Wayne Center for the Arts secures Levitt grant to grow free 'Wednesdays on Walnut' concerts

Wayne Center for the Arts announced it has been awarded a Levitt Music Series Grant, a national program of the Levitt Foundation that supports the creation of free, outdoor concert series in communities across the United States. WCA was selected following a national public voting period and comprehensive review process, an achievement made possible by the support of Wayne County residents.

Thanks to that community response, WCA will receive multi-year matching funds to expand its outdoor concert series, Wednesdays on Walnut, presenting seven free concerts per summer in 2026, 2027 and 2028 on the lawn of its historic Walnut Street School building.

Wednesdays on Walnut debuted in 2025 with support from the Ohio Arts Council’s ArtsNEXT program, bringing music ranging from zydeco and reggae to soul and classic rock. Attendance grew rapidly, with more than 350 people at the final concert of the pilot season.

“Last summer’s inaugural summer concert series quickly became a testament to all the things that make our community extraordinary," WCA Executive Director Sara Brink said. "It was fantastic to see people coming together and filling downtown Wooster with music, joy and connection. We’re so grateful for the chance to continue building on that momentum and keep creating a space where our community can come together.”

The Levitt Music Series aligns closely with WCA’s mission to enrich lives through the arts and its long-term vision of supporting the revitalization of the South of Liberty neighborhood.

"This award is an exciting milestone for our community, and we applaud the Wayne Center for the Arts for securing it with such outstanding work,” Wooster Mayor Bob Reynolds said. “For the next three years, free summer concerts will energize downtown Wooster, drawing in new visitors and bringing people together. We’re truly honored to support an initiative that celebrates the welcoming spirit of our city."

Through diverse programming the series will expand access to cultural experiences for families, seniors, youth and others who may face barriers to attending live events. WCA plans to expand its musical offerings to include genres like reggae, funk, indie rock, Latin, jazz fusion and more.

The concert site, once the playground of the Walnut Street School, holds a meaningful place in the community’s history. Over time it became underused due to shifting leadership, funding constraints and broader challenges within the neighborhood. Today, with renewed energy and partnerships, WCA is restoring the lawn as a gathering place.

Working alongside Main Street Wooster and the City of Wooster, WCA is championing efforts to improve lighting, walkability and safety in the surrounding area, improvements especially important to elderly and disabled residents in the area. Local residents have said free concerts and opportunities to gather help strengthen quality of life, create unity and inspire neighborhood vitality.

As a new grantee, WCA joins a national network of Levitt Music Series locations presenting diverse musical genres and activating public green spaces in cities and towns across America. The Levitt Foundation will award over $7 million across 2026-28 to communities committed to building connection, inclusion and cultural vibrancy through free live music.

“Since the Levitt AMP Music Series began 10 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 Foundation is excited to welcome Wayne Center for the Arts as a new grantee and watch as the Levitt AMP Wooster Music Series plays a meaningful role in strengthening the social fabric, creating economic vitality and adding to the cultural vibrancy of your community.”