This July, Levitt Family Foundation President & CEO Sharon Yazowski, and Levitt Shell Sioux Falls President & CEO Nancy Halverson visited the South Dakota Public Broadcasting studio to chat with Lori Walsh, host of the In the Moment podcast.

Their conversation highlighted the power of free live music in Sioux Falls and in Levitt communities across the country, as well as the history of the Levitt family and the Foundation’s spend down journey.

“When Sharon first visited, this was a brown field,” said Halverson, recalling the downtown site in Sioux Falls before the Levitt Shell was built. “And what has happened here has been incredible. [Levitt Shell Sioux Falls] has basically revitalized this whole end of our community, and we’re seeing more and more investment now. All of this is happening, I like to say, because music started here. When we talk about the power of the arts, this is definitely a great case study.”

“The ripple effect [of a Levitt music series] to strengthen the social fabric of your community builds social capital, social resiliency, community trust, and it also creates economic vitality,” said Yazowksi. “Social impact and economic impact are intricately connected.”

Listen to the full podcast here: “How the Levitt Foundation uses an open lawn, activated by music, to create social bridging and resilience,” In the Moment.