2008 | Levitt Foundation hires executive director
Posted OnSeptember 2, 2021 byThe Levitt Foundation hires its first full-time employee, Sharon Yazowski, who is charged with professionalizing the organization, building its structure, and guiding the strategic growth of Levitt programs nationwide as its founding executive director.Read More…
2008 | Levitt Pavilion Arlington opens
Posted OnSeptember 2, 2021 byBuilt from the ground up across from City Hall, Levitt Pavilion Arlington quickly becomes the “crown jewel” of the city’s downtown revitalization efforts, attracting audiences from throughout the metro and sparking the creation of a new cultural district.Read More…
2008 | Levitt Shell Memphis opens
Posted OnSeptember 2, 2021 byLevitt Shell Memphis revitalizes the iconic yet dilapidated WPA-era Overton Park Band Shell where Elvis Presley made his professional debut into a restored destination for the community to once again enjoy music under the stars.Read More…
2007 | Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles opens
Posted OnSeptember 2, 2021 byBuilding upon the neighborhood’s diverse cultural assets, Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles sparks the transformation of the city’s historic MacArthur Park from a place notorious for criminal activity into a safe and welcoming destination for the community to come together.Read More…
2005 | Mortimer Levitt passes
Posted OnSeptember 2, 2021 byAt the age of 98, Mortimer Levitt passes away at his home in Westport, Connecticut.Read More…
2003 | Levitt Pavilion Pasadena opens
Posted OnSeptember 2, 2021 byAs the first venture philanthropy project of the Levitt Foundation, Levitt Pavilion Pasadena brings vitality back to Memorial Park, which for years prior was largely abandoned and a magnet for crime, through high-caliber music programming.Read More…
2002 | Launching a venture philanthropy model
Posted OnSeptember 2, 2021 byMortimer launches the Foundation’s venture philanthropy model of public-private partnerships with his daughter, Liz Levitt Hirsch, leading the charge to bring the power of free, live music to communities coast to coast.Read More…
1999 | The Custom Shop proceeds transferred to Foundation
Posted OnSeptember 2, 2021 byThe continuing success of the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, which evolved to present 50 free concerts each summer, inspires Mortimer to sell his company and transfer the proceeds into the Foundation, laying the groundwork for a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues.Read More…
1974 | Original Levitt Pavilion opens
Posted OnSeptember 2, 2021 byResidents of Westport, Connecticut, transform the site of the town dump into a new community gathering space to enjoy free outdoor concerts, named the Levitt Pavilion in honor of Mortimer and Mimi’s support of the project.Read More…
1966 | Levitt Foundation is founded
Posted OnSeptember 2, 1966 byThe Levitt Foundation is created by philanthropists Mortimer and Mimi Levitt to formalize their support for the arts, culture and education.Read More…