September 23.

The 2013 Polaris Music Prize highlights Scion Canada’s ongoing contributions to Canadian music with Scion Sessions, the automotive brand’s own music support program. Scion Sessions collaborates with Canadian artists on original music releases, concert tours, and performance videos, including projects with past Polaris Music Prize nominees.

Scion and Manifesto Take It to The Hood

September, 2011 - Various Locations

The Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture is one of Canada’s largest hip hop festivals, bringing together hundreds of artists & performers with thousands of attendees. This year, the festival runs from September 15th through to the 25th, showcasing Toronto’s talented arts community and building a sense of pride and possibility.

Scion and Manifesto Take It to The Hood

The Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture is one of Canada’s largest hip hop festivals, bringing together hundreds of artists & performers with thousands of attendees. This year, the festival runs from September 15th through to the 25th, showcasing Toronto’s talented arts community and building a sense of pride and possibility.

Scion has now joined forces with Manifesto as the proud presenter of All Good On the Hood – an integrated community arts program, gallery, auction and competition, in which 13 of Toronto’s most talented artists will create unique works of art on the hoods of Scion cars. Each of the 13 artists attended events at Scion dealerships across the GTA creating an original painting on the hood of a Scion vehicle in the weeks leading up to Manifesto. These incredible creations will be sold at a silent auction at 99 Sudbury on September 23 to raise money for Manifesto’s charitable work in the Toronto arts community. The most popular hoods will then compete for a $2,000 cash prize at Manifesto’s main event at Yonge-Dundas Square on September 25.

Event details are below – contact a participating Scion dealer near you for more details.

Voting and Silent Auction

On September 23rd, after all of the dealership events are concluded, the completed hoods will be showcased while mounted on Scion vehicles, at 99 Sudbury, as part of the festival’s all styles dance event - The Movement.

Throughout the event, attendees can cast their vote for their favourite hood. Plus, from 8 to 11pm, attendees can participate in a silent auction, with the highest bidders taking home their one-of-a-kind artworks at the conclusion of the festival.

The top 5 vote-getters in the favourites competition will move on to the final competition during the headline event, Live in the Square, September 25th from 12 noon to 11 pm at Yonge-Dundas Square.

Everyone Wins

The artist of the most popular hood will get $2,000 from Scion Canada. Plus, anyone who votes for their favourite hood during the events at 99 Sudbury and Yonge-Dundas Square will be entered to win a 14th custom hood, designed by leading Toronto graffiti artist RCade. The winners will be announced on the 25th, during the Live in the Square event.

All proceeds from the "All Good On the Hood" competition will support Manifesto's Friends of Community & Culture initiatives.

Dealership Events

The All Good on the Hood paintings were completed during special events at the following Scion Dealerships. Register with Scion.ca now to ensure you’re on the guest list for future events.

DEALERSHIP	HOOD	DATE	TIME	ARTIST	DJ
Don Valley Scion	xD	6 Sep	3 – 7 pm	Georgina Walker	Wizdome
Markville Scion	xB	7 Sep	4 – 8 pm	Fly Lady Di	Spence Diamonds
Attrell Scion	xB	8 Sep	1 – 5 pm	Steve Carty	DJ Jme
Aurora Scion	tC	10 Sep	12 – 4 pm	Birdo	Dj Roses
Yorkdale Scion	tC	13 Sep	3 – 7 pm	Li-Hill	P Plus
Ken Shaw Scion	xB	13 Sep	5 – 9 pm	Adrian Hayles	M Rock
Scarborough Scion	tC	15 Sep	5 – 9 pm	Ashley McKenzie-Barnes	Lucie Tic
Meadowvale Scion	tC	17 Sep	11 am – 3 pm	Mozy	TBA
Maple Scion	xB	17 Sep	1 – 5 pm	Martial Artistik	Kid Artik
Burlington Scion	tC	18 Sep	4 – 8 pm	Glenn Nakagawa	Jay Cleary
Erin Park Scion	xD	18 Sep	1 – 5 pm	Duro	Kid Artik
Scion on Front	xD	19 Sep	7 – 11 pm	Jimmy Chiale	Agile

Scion Returns to Igloofest

Scion returns to the 5th edition of Igloofest, Montreal’s signature outdoor winter dance party, as the exclusive sponsor of the 2011 Scion Podcast Series.

Featuring leading artists in the Canadian and international electronic music scenes, including Akufen, Kid Sister, Egyptrixx, Isolée, Carl Craig, Poirier, and many more, Scion presents live recordings from each of the festival’s 9 nights this January, available throughout the winter months. The Scion Podcast Series also includes four preview podcasts that are already available, featuring Poirier, Green & Lateez, two from Maher Daniel, and a special contribution from the Igloofest team’s very own FunkyFalz.

Listen to all the Scion podcasts at Igloofest.ca.

Scion is your free ticket to Igloofest. Throughout the month of January, stop by any Greater Montreal Scion dealership and test drive a Scion for free admission for one (1) person to any night of Igloofest 2011. Visit the Dealer Locator to find a dealer near you. Promotion runs from Jan 6 to Jan 29, while supplies last.

Visit the Scion display at Igloofest, check out the hottest car in the city this winter, roast a marshmallow and talk to one of our Scion brand ambassadors to get free and exclusive Scion stuff! Scion will be with you by the igloos every night of the festival, which happens January, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29, 2011.

Introducing Scion Sessions

Scion has always been associated with busting conventions, opening eyes to a different way of doing things, and forging new cultural experiences. It’s only natural that the brand should launch Scion Sessions—a micro sponsorship program in support of alternative arts, music, fashion and sports.



"Grassroot events are where new ideas, new trends, and original events are created," says Larry Hutchinson, Director of Scion in Canada. "But, to take root and thrive outside of the mainstream, grassroots initiatives and organizations require nurture and support. Scion Sessions will provide the sponsorship for smaller communities and collectives to help them realize their larger vision."
Starting in May 2010, Scion will seek out Session opportunities in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal—working with local promoters, schools, and retailers to identify nascent musical groups and genres, emerging artists and art collectives, independent fashion designers and fashion design collectives, and action sport enthusiasts.

Depending on the type of event, Scion Session support will take different forms—as a grant, as prize money, or as the seed money to get an event up and running. All together, 70 Sessions and events are planned over the next five months. They’ll be announced through social media networks, including Facebook and Twitter, in time for fans and followers to mark the dates on their own calendars—and maybe even scoop up some of the free tickets Scion will be doling out.
"Music, fashion, art, extreme sports, and Scion Sessions," says Hutchinson, "it promises to be one interesting summer."