Formation | 1979 by Victor Borge, Tony Habig, and Julius Bloom |
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Purpose | Discover, promote and advance the careers of young, American, world-class jazz and classical pianists |
Headquarters | 4603 Clarendon Road, Suite 030, Indianapolis, IN 46208 |
Location |
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Region served | United States |
President & CEO | Chris Williams |
Current Classical Winner | Kenny Broberg |
Current Jazz Winner | Isaiah J. Thompson |
Main organ | Board of Directors |
Website | pianoawards |
Formerly called | The Beethoven Foundation (1979-1989), American Pianists Association (1989-2024) |
American Piano Awards is a non-profit performing arts organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The organization's goal is to "discover, promote, and advance" the careers of young American pianists. The organization hosts a biennial competition called the American Piano Awards, which switches focus from classical piano to jazz piano every two years.[1] Valued at over $200,000, the awards of the competition are among the most lucrative piano prizes in the world.[citation needed] The Cole Porter Fellowship, awarded to the winner of the jazz competitions, is one of the greatest honors young American jazz musicians can receive.[2] In non-competition years, the organization hosts a piano recital series,[3] and from 2003 through 2008, the organization produced Indy Jazz Fest.[4]