2023 Award Recipient, Innovative

Past Recipients:

• Arts Council of Indianapolis (2022)

• Michael O’Brien (2021)

• Dr. Kris Beckwith (2020)

• William H. Marshall (2019)

• Marianne Tobias (2018)

• K. Philip Watts (2017)

Award History

The Indianapolis School of Ballet began a new legacy of appreciation in 2017 with the creation of the Karl R. Zimmer, Jr. Patron of the Year Award.

 This award will annually recognize an outstanding individual whose love of ballet and support of the ISB echo those of the founding board member Zimmer, Jr., and his wife, Barbara. The Zimmers were important community members through their extensive volunteer work, and worked tirelessly to make Indianapolis a place where culture and the arts could thrive.

 Among the numerous boards Mr. Zimmer has served on, he was a counselor, an advocate and a staunch supporter of all who had a vision and a passion for the arts, and his generous help has allowed many gifted artists to achieve their creative aspirations.

 The late Mr. Zimmer was dedicated to ballet and dance education, and his support was instrumental in establishing the Indianapolis School of Ballet, where he served as the first Board Chair from 2006 to 2009. He continued to support the school as Board Chair Emeritus.

 “Mr. Zimmer remains the guardian angel of Indianapolis Ballet,” said Indianapolis School of Ballet founding Artistic Director Victoria Lyras.