Young Concert Artists is a New York City-based non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and promoting the careers of talented young classical musicians from all over the world. The competition, founded in 1961, allows artists from all over the world to compete as individuals or in a chamber group, such as a string quartet. The number of winners varies from year to year, as there is no specified limit to the number of participants who can win. Conductor James Levine was awarded the Lotus Award ("for inspiration to young musicians") from Young Concert Artists.