FOR NONPROFITS
BRING FREE CONCERTS TO LIFE

 

Music is the universal language, with the power to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together. Across 100+ towns and cities in America, the Levitt network has shown what’s possible when live music is free, outdoors, and open to everyone: Parks, plazas, and downtowns become places of discovery and belonging. Artists of all genres gain new platforms. Local economies thrive and become more vibrant. And the social fabric of our communities grows stronger.

Our Free Outdoor Concerts Toolkit is packed with best practices, templates, and guidance on how to plan, program, promote, and launch free outdoor concerts where you live. To complement the resources in the Toolkit, there are several best practices of the Levitt Model that are key to creating positive social impact, including:

• • • • • Open lawn settings with no fixed seating
          • • • Picnic blankets and lawn chairs—and no front row or back row—lead to more spontaneous interactions and greater connections amongst audience members
        • Feature a wide array of music genres
          • • • By presenting a range of musical styles and genres, audiences can enjoy a variety of performances, discover new artists, and experience dynamic cultural programming
        • Always pay your artists
          • • • Musicians deserve to be paid fairly for their performances and should be compensated at competitive rates, as well as offered hospitality and space to sell their merch
        • Activate your lawn with vendors and nonprofits
          • • • Inviting local businesses and organizations to set up booths at your concerts provides opportunities for audiences to discover a range of community offerings, spotlighting your city’s local character and amplifying pride of place
        • Create a kid zone or host interactive activities
          • • • From oversized lawn games and community murals to bubble machines and face painting, interactive activities provide audience members of all ages more ways to have fun and connect with one another

 

If you’re inspired to build community through music, this is a great place to start!

 

Access Toolkit