American Pianists Association

The American Pianists Association 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 Pianists Awards, which switches focus from classical piano to jazz piano every two years. Valued at over $200,000, the awards of the competition are among the most lucrative piano prizes in the world. The Cole Porter Fellowship, awarded to the winner of the jazz competitions, is one of the greatest honors young American jazz musicians can receive. In non-competition years, the organization hosts a recital series called Grand Encounters, and from 2003 through 2008, the association produced Indy Jazz Fest.

History
The association was "born" in New York City in 1979 as the Beethoven Foundation, conceived by the Victor Borge, a Danish pianist; Tony Habig, of the piano manufacturer Kimball International; and Julius Bloom, former general manager of Carnegie Hall. Their original intent was to help identify and groom young American pianists to compete in international piano competitions by offering fellowships over a three-year period that included cash awards, concerts and media coverage. It changed its name to The American Pianists Association in 1989 and added a jazz competition in 1992.

In 1982, The Beethoven Foundation moved its national headquarters to Indianapolis, partly because of geographical ties by two of its founders, Habig and Borge. Now the executive offices are a part of the Arts Collaborative housed in Lilly Hall at Butler University. In 1989, the name was changed to the American Pianists Association to reflect a broader scope that included jazz pianists, and the mission also has broadened beyond the original purpose.

Competitions
Finalists for the American Pianists Awards compete through a series of adjudicated public recitals. The classical competition includes solo piano, chamber music, collaborative vocal, and concerto performances and ends with each finalist performing a piano concerto with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The jazz competition includes repertoire for solo piano, jazz trio, vocal jazz, and jazz orchestra.

Award recipients
The American Pianists Association website lists these winners: