| 2023 | Bryan Ballinger, Christy Burgess, D. Del Reverda-Jennings, Jim Smoak, Shaun Dingwerth and the Richmond Art Museum |
| 2020/1 | Jim Bodenmiller, Michael Cleveland, Hurley Goodall, John Green, Harrison Center for the Arts, Robert and Barbara Stevens, Amy Oelsner (Emerging Artist Award) |
| 2018 | Gayle and the late Bill Cook, Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University, Dr. F. Robert Sabol, Rami Sadek and LangLab, Twyla Tharp, and Addison Agen (Emerging Artist Award) |
| 2015 | Dance Kaleidoscope, Robert & Ellen Haan, Jon Leslie "Wes" Montgomery, Jim Davis, American Pianists Association, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds |
| 2013 | Christel DeHaan, Cynthia Hartshorn, John Hiatt, Mayor Mark Kruzan, Sydney Pollack, and Traditional Arts Indiana |
| 2011 | The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, June Edwards, Mark Fauser, Susann McDonald, Sylvia McNair, Alexander Toradze |
| 2009 | Angela Brown; Ball Brothers Foundation and George and Frances Ball Foundation; International Violin Competition of Indianapolis; Sweetwater Sound, Inc.; Vectren Corporation |
| 2007 | Henry Leck and the Indianapolis Children's Choir, Menahem Pressler, Fischoff National Chamber Music Association, Lori Efroymson-Aguilera, Jamey Aebersold, The City of Jasper |
| 2005 | Peter and David Turnley, Murcie Poplar Lavender, Richard Ford, Tim & Avi’s Salvage Store, and Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne |
| 2003 | Joshua Bell, Eugene and Marilyn Glick, Old National Bancorp., the City of Rising Sun, Eric Rogers and ArtsPlace, Inc., and the late Governor Frank O'Bannon and Judy O'Bannon |
| 2001 | Avery Brooks, John and Virginia Schroeder, Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, VSA arts of Indiana, Mayor Duane W. Dedelow, Jr. and the City of Hammond |
| 1999 | Larry Leggett, Larry Hurt, George Daugherty, Cinergy, and Bill Caddell & Friends of the Frankfort Public Library |
| 1997 | Kathy Matter, Maestro Raymond Leppard, Dr. R. Keith Michael, Ameritech Indiana, and the Foundation for Arts and Music in Education (FAME) |
| 1995 | Janos Starker, Thomas Schorgl, Angelo Pizzo, Norbert Neuss, John David Lutz, the Indianapolis Recorder, the City of Fort Wayne, and First Source Corp. |
| 1993 | Karl Malden, Crystal Gayle, Etheridge Knight, Rita Eykamp, Alma Eikerman, Josie Orr, Arts Indiana Magazine, the City of Columbus, and NIPSCO Industries |
| 1991 | The Hampton Family, David Anspaugh, David Baker, Janet and G. Irving Latz II, the City of Elkhart, GTE North - Indiana |
| 1989 | J.J. Johnson, Mark Hampton, Dr. Charles Webb, Harrison Eiteljorg, the City of Evansville, and Eli Lilly & Co. |
| 1987 | Helene Foellinger, John Nelson, William Hopper, the City of Jasper, Krannert Charitable Trust, and Cummins Engine Co. |
| 1985 | Margaret Harshaw, Jared Carter, Steve Tesich, Dr. Thomas Bergin, and Lincoln National Corp. |
| 1983 | Mildred Compton, Ron Glass, Cole Porter, Josef Gingold, David Rubins, Michael Graves, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art |
| 1981 | Gretchen Cryer, J. Irwin and Xenia Miller, Harry Mark Petrakis, Rudy Pozzatti, Robert Wise, George Irving Shirley, and the Honorable John Brademas |
| 1979 | Bill Blass, Alfred Bertram Guthrie, Jr., Margaret Hillis, Emily Kimbrough, Ruth Page, Dr. James McCracken, David Smith |
| 1977 | Jessamyn McPherson-West, Jane Blaffer Owen, Nathaniel Owings, and Dr. Herman B Wells |
| 1975 | Hoagland Carmichael, John Eaton, Eli Lilly, Janet Flanner, George Rickey, Herbert Seltz, and Dr. Izler Solomon |
| 1973 | Robert Indiana, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Dr. Alice Nichols, and Dr. Wilfred Bain |
