South Carolina lands first Levitt AMP grant

Koger Center plans ambitious 30-concert series through 2028

Concert attendees at the Koger Center’s Plaza Stage. Provided photo by Caitlyn Schumacher.

A big multi-year grant is making it possible for Columbia’s Koger Center for the Arts to present a free concert series on its outdoor Plaza Stage starting in 2026.

The 2025 Governor’s Award recipient is now also the recipient of South Carolina’s first Levitt AMP Music Series grant. The multi-year Levitt AMP grants support free, live music in towns and cities with a population of up to 250,000. 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.

Funded by the Levitt Foundation—a national social impact funder supporting the largest free outdoor concert series in America—the program brings free, live music to towns and cities across the country. Each Levitt Music Series location presents 7-10 free outdoor concerts per year, injecting new life into underused public spaces and creating joyous, welcoming community destinations.

The Koger Center is planning to present 30 free concerts, 10 each in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The concert series will take place twice a year in months normally known for more bearable temperatures—May, with four concerts, and six concerts split between September and October.

Reflecting the Levitt Foundation’s commitment that all Levitt projects be community-driven, the 2026/2028 grant recipients were selected following a public voting period and comprehensive review process. Levitt Music Series Grants encompass several grant opportunities, including the Levitt AMP program that the Koger Center will be presenting as the Levitt AMP Columbia Music Series.

Charleston-based The Ramblers play their southern country rock sounds on the Plaza Stage. Provided photo by Jay Overbay.

“The Koger Center for the Arts is beyond excited that Columbia has been chosen as the first city in South Carolina to be recognized and funded by a Levitt Music Series Grant and we are thankful to the community and individuals that supported our efforts and took the time to vote for us. We look forward to expanding our free outdoor concert series through this grant to include spring and fall concerts. As Columbia’s center for the arts, we want everyone to feel welcome and hope to bring the whole community together through music both inside and outside,” Executive Director Nate Terracio said.

Combining 34 new and 32 returning grantees, the Levitt Foundation will award over $7 million dollars over the next three years to nonprofits serving towns and cities across the U.S. as part of the Levitt Music Series Grants. Levitt Music Series reach a broad range of communities across America, presenting seasoned, award-winning artists to acclaimed, emerging talent in a wide array of music genres, spanning pop, rock, folk, World music, country, jazz, Latin, children’s shows, blues, and more.

“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,” Levitt Foundation President & CEO Sharon Yazowski said. “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 the Koger Center for the Arts as a new grantee and watch as the Levitt AMP Columbia Music Series plays a meaningful role in strengthening the social fabric, creating economic vitality, and adding to the cultural vibrancy of your community.”