Music PEI Awards
The Music PEI team has put together 25 awards, each designed to celebrate various genres, styles, industry professionals and community leaders.
Awards Submissions
A complete guideline to the awards, submission process, eligibility criteria and other details can be found in the updated 2026 Award Guidelines.
Award submissions can be made using our new Awards Platform but it is advised you read the Guidelines before submitting.
There will be multiple performance opportunities during Music PEI Week 2026. Artists/Groups do not have to apply to perform. All nominees are automatically considered for performance opportunities.
Artists are not required to submit physical copies of their CD to the Music PEI office. However, if an artist would like to add their CD to the Music PEI archive, they can mail or deliver a maximum of two (2) physical copies of their CD. Note: these CDs may be used for promotional purposes.
Changes for the 2026 Awards
Please note that there have been a few changes to the awards offered. Last year, Music PEI offered 26 award categories, this year there are also 26.
Submission fees for all Music PEI Award submissions are now FREE with a membership to Music PEI.
Music PEI has created a few new categories for the 2026 awards including; Visual Artist of the Year, Behind the Music Award, Alternative Recording of the Year, Folk Recording of the Year, and Country Recording of the Year.
Finally, the following changes have been made to how nominees and winners are decided for the categories of Live Production Professional of the Year, Recording Professional of the Year, Leo Cheverie Community Contributor of the Year, Lifetime Achievement. Member voting for these categories has been reinstated.
Changes to Award Adjudication
Recording Professional of the Year & Live Production Professional of the Year: Member vote determines the nominees and the top score is the winner.
Leo Cheverie Community Contributor of the Year & Lifetime Achievement: Member vote determines the nominees, top score determines the winner.
Visual Artist of the Year & Behind the Music Award: Member votes determine the nominees, top score determines the winner.
Categories Eliminated for 2026
Educator of the Year – now represented under Community Contributor
Live Sector Award – now represented under Behind the Music Award
Digital Presence of the Year – now represented under Behind the Music Award
Album Art of the Year – now represented under Visual Artist of the Year
Pop Recording of the Year – renamed Pop/Dance Recording of the Year
New Categories & Category Changes For 2026
All Board Awards have been retired
Alternative Recording of the Year: Represents Alt-rock, Punk/Hardcore, Experimental, Grunge, metal, etc.
Pop/Dance Recording of the Year: Formerly Pop Recording of the Year, now includes EDM and other styles.
Folk Recording of the Year: Formerly Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year; focuses on modern styles of folk.
Country Recording of the Year: Formerly Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year; focuses on all styles of Country music.
Traditional Recording of the Year; Formerly Traditional Roots Recording of the Year, now includes any styles of traditional music with direct historical roots to a specific ancestry, culture, region or community.
Behind the Music Award: Formerly Live Sector Award and Digital Presence of the Year, this award recognizes excellence in any aspect of the business side of music on PEI. (booking agents, promoters, venues, presenters, events, etc.
Recording Professional of the Year: Formerly the Recording Sector Award
Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award: Now includes submissions from educators.
Visual Artist of the Year: Formerly Album Art of the Year, this award recognizes excellence in visual art in music. Examples include; album art, EP art, or single art for a recording released during the eligibility period, as well as photoshoots, poster art, merch design and other graphic design related to music on Prince Edward Island
Changes to Application Fees
Submission fees for all awards have been waived this year.
