The American Pianists Association turned 30 this year, and, contrary to the ‘60s cry of "Don’t trust anyone over 30," the organization shows more signs of self- assurance than ever.

At its 30th-anniversary party Wednesday evening at the Omni Severin hotel Downtown, executive and artistic director Joel Harrison will announce a boost to the jazz side of its signature fellowship program. That program gives a cash award and career-development assistance to the pianist of the jury’s choice in each of two triennial contests.

“We’ve greatly expanded the Jazz Fellowship Awards format to follow the classical format,” Harrison said. “The (APA) board charged me to have parity between the classical and jazz sides” of the fellowship program. Since 2000, the Classical Fellowship Series has spread over most of the musical season, from September to April.

Spanning the 2010-11 season, there will be a new jazz “Premiere Series,” featuring community outreach concerts and juried performances, including sidemen (usually a bassist and drummer) of the competitors’ choice. The series will culminate with finals in April.

“We’ve got top pianists already,” Harrison said, speaking of both competitions, “but the cash award is not commensurate with the caliber we’re getting.”

Both prizes are $20,000 each, with two years of career-development assistance valued at $75,000.

Another change will be to declare an outright Classical winner, instead of naming two Fellows from six finalists. From 1981 through 1995, three Fellows were named from each classical group of contenders. The jazz competition, which dates from 1992, has always named one winner, who since 2001 has been dubbed the Cole Porter Fellow in Jazz.