Awards and Prizes
MiMc Music Awards 2026
Giving you Mentorship and opportunities to connect with music industry professionals.
Awards and Prizes are designed to showcase your talent, support your brand and media, gain recognition, publicity and exposure. Over $50,000. worth in prizes will be awarded.
THREE Top Winners will receive the prizes listed below.
TWENTY Semi-finalists will each receive a Prize package valued at $2,000.
ALL Participants will receive a professional adjudication, a certificate, and a digital swag bag*.
*valued at over $350.
Music Studio Time ~ $5,000.+
One winner will receive Studio Time with music producer Michael Hanson who garnered 5 JUNO AWARDS, a U.S. Grammy Nomination and multiple gold and Platinum hit sales worldwide.
* A previous winner cannot be the recipient of this prize.
One prize – $5000.
One track recorded & produced with MICHAEL HANSON at Altravox Studios in East Gwillimbury ON. (north of Toronto )
* Full arrangement, recording & production in the creation of world class radio-ready quality Master(s) tracks.
* Assistance in co-writing with Michael Hanson if requested
* Guidance & follow-up for Global release and distribution through Radar Love Records ( on request )
MICHAEL HANSON at Altravox Studios in Sharon ON.
Michael Hanson:
with 5 Juno awards, Grammy nominee (USA), and multiple gold & platinum records over a 35-year career, he is one of the most sought-after and renowned Music Producers in Canada, working with & developing a steady stream of new young artists for over the last 30 years (as well as Netflix Series & Feature Film).
Festival Stage Opportunity ~ Priceless
One prize
One winner will be selected for a chance* (the possibility) to perform on a Festival Stage – to be announced.
* based on a set of criteria and conditions required by the Festival organizers.
* A previous winner cannot be the recipient of this prize.
Grand Prize winner ~ $14,000.
+INCLUDES STUDIO TIME PRIZE
Value $5,000.
Music Media Publicity + Mentorship
Value $1,500.
Former DownBeat writer Kerilie McDowall will write a press release for your album release project. A publicity package with jazz writer-publicist/communications specialist, jazz filmmaker, podcaster, and guitarist Kerilie McDowall who has achieved several awards in music, short film and radio/podcasting. McDowall will be coaching you on press-release writing and prepare you for one-sheet writing. Her mentorship includes one-on-one coaching and can include any of the following, or artists can choose their focus. (5 hours)
Music Sync: Mentorship and coaching.
GRANTS – Advice, mentorship.
JUNO Awards and Polaris Music Prize Awards preparation and mentorship
EPK: Press-release writing and prepare you for one-sheet writing.
Guesting: on Blog/Radio/TV/Podcasts.
Music Video/Mini Doc: Approaches with Film Festivals.
Exposure on Community and College Radio
Submission of one song to over 120 stations.
Value $700
A one-hour session tutorial, account setup, guidelines, and tips.
Developing your brand to build a community of raving fans.
An extensive branding, design, and digital package.
Value $4,000.
The winner will be awarded a combination of the following focused on improving their brand marketing:
Logo, Symbol, or equivalent image, Website Content & Design/ Consultation and Guidance
Building your online presence guidance.
Social Media campaign, Graphics for Music Media Ads Prize
A FEATURE Profile – in our Music Community
Featured in SCENE Magazine
Value $1,500
A combination of a New Music Release, Story Behind your song, personal interview, cover story, with social media graphics and posts.
Publicity Opportunities and Music Strategies
Value $1,000.
Showcase, TV Channel Spotlight, Connections, interviews, playlists and more.
One-on-one – Music Manager/Producer of a Label 4 x 45min calls $200.00 value
One-on-one – Consulting with music release strategist – by Drop Rocket.
Second Place winner ~ $9,000. value
Music Publicity
Value $1,500.
A publicity package with jazz writer-publicist/communications specialist, jazz filmmaker, podcaster, and guitarist Kerilie McDowall who has achieved several awards in music, short film and radio/podcasting. (4 hour)
EPK mastery: Coaching in press release, bio, one-sheet, and writing for your EPK. Approaches to press release writing, social media, and press liaison; how to approach the press. How to acquire blog, podcast, radio, television, magazine, newspaper interviews. Learn to be the perfect interview guest.
Guesting: on Blog/Radio/TV/Podcasts.
GRANTS: Advice, mentorship.
Music Video/Mini Doc: Approaches with Film Festivals.
Exposure on Community and College Radio
Submission of one song to over 120 stations.
Value $700
A one-hour session tutorial, account setup, guidelines, and tips.
Developing your brand to build a community of raving fans.
An extensive branding, design, and digital package.
Value $2,500.
The winner will be awarded a combination of the following focused on improving their brand marketing:
Logo, Symbol, or equivalent image; website content & Design/ Consultation and Guidance
Building your online presence guidance.
Graphics for Music Media Ads Prize
Pro Profile – in our Music Community (write content, seo, create, 5 years)
Graphics for Music Media Ads Prize
Featured in SCENE Magazine
Value $1,500
A combination of a New Music Release, Story Behind your song, personal interview, cover story, with social media graphics and posts.
Publicity Opportunities and Music Strategies
Value $1,500.
Showcase, TV Channel Spotlight, Connections, interviews, Radio, Playlists and more.
One-on-one – Music Manager/Producer of a Label 3 x 45min calls $150.00 value
One-on-one – Consulting with music release strategist – by Drop Rocket.
Third Place winner ~ $5,500.
Music Publicity
Value $900.
A publicity package with past DownBeat writer, jazz writer-publicist/communications specialist, jazz filmmaker, and guitarist Kerilie McDowall, who has achieved several awards in music, short film, and radio/podcasting. (3 hours)
Approaches to press release writing, social media techniques, and press liaison; how to approach the press. How to acquire blog, podcast, radio, television, magazine, and newspaper interviews. Learn to be the perfect interview guest.
GRANTS – Advice, mentorship.
EPK mastery.
Exposure on Community and College Radio
Submission of one song to over 120 stations.
Value $700
A one-hour session tutorial, account setup, guidelines, and tips.
Developing your brand to build a community of raving fans.
An extensive branding, design, and digital package.
Value $1,500
The winner will be awarded a combination of the following focused on improving their brand marketing:
Logo, Symbol, or equivalent image, or Website Content & Design/ Consultation
Building your online presence guidance.
Graphics for Music Media Ads Prize
Pro Profile – in our Music Community
Featured in SCENE Magazine
Value $1,500
A combination of a New Music Release, Story Behind your song, personal interview, cover story, with social media graphics and posts.
Publicity Opportunities and Music Strategies
Value $1,000.
Showcase, TV Channel Spotlight, Connections, interviews, playlists and more.
One-on-one – Music Manager/Producer of a Label 2 x 45min calls $100.00 value
One-on-one – Consulting with music release strategist – by Drop Rocket.
Our Rising Star ~ $3,100.
PRESS RELEASE
Value $500
Past JUNO judge/ Polaris Music Prize juror and current DownBeat juror, and award-winning composer Kerilie McDowall will write a press release for your album release project’s EPK.
McDowall will be coaching you on press-release writing and prepare you for one-sheet writing. (2 hours)
Developing your brand to build a community of raving fans.
A branding and digital package.
Value $550
The winner will be awarded a combination of the following focused on improving their brand marketing:
Website Design/ Consultation
Building your online presence guidance.
Graphics for Music Media Ads Prize
Pro Profile – in our Music Community
Featured in SCENE Magazine
Value $1,000
A cover story, Story Behind the song, Music Release, with social media graphics and posts.
Exposure on Community and College Radio
Submission of one song to over 120 stations.
Value $700
A one-hour session tutorial, account setup, guidelines, and tips.
Exposure Publicity Opportunities
Value $300.
TV Channel Spotlight, playlists and more.
One-on-one – Music Manager/Producer of a Label 1 x 45min calls $50.00 value
20 Semi-Finalists ~ $2,000. each
Studio Time – value of $1,400. each
You will receive a voucher for 50% discount** on the following:
- One individual track recorded & produced with MICHAEL HANSON at Altravox Studios in Sharon ON.
- Assistance in co-writing with Michael Hanson if requested.
Radio Airplay
Semi-finalists will receive consideration of one song to be featured on participating collaborators’ radio programs. Songs are chosen at their discretion.
Music Release APP $15.
A 3-month free subscription to Drop Rocket
Boost your online Presence – Gold Profile & TV Channel – value of $600. each
TV Channel platform for one year.
A Pro Profile in our Community
Includes a Showcase Member Spot* and Semi-Finalist Social Media Share
*Showcase member spots are given when two reviews have been added to their profile.
**If you are the winner/recipient of the Studio Time $5,000. package, this does not apply.
Prize Winners – All prizes must be claimed and completed within six months of acceptance. Please read our Rules and Regulations for details.
Making Connections through…
Meet the Adjudicators
Our TV Channel special feature
Digital Swag Bag
