2011
Rick Jacobson - Arts Access
TU Dance - Initiative
Kevin Smith - Commitment
Ross Sutter- Education
Ta-Coumba T. Aiken - Vision
2010
Amy Stoller Stearns and the Historic Holmes Theatre/DLCCC - Arts Access (Inaugural)
Kathy Mouacheupao and the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent (CHAT) - Initiative
Willie Murphy - Commitment
Anton Treuer - Education
Michelle Hensley and Ten Thousand Things Theater - Vision
2009
VSA arts of Minnesota - Vision
Bedlam Theatre - Initiative
Myron Johnson - Commitment
T. Mychael Rambo - Education
2008
Mixed Blood Theatre - Vision
Bruce Coppock - Initiative
Wendy Lehr - Commitment
St. Francis Music Center - Education
2007
Rick Shiomi - Vision
Michael Burgraff - Initiative
Al Milgrom - Commitment
Project SUCCESS - Education
2006
Joe Dowling - Vision
Hal Cropp - Initiative
Dale Schatzlein - Commitment (posthumously)
Arts for Academic Achievement - Education
2005
Seitu Jones - Vision
Chris Osgood - Initiative
Joan Mondale - Commitment
SteppingStone Theatre - Education
2004
Graywolf Press - Vision
Gary Hines - Initiative
Leigh Kamman - Commitment
Park Square Theatre - Education
2003
Dale Warland - Vision
BJ Shigaki/Rochester Arts Center - Initiative
Bruce Carlson - Commitment
Sheila Livingston - Education
2002
KFAI Fresh Air Radio - Vision
Textile Center of Minnesota - Initiative
Lawrence M. Redmond and Minnesota Citizens for the Arts - Commitment
MacPhail Center for the Arts - Education
2001
Minnesota Fringe Festival - Vision
Maya Lopez-Santamaria - Initiative
Philip Brunelle - Commitment
Pillsbury House Theatre's Chicago Avenue Project - Education
2000
Wing Young Huie - Vision
The Loft Literary Center - Initiative
Sage and John Cowles, Jr. - Commitment
Linwood A+ Elementary School - Education
1999
Michael Robins and Bonnie Morris - Vision
Rick Kvam - Initiative
George Morrison - Commitment
Pamela Paulson - Education
Carl B. Drake, Jr. - Distinguished (Special Award in 1999)
1998
Armando Gutierrez - Vision
Marj Hawkins - Initiative
Sen. Dick Cohen - Commitment
St. Paul Central Touring Theatre Program - Education
1997
Theatre de la Jeune Lune - Vision
Grand Marais Art Colony - Initiative
Elizabeth W. Musser - Commitment
John Caddy - Education
1996
Dorit Cypis for Kulture Klub - Vision
Patrick's Cabaret - Initiative
Judson Bemis Sr. - Commitment
Minnesota Rural Arts Initiative- A Program of COMPAS (Community Programs in the Arts) - Education (inaugural)
1995
John R. Killacky - Vision
Intermedia Arts - Initiative
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre - Commitment
1994
Asian American Renaissance - Vision
Rebecca Petersen - Initiative
Lou Bellamy - Commitment
1993
John Davis - Vision
Native Arts Circle - Initiative
Topsy Simonson - Commitment
1992 (Inaugural)
Artspace Projects, Inc. - Vision
The Jungle Theater - Initiative
Bruce Dayton - Commitment