Ilona Copen Award The Ilona Copen Award is an honorary award, celebrating the significant contributions to the ballet field by an individual, company or institution who or which provides young ballet dancers with: the finest optimal educational, mentoring and cultural experiences; inspiration and encouragement to advance their careers to their fullest potential, raising their level of artistry and stimulating their growth as individual human beings.The first Ilona Copen Award was presented at the NYIBC Gala on March 22, 2011. Virginia Johnson, Artistic Director of Dance Theatre of Harlem, presented the award to Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux of North Carolina Dance Theatre.
	Igor Youskevitch Award In 1996, American Ballet Theatreand NYIBC created an award to commemorate the life and work of NYIBC’s First Artistic Director, Igor Youskevitch. The first Igor Youskevitch Award, a one year contract to an NYIBC participant of American Ballet Theatre’s choosing, was offered that same year. The award is offered or withheld at the discretion of American Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director, Kevin McKenzie.
	Arpino Award In the spring of 2004, NYIBC and Joffrey Balletmemorialized an agreement under which Joffrey Ballet would offer a one-year contract to an NYIBC participant. The award is offered or withheld at the discretion of Joffrey Ballet’s Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater. The award was named the Arpino Award in honor of Mr. Gerald Arpino, acclaimed choreographer, dancer and Co-Founder of Joffrey Ballet.

E. Virginia Williams Award 
In the fall of 2012, NYIBC and Boston Ballet made an agreement under which Boston Ballet will offer a one-year contract to its second company, Boston Ballet II, to an NYIBC participant. The award, the E. Virginia Williams Award, will be offered or withheld at the discretion of Boston Ballet’s Artistic Director, Mikko Nissinen. Founder of Boston Ballet, Ms. Williams played a significant role in the development of American ballet with a commitment to dance performance and education of the highest caliber.