Downtown Jackson Partners Awarded Levitt Foundation Grant for Smith Park Concert Series

Downtown Jackson Partners (DJP) has been awarded up to $120,000 through the Levitt Foundation AMP Music Series, bringing free outdoor concerts to Smith Park for the next three years.

Out of 300 applicants nationwide, Jackson emerged as a top-voted finalist in the competitive grant program.

Grant Details

The $120,000 grant will be distributed over three years and requires a local match of $120,000, totaling $240,000. Beginning in 2026, Smith Park plans to host a series of free concerts designed to spark community engagement, elevate local culture, and activate public space in downtown Jackson.

The Levitt Foundation AMP Music Series requires all concerts to be free and open to the public, held outdoors in accessible public spaces. The model encourages attendees to bring blankets or chairs rather than providing fixed seating.

Impact on Local Music Economy

"This music helps build our music economy too. It helps sustain the musicians that are already here, but it also helps build and grow our reputation as a musical hub," said Liz Brister of Downtown Jackson Partners.

Jackson was the only finalist in Mississippi selected for the grant program.

"There's nothing better than having live music in downtown and hearing it resonate, bounce off the buildings and people out walking around," Brister said. "It brings that vibrancy to your city that we often travel and go out of town to experience. We're trying to give people that experience here in Jackson."

About the Program

The concert series will provide opportunities for local musicians while establishing Smith Park as a cultural gathering space for residents, workers, and visitors in downtown Jackson. Additional details about the 2026 concert schedule will be announced at a later date.