Levitt Music Series FAQ

The Levitt Music Series Grants are an exciting, multi-year matching grant opportunity bringing the joy of free, live music to towns and cities of all sizes across the country. The Levitt Foundation awards three-year matching grants of up to $40K per year, for a total grant award of up to $120K, to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits to present the Levitt Music Series, 7-10 free concerts that inject new life into public spaces and create vibrant community destinations. Reflecting our commitment that all Levitt projects be community-driven, the finalists are selected through public voting via online and text to vote. The Levitt Foundation then reviews the finalist proposals and selects the grant recipients.

The Levitt venue program is a long-term public/private partnership between the Levitt Foundation, the City, and a local dedicated Friends of Levitt nonprofit that manages, programs, and fundraises for the outdoor venue, named either Levitt Pavilion or Levitt Shell, year-round. Each Levitt venue presents 40–50 free concerts annually, as well as hosts a range of other community events, and is designed for large metro areas with populations of over 400,000 (due to financial sustainability and audience development considerations). The Levitt Music Series Grants are designed to meet the needs and capacity of towns and cities of all sizes, presenting 7-10 free concerts in underused public spaces. The Levitt Music Series Grants are open to nonprofits across sectors, including the arts, Main Street organizations, community development, affordable housing, colleges and universities, amongst others.

The Levitt Music Series Grants encompass three separate grant opportunities: The Levitt AMP Music Series, the Levitt VIBE Music Series, and the Levitt BLOC Music Series.

Since 2015, the Levitt Foundation has provided funding to over 50 communities across America through the Levitt AMP Music Series program, for small to mid-sized towns and cities within the United States and its territories with a population of up to 250,000 people. The acronym “AMP” speaks to the goals of the program: Amplify community pride and a city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of vibrant public Places.

In 2024, two additional music series grant programs were launched:

The Levitt VIBE Music Series program (standing for Vibrant Inclusive Beats for Everyone) activates underused public spaces in cities with populations greater than 250,000 people, creating community destinations through the joy of free concerts and inspiring pride of place in city neighborhoods where access to the arts may be limited.

The Levitt BLOC Music Series program (standing for Building Layers Of Community) supports nonprofits presenting concerts in multiple sites while spotlighting at least four different neighborhoods, broadening the reach of the joy of free, live music in towns and cities of any population size.

The Levitt Music Series Grants offer up to $120K total of dollar for dollar matching funds to nonprofit organizations over three years (up to $40K/year).

The Levitt Music Series Grants application for the 2026-2028 grant cycle opens May 1, 2025 and closes June 30, 2025. Following the close of the application period, all submissions will be reviewed and select proposals will move on to the public voting phase, which will take place in September. Members of the general public will vote via online or text to vote for their favorite proposals to determine the finalists. The Levitt Foundation will then review the finalists and determine which nonprofits will receive a Levitt Music Series Grant. Levitt Music Series Grant recipients will be announced in November, with Levitt Music Series taking place the following year between April 1 and October 31.

During the Levitt Music Series Grants webinar, the Levitt Foundation will present the goals of the Levitt Music Series Grants, eligibility criteria, online application process and key instructions, matching funds requirement, public voting process, and the contents and benefits of the Levitt Music Series Toolkit. At the end of the presentation, webinar participants will be able to ask questions through an online chat feature.

For the Levitt Music Series Grants, “[Your City]” is part of the formal name of the music series. Each Levitt Music Series includes the name of its town or city reflecting that each concert series is community-driven and celebrates its location. For example, if an organization located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin were to receive a Levitt VIBE Music Series grant, the concert series they present would be formally referred to as the Levitt VIBE Milwaukee Music Series.

Any nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, as recognized by the IRS, located within the United States and its territories can apply.

No, any nonprofit organization applying for a Levitt Music Series Grant must be located in the same town, city, or county where the proposed music series would take place.

If you are unable to find an answer to your question(s) in the Levitt Music Series FAQs, webinars, or website, you may email your question(s) to musicseriesgrants@levitt.org.

The Levitt Music Series Toolkit contains valuable resources for Levitt Music Series Grant recipients, such as: a sample entertainment contract; a sample press release; a hosted page on the Levitt website; eblast and social media templates; Levitt Music Series graphics; a list of talent managers and music agents from across the country; sample sponsorship packet; and a range of other resources to support various aspects of presenting a concert series, in addition to consultation with national program staff at the Levitt Foundation.

All applicants will be notified via email in August regarding whether they will advance to the public voting phase of the application process. In September, applicants that participated in public voting will be notified regarding whether they are a finalist, as determined by public voting. All finalists will be notified via email in November regarding whether they are a Levitt Music Series Grant recipient.

All proposed Levitt AMP Music Series must take place in small to mid-sized towns and cities of up to 250,000 people and may be located within a metropolitan area with a population of no more than 1,000,000. For towns or cities located within a metropolitan area with a population of more than 1,000,000, the town or city must be at least 20 miles from the anchor city of the metropolitan area.

All proposed Levitt VIBE Music Series must take place in cities with a population of more than 250,000 people.

There are no population requirements or restrictions for the Levitt BLOC Music Series.

Absolutely not! Towns and cities of all population sizes are encouraged to apply for a Levitt Music Series Grant. All applicants will need to encourage their communities and networks—including family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors—to vote online or text to vote for their proposed Levitt Music Series. The finalists will be then weighed equally, based on the quality of their application. Please refer to the Levitt Music Series About page to review the factors which will guide the Levitt Foundation in determining the Levitt Music Series Grant recipients. Compelling applications will reflect the priorities of the Levitt Music Series Grants, the core values of the Levitt Foundation and our mission of building community through music.

The Levitt Foundation will review each submitted Levitt Music Series Grant application prior to the public voting phase to ensure completion and that the eligibility criteria are met. Applications are then reviewed based on the Levitt Music Series Grants program criteria and the potential impact of the proposed concert series, including how proposals reflect the core values of the Levitt Foundation and our mission of building community through music. The most compelling proposals will be advanced to the public voting phase. Please refer to the Levitt Music Series About page to review what makes a compelling proposal.

All applicants that advance to the public voting phase will receive a mini grant of $1,500 and voting toolkit to support their efforts leading up to and throughout the public voting period. The toolkit will provide applicants with sample social media posts, a customized image and a press release that can be sent to your contacts asking them to vote for your proposal. Votes can be cast online and via text to vote. Be sure to rally your community and networks—including family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors—to vote for your proposed Levitt Music Series!

The public voting process taking place in September will determine the finalists, based on the applicants that receive the most votes during the public voting period. The Levitt Foundation will then review the applications of the finalists and determine the grant recipients based on the Levitt Music Series Grant program criteria, community support as displayed by public voting, and the potential impact of the proposed concert series. Please note: finalist ranking from the public voting period does not alone determine the grant recipients. Please refer to the Levitt Music Series About page to review what makes a compelling proposal and the factors that guide the Levitt Foundation in determining the Levitt Music Series Grant recipients, including proposals that reflect the core values of the Levitt Foundation and our mission of building community through music. The Levitt Music Series Grant recipients will be announced in November.

No. Only organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status are eligible to apply for a Levitt Music Series Grant. If your organization is a not-for-profit entity, you may qualify to be a partner organization as part of an application submitted by an organization that is already recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Yes. If you are a current grantee, please email musicseriesgrants@levitt.org for more information about the application process specific to current grantees.

Yes! Funders and sponsors which are providing contributions, both cash and in-kind, to help make your Levitt Music Series possible should absolutely be recognized for their meaningful support. Their logos can appear on your concert series marketing materials, including brochures, banners, flyers, t-shirts, etc., as well as online. Series supporters can also be recognized during pre- and post-concert stage announcements and through visibility created through customized on-site recognition opportunities.

No. Every Levitt Music Series Grant recipient must name their concert series “Levitt [AMP/ VIBE/BLOC] [Your City] Music Series.” No other organization or company name may appear in the series name. Presenting organizations and title sponsors can be recognized as follows: “Downtown Partnership presents the Levitt VIBE [Your City] Music Series” or “Levitt AMP [Your City] Music Series presented by XYZ Company.” Presenting organizations and title sponsors may not be an alcohol company or brand, including beer, wine, and liquor as well as any alcohol-focused stores or brands of any kind and may not be a cannabis company or brand, including any cannabis-related stores or products of any kind. Please note: your Levitt Music Series may only have one presenting sponsor, organization, or previous series name associated with the name of the concert series. For example, “XYZ Company presents the Levitt BLOC [Your City] Music Series supported by ABC, Inc.” and “Levitt AMP [Your City] Music Series presents Music on Main presented by ABC, Inc.” are not acceptable.

Yes. Every Levitt Music Series Grant recipient must name their entire concert series “Levitt [AMP/VIBE/BLOC] [Your City] Music Series.” However, the name of your current series may be combined with “Levitt Music Series” upon approval from the Levitt Foundation. For example, “Levitt AMP Denison Music Series presents Music on Main.” Please note: there may only be one sponsor, organization, previous series name, etc. associated with “presenting” recognition.

Yes. You may apply for a Levitt Music Series Grant to expand or enhance an already existing concert series such as increasing the number of concerts in the series, expanding the diversity of the music lineup, elevating the caliber of artists presented, and/or activating community engagement strategies. However, the entire concert series must be called the Levitt [AMP/VIBE/BLOC] [Your City] Music Series and must meet all of the Levitt Music Series eligibility criteria.

To expand the reach of free Levitt concerts by providing people who live beyond the areas that already have a Levitt Music Series or Levitt venue, the proposed concert series site cannot be located in the same town or city as an existing Levitt Music Series. If an existing Levitt Music Series is located in an applicant’s state or region, the proposed concert series site must be located a minimum of 50 miles or more from the existing Levitt Music Series. Existing Levitt Music Series may be found on our Locations page.

If an existing Levitt venue is, or will be, located in an applicant’s state or region, the proposed concert series site must be located a minimum of 75 miles or more from the existing or developing Levitt venue. Existing Levitt venues may be found on our Locations page. Cities where Levitt venues are in development include Houston, New Orleans, and San Jose. Please note: this radius exclusion does not apply to organizations located in Los Angeles, within the Los Angeles metro area, or Southern California.

You can choose whether you would like to apply separately or together, however it is important to note that an entity can only be affiliated with one Levitt Music Series application either as a primary organization or as a partner. For example, if your local chamber of commerce has agreed to partner with another organization in your community that is also applying, it cannot partner with your organization as well. Also, an organization cannot apply as a primary organization on one application and as a partner on another application.

No. An organization can only be affiliated with one Levitt Music Series application either as the primary organization or a partner. For example, if your local chamber of commerce has agreed to partner with another organization in your community that is also applying, it cannot partner with your organization as well. Also, an organization cannot apply as a primary organization on one application and as a partner on another application.

You should notify the Levitt Foundation immediately of any material changes that will alter your proposed Levitt Music Series as described in your submitted application. Failure to do so may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

Thanks to our funding partnerships with agencies in the states of Mississippi and Tennessee, there are special Levitt Music Series Grant opportunities for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in these states. For information, please visit the Mississippi & Levitt Partnership page and the Tennessee & Levitt Partnership page to see if your organization meets the criteria for these special grant opportunities and determine your interest in applying to these grant programs, which are supported in partnership with the Mississippi Arts Commission for nonprofit organizations based in Mississippi and the Tennessee Entertainment Commission for nonprofit organizations based in Tennessee.

Each year of the grant cycle Levitt Music Series Grant funds will be disbursed in three payments upon the Levitt Foundation’s receipt of specific deliverables as outlined in the Levitt Music Series Grant agreement: 25% will be disbursed 10 weeks prior to the launch of your Levitt Music Series; 50% will be disbursed six weeks before the launch of your concert series; and the final 25% will be disbursed upon completion of your concert series and submission of your final report (the report form will be provided by the Levitt Foundation).

No. Levitt Music Series Grant funds may not be used to purchase permanent equipment of any kind for your organization or for your partner(s).

No. Levitt Music Series Grant funds may not go towards a capital campaign or capital improvements of any kind. All funds received from the Levitt Foundation in support of your Levitt Music Series must be used to produce and promote the concert series and related pre- and post-concert audience activities.

Yes. You may prorate staff member salaries based on the number of hours anticipated that they will spend working on your Levitt Music Series and include that amount on the personnel (non-production) expense line item of your Levitt Music Series budget.

No. As part of your application, you are asked to indicate source, dollar amount, and level of commitment for all matching funds listed on the Levitt Music Series Budget Form. Level of commitment for each matching funds source should be indicated by selecting “secured,” “pending,” or “not yet approached” on the dropdown menu. Competitive applications will display high levels of commitment for matching funds. If you receive a Levitt Music Series Grant, all matching funds, whether cash or in-kind, must be secured prior to the first grant disbursement which is scheduled for 10 weeks prior to the launch of your Levitt Music Series.

Yes, the primary grantee organization may allocate funds from its operating budget to go towards your Levitt Music Series to meet the matching funds requirement.

Yes. The Levitt Music Series Grants are a dollar for dollar matching grant program, so the minimum amount an organization must raise in matching funds is an amount equal to the total Levitt Foundation grant award for your Levitt Music Series, of which half must be cash and the remaining amount of the matching funds requirement may be in-kind. For example, if your total grant award is $40,000, then your matching funds requirement is $40,000, of which a minimum of $20,000 must be raised in cash and the remaining $20,000 may be in-kind.

If your organization raises more than the matching funds requirement, any funds raised from grants, sponsorships and donations for the purpose of supporting your Levitt Music Series must be used towards producing your series, either during the current year or the following year of the grant cycle. Income earned on-site—including vendor fees, food and beverage sales, and individual donations received at the concerts—are not required to be used towards your Levitt Music Series. All funds raised and contributions received in support of your concert series, as well as all income earned on-site during your series, must be reported in your Final Finance Report (the report form will be provided by the Levitt Foundation).

The Levitt Music Series Grants are a dollar for dollar matching grant program and Levitt grant funds will only be awarded upon proof of matching funds. If your organization raises less than the matching funds requirement, then your grant award will be reduced accordingly. It is required that each Levitt Music Series present a minimum of 7 free concerts. If your organization is unable to present the minimum 7 concerts because it has not raised sufficient funds locally, your Levitt Music Series Grant funds will be forfeited.

In-kind contributions are goods and services that are donated to a project by individuals or entities other than the producing organization. The dollar value of these non-cash donations should be calculated at fair market value and included in your project budget as in-kind. Examples of in-kind contributions includes donated use of the public space, supplies, equipment, professional services, etc.

Volunteer hours can only be counted as in-kind if the hours are for a pro bono service that your organization would otherwise pay for with cash funds. For example, a graphic designer who is donating time to design Levitt Music Series flyers or a sound technician who is donating time to set up and run the sound system for each concert. Hourly rates should be determined at fair market value. It is anticipated that on-site volunteers will be part of producing your Levitt concert series—standard volunteer tasks such as distributing flyers, setting up an information booth, helping with post-concert clean-up, etc. are not considered pro bono services and therefore would not count towards in-kind matching funds.

If the entity that owns or manages the public space typically charges a fee for use of that space, and your organization will not be required to pay that fee, then the amount of that fee can count as an in-kind contribution. However, if the fee is typically waived for nonprofits that use the space, it would not count as an in-kind contribution.

No. All performers must be of professional status and compensated for their performance, even if they offer to donate their time and services. The Levitt Foundation is a musician-friendly organization and believes that artists should be compensated for their performances. Even though audience members are offered free access to high-quality shows, performers are always paid to perform on a Levitt stage.

Revenue generated from vendor fees or on-site vendor sales during your Levitt Music Series may count towards your cash matching funds requirement and should be indicated by selecting “pending” on the Levitt Music Series Budget Form of your application. However, it is important to note that revenue generated from vendor fees may be nominal and the total revenue generated from on-site vendor sales will be unknown until the completion of your concert series. Therefore, a budget that includes a significant portion of cash matching funds from a vendor source(s) will not be a competitive Levitt Music Series application.

No. Your organization cannot charge or suggest a specific dollar amount donation at Levitt Music Series concerts. Every audience member should feel welcome at a Levitt concert regardless of ability to pay. The opportunity to donate may be presented, however no one should be made to feel that they are obligated to give. Donations received on-site during your concert series may, though are not required to, be used towards your Levitt Music Series. All on-site donations received during your concert series must be reported in the Final Finance Report (the report form will be provided by the Levitt Foundation).

Yes. Your Levitt Music Series may have alcohol sponsors, however presenting or title sponsors of your concert series may not be an alcohol company or brand, including beer, wine, and liquor as well as any alcohol-focused stores or brands of any kind.

Yes. If cannabis is legal per your local and state laws and regulations, your Levitt Music Series may have cannabis sponsors, however presenting or title sponsors of your concert series may not be a cannabis company or brand, including any cannabis-related stores or products of any kind. Recognition of cannabis sponsors must be in compliance with your local and state laws and regulations.

Your organization can apply without a partner if you determine that you have the sufficient resources to produce a high-quality Levitt Music Series. Although not required, a partner organization(s) may bring more resources that can be leveraged to increase the overall impact of your concert series as well as broaden the reach of the series in your community through their network(s).

If your organization is partnering with another organization or individual to produce your Levitt Music Series, a letter of commitment from each partner is required; each letter should detail the partner’s role in producing your concert series—refer to the application instructions for additional information regarding format. Letters of support are optional; these letters can be from various individuals and organizations in your community, expressing how the Levitt Music Series will impact your town or city and why the free concert series is needed in your community.

A sponsor provides only cash or in-kind support for your Levitt Music Series. A partner is integrally involved in producing or promoting your Levitt Music Series and plays an active role in making the concert series a success, beyond providing cash or in-kind support. For example, a partner may coordinate outreach efforts to engage specific audiences, take the lead on booking talent, or help secure sponsorships.

Yes. A partner may be an individual who will be integrally involved in producing your Levitt Music Series as an independent contractor or consultant. This individual cannot be a staff member of either the primary organization or a partner organization.

Any not-for-profit entity qualifies to be a partner organization, such as municipalities, schools, universities, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, chambers of commerce, professional associations, etc. Your organization may also partner with an individual who will be integrally involved in producing your Levitt Music Series as an independent contractor or consultant, though not someone who is a staff member of either the primary organization or a partner organization.

No. Every concert which is part of your Levitt Music Series must be inclusive of all ages and family-friendly.

No. Your Levitt Music Series may take place any time of the day. It is recommended that your concert series be scheduled at a time that allows for the participation of as many community members as possible. You may also schedule your Levitt Music Series concerts at different times or days of the week to ensure you are including as many groups from your community as possible. Please note: if the concerts are scheduled at different times and days of the week during your Levitt Music Series, it is recommended that there be some consistency within the overall schedule to help build your audience and create continuity.

No. Your Levitt Music Series can be presented when weather is optimal in your area for outdoor concerts between April 1 and October 31. Please refer to the Levitt Music Series About page for music series scheduling options.

Frequency of concerts and the number of weeks of a Levitt Music Series is determined based on your selected scheduling option. Please refer to the Levitt Music Series About page for music series scheduling options, all of which ensure consistent activation of the concert series site while providing flexibility for a series schedule that maximizes local support and community participation.

Yes. Your proposed Levitt Music Series must have a minimum of 7-10 concerts, though you may choose to present more concerts as part of your series, if your resources allow. The entire concert series must be called the Levitt [AMP/VIBE/BLOC] [Your City] Music Series and it must meet all of the eligibility criteria. Please note: all concerts that are part of your Levitt Music Series must be free, appropriate for all ages, and feature professional, high-caliber entertainment.

Yes. Your Levitt Music Series may incorporate a festival or other event as part of your 7-10 concerts. However, the entire concert series must be called the Levitt [AMP/VIBE/BLOC] [Your City] Music Series and it must meet all of the eligibility criteria. Please note: all festivals and events that are part of your Levitt Music Series must be free, appropriate for all ages, and feature professional, high-caliber entertainment.

Yes. Concerts that are part of your Levitt Music Series may incorporate other forms of the performing arts and visual media, as long as music is the focal point of each concert.

No. Each Levitt Music Series must present a broad array of music genres throughout the series. Your concert series should be inclusive of a range of music tastes, providing the opportunity for your community to experience a variety of music performances and discover music genres that may not typically be presented in your area or region. To celebrate local traditions and history, opening acts may be programmed to highlight a specific music genre.

No. You should book your Levitt Music Series so that it includes a variety of local, regional and national acts featuring a range of music genres, from acclaimed, emerging talent to seasoned, award-winning artists. Your concert series should provide the opportunity for your community to experience artists beyond your local music scene. To celebrate the talent of your community, opening acts may be programmed to feature a number of local artists and bands.

No. You should book your Levitt Music Series so that it includes a variety of local, regional and national acts featuring a range of music genres, from acclaimed, emerging talent to seasoned, award-winning artists.

Yes. Although all Levitt headliners must be professional and include a variety of local, regional, and national talent, opening acts may be programmed to celebrate the talent of your community by featuring local and nonprofessional artists, bands, and performance groups.

No. The Levitt Foundation does not provide a list of talent for Levitt grant recipients to book for their Levitt Music Series. For ideas regarding professional, high-caliber entertainment to book for your concert series, you are encouraged to review the artist lineups of Levitt venues and current and past Levitt Music Series grantees. The Levitt Foundation does provide Levitt grant recipients with a list of talent managers and music agents from across the country who represent artists with performance fees ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. This list is provided as part of the Levitt Music Series Toolkit, however you are not required to book artists represented by these managers and agents. The Levitt Foundation also supports music series grantees by providing access to an artist routing & booking consultant who presents regular training sessions on booking artists, assists with coordinating artist routing amongst Levitt sites, and provides overall guidance for finding talent and curating artist lineups for your concert series.

Each Levitt grant recipient is responsible for booking all talent for their own Levitt Music Series. As part of the Levitt Music Series Toolkit, Levitt grant recipients will receive a list of talent managers and music agents from across the country who represent artists with performance fees ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. The Levitt Foundation also supports music series grantees by providing access to an artist routing & booking consultant who presents regular training sessions on booking artists, assists with coordinating artist routing amongst Levitt sites, and provides overall guidance for finding talent and curating artist lineups for your concert series.

No. In the application, you are asked to provide information about how you will program your Levitt Music Series according to Levitt programming guidelines. You are encouraged to include certain artists and music genres that you plan to make part of your concert series, though a complete artist roster is not required as part of your application. Levitt grant recipients must submit their complete artist roster to the Levitt Foundation for approval approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their Levitt Music Series.

The Levitt Foundation will provide Levitt grant recipients with technical assistance and resources including the Levitt Music Series Toolkit. The toolkit will include a list of talent managers and music agents from across the country who represent artists with performance fees ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. If your organization does not have prior experience with booking high-caliber artists, it is highly recommended that you partner with an organization or individual who does. For ideas regarding professional, high-caliber entertainment to book for your concert series, you are encouraged to review the artist lineups of Levitt venues and current and past Levitt Music Series grantees. The Levitt Foundation also supports music series grantees by providing access to an artist routing & booking consultant who presents regular training sessions on booking artists, assists with coordinating artist routing amongst Levitt sites, and provides overall guidance for finding talent and curating artist lineups for your concert series.

Professional, high-caliber entertainment is an artist or band who is an established musician, or group of musicians, who creates original music that is sold to the public, has a website or similar online presence, has representation such as a manager or agent, and regularly performs for the public in a variety of venues.

Yes. It is encouraged that vendors be present during your Levitt Music Series concerts. Food and beverage vendors and local artisans all contribute to a festive atmosphere, making the Levitt Music Series concerts even more enjoyable for your audience. While on-site vendors are encouraged, audiences should always have the option to bring their own outside food and non-alcoholic beverages to the concerts.

Yes. As long as your organization is in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to alcohol consumption and sales, it is at your discretion whether beer and wine may be permitted at your Levitt Music Series concerts.

The Levitt Foundation considers a public site to be an outdoor location, owned by a public entity—usually a municipality or county—that is open to the public on a daily basis and only closed for limited, if any, nighttime hours.

Yes. Your Levitt Music Series may take place on private property or a college campus, as long as the space is outdoors and open to all community members.

A privately-owned site may be considered as the location for your Levitt Music Series if it is open to the public on a daily basis and only closed for limited, if any, nighttime hours. In the application, you should describe why this proposed site is the best location for your Levitt Music Series.

If it is raining or there is threatening weather when a Levitt Music Series concert is scheduled to take place, you may move the concert to an indoor location. It is recommended that an alternate indoor location be secured prior to the launch of your Levitt Music Series to prevent canceling a concert due to inclement weather, as scheduled artists still receive their payment in the event of inclement weather.

No. All Levitt Music Series must take place outdoors. Outdoor concerts in open lawn settings foster social interactions among people of all ages and backgrounds, which is central to the Levitt Foundation’s mission of strengthening the social fabric of America. If it is raining or there is threatening weather when a Levitt Music Series concert is scheduled to take place, you may move the concert to an indoor location, as scheduled artists still receive their payment in the event of inclement weather.

A lawn-like setting is an open space that does not have permanent or fixed seating. While a space may have minimal seating such as park benches along pathways, the majority of the space must be open and conducive to people sitting on picnic blankets and lawn chairs, so that they may easily interact with one another and have a “360” experience, meaning they are able to connect with those in front of, behind, and to each side of where they are sitting. A lawn-like setting allows people to get up and dance freely and children to run freely. While some communities may not have an open and expansive lawn available for their Levitt Music Series, a “360” audience experience must be created. A proposed space that only allows for standing and does not allow people to comfortably sit on picnic blankets and lawn chairs will not be a competitive Levitt Music Series Grant application.

Yes. A tiered audience seating area may be considered if the area is a lawn-like setting, which allows for picnic blankets and lawn chairs, a “360” audience experience, meaning they are able to connect with those in front of, behind, and to each side of where they are sitting, and the ability for people to get up and dance freely and children to run freely. If you are unsure if your site meets the eligibility criteria, you may send a photo of the proposed site to musicseriesgrants@levitt.org and the Levitt Foundation will respond letting you know whether the site is eligible.