Downtown Jackson Partners has been awarded a $40,000 matching grant, renewable for two years, or up to $120,000, to present a free, live music series at historic Smith Park in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The process started with 300 applicants nationwide, 100 semi-finalists, 50 finalists and ultimately 26 nonprofit awardees. It included an online public voting phase last September, in which Jackson emerged as number eight in number of votes received.
“This proves that we’re entering a new era in downtown Jackson. Votes for the Capital City from everyday citizens and letters of support from Mississippi leaders helped pull us across the finish line,” said Liz Brister, President of Downtown Jackson Partners. “We received recommendation letters from Mayor John Horhn, Gov. Tate Reeves, Reps. Bennie Thompson and Michael Guest, and our own board member, entrepreneur Malcolm White.
“We’re grateful to them all, and excited about what this will mean for downtown Jackson and every Mississippian who enjoys live music!”
Also, through a new partnership with the Mississippi Arts Commission that combines a public art grant with a Levitt Music Series grant, two additional Levitt AMP grantees were selected from Mississippi: Levitt AMP Moss Point presented by Walter Anderson Museum of Art and Levitt AMP Vicksburg presented by Heritage Guild of Vicksburg Warren County.
“We’re really excited that in addition to the grantees that Levitt is partnering with the Arts Commission on, they’re also providing a grant to Jackson, which is a perfect moment to harness a lot of the energy and revitalization happening in our capital city that will only send shockwaves of impact and positivity across our state,” said David Lewis, Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission.
Levitt AMP grants support free, live music in towns and cities with a population of up to 250,000. Each Levitt Music Series location presents seven to 10 free outdoor concerts per year, injecting new life into underused public spaces and creating joyous, welcoming community destinations.
“Since the Levitt AMP Music Series began ten years ago in 2015, we’ve seen dynamic social and economic impact as nonprofits across the nation activate public spaces through the power and joy of free, live music,” said Sharon Yazowski, President and CEO of the Levitt Foundation. “Levitt concert series are community destinations, brought to life when friends, families, and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together for a shared experience. The Levitt AMP Jackson Music Series will play a meaningful role in strengthening the social fabric, creating economic vitality, and adding to the cultural vibrancy of Mississippi’s capital city.”
Levitt AMP concert series reflect the three goals of the Levitt AMP program: Amplify community pride and a city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of inclusive and vibrant public Places.
About Downtown Jackson Partners
Downtown Jackson Partners is a 501(C)(4) nonprofit organization that works to enhance the quality of life for those who live, work, and play in downtown Jackson, Mississippi. They help promote both new and established businesses, organizations, and events that fall within the downtown district. Downtown Jackson Partners positions themselves to be a major resource for developers in an advisory role and takes the lead on public improvement projects in the district. To learn more, follow them on Facebook or Instagram @downtownjacksonpartners or visit them online at downtown-jackson.com.
About the Levitt Foundation
The Levitt Foundation is a private family foundation that exists to strengthen the social fabric of America. We support changemakers and nonprofits across the country to activate underused public spaces through free outdoor concerts, creating welcoming and inclusive destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together, fosters belonging and social connections, creates economic opportunity, and invigorates community life. In addition to Levitt Music Series Grants, the Foundation supports Levitt venues—state-of-the-art outdoor performance venues, located in large metro areas, managed and programmed by independent Friends of Levitt nonprofits that present 40-50 free concerts per year. Levitt venues and music series locations attract people of all ages and backgrounds and reflect the character of their town or city, while benefitting from the framework and best practices of the Levitt program.
In 2026, with support from the Levitt Foundation, the national Levitt network of Levitt venues, Levitt Music Series locations, and music festival grantees is collectively presenting over 900 free concerts in 90+ towns and cities across the country, with a total audience of over a million people. In addition to funding free concerts, the Levitt Foundation supports advancing vibrant music ecosystems through research and field-building partnerships. www.levitt.org
