Wayne Center for the Arts named finalist for Levitt Music Series Grant

Wayne Center for the Arts has been named a finalist for the Levitt Music Series Grant, a national program of the Levitt Foundation that helps communities transform underused public spaces into gathering places through the power of free, live music.

But winning this grant depends on the community stepping up and voting. Public support through online and text votes will be a key factor in the Levitt Foundation’s final decision, so every vote counts.

If enough votes are cast, WCA will advance to the final round and be eligible to expand its free outdoor summer music series, Wednesdays on Walnut, which launched in 2025 with great success.

The inaugural season brought zydeco, reggae, soul and classic rock to the WCA lawn, with audiences growing each month and more than 350 people attending the final concert of the summer.

“When you see families dancing, neighbors relaxing on their porches and friends reconnecting on the lawn, you realize it’s about more than a concert. It’s about building community,” said Robin Carlton, WCA board member and fundraising chair. “Wednesdays on Walnut is exactly what we envisioned. I love it for Wooster.”

The 2025 pilot season was supported by the Ohio Arts Council’s ArtsNEXT grant program, but that funding was for one year only. To ensure the series’ future, WCA applied for the Levitt Music Series Grant and is now one step closer to securing multi-year support with help from the community.

For the 2026-28 grant cycle, WCA could receive funding for seven free concerts per summer, held on its historic Walnut Street School lawn.

“It’s been wonderful to see life return to our lawn,” said Tiffany Leeper, development manager at WCA. “The concerts aren’t just about the music. It’s about celebrating our neighborhood. We love seeing residents of Townview Terrace and nearby homes making the short walk over or enjoying live music right outside their doors. That sense of pride and connection is exactly what this grant is about.”

Reflecting the Levitt Foundation’s mission of community-driven programming, the next round of the grant process relies on public voting. The number of online and text votes WCA receives will be a key factor in the Levitt Foundation’s final decision, announced this November.

Public voting opens Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. and ends Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.

Vote by texting WOOSTER to 877-409-5525 or visiting www.levitt.org/vote.