The Trenton Downtown Association was selected as one of the three national recipients to win a new, $75,000 multi-year matching grant over the next three years to present the Levitt AMP Music Series.
“The Trenton Downtown Association (TDA) has shown tremendous impact in the community through Levitt AMP, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds through the power of free live music, while creating a meaningful community gathering space in the state capital’s historic downtown core. We’re proud to continue our support of this inspiring community,” Levitt Foundation executive director Sharon Yazowski said in a statement.
The TDA has been producing the summer series for the past four years. Its annual summer series of 10 free concerts have included national and regional performers, including celebrated Trenton pop and soul singer Sarah Dash, Trenton based rockers Molly Rhythm, and the Capital Philharmonic.
The series was originally launched as a Saturday night series at the New Jersey State House before moving to Thursday nights at Mill Hill Park in 2017.
In addition to support from the Levitt Foundation, presenting partners include the City of Trenton, New Jersey Manufacturers, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
TDA Executive Director Tom Gilmour says the three-year grant will provide new opportunities for the already successful project.
The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation is a private family foundation, founded in 1963 by clothing entrepreneurs Mortimer and Mimi Levitt to support the arts, culture, and education.
Using the acronym “AMP” for Amplify Music Places, Levitt awards are designed to empower “communities to transform underused public spaces into welcoming destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together and invigorates community life,” says Levitt promotional materials..
The Foundation funds both permanent Levitt venues and the annual Levitt AMP Grant Awards competition. The acronym “AMP” stands for Amplify Music Places.
The nonprofit TDA is dedicated to making the capital city a more competitive location for business owners and an engaging center for workers, residents, and visitors.
This article was originally published in the December 2018 Trenton Downtowner.
