BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A new grant for Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks will let ArtsQuest add more interactive experiences such as meet-and-greets with movie characters, and help book "higher-caliber" artists for the summer concert series, officials said.
The National Endowment for the Arts awarded Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks a $10,000 Challenge America award — among 272 Challenge America grants nationwide this year totaling $2.72 million.
“It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including ArtsQuest’s Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks.”NEA Chairwoman Maria Rosario Jackson
“The NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the efforts of organizations and artists that help to shape our country’s vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation,” NEA Chairwoman Maria Rosario Jackson said.
“It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including ArtsQuest’s Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks.”
The money will be used for "additional interactive programming elements for the free family movie series," ArtsQuest Communications Director Jennifer LoConte said.
"For example, expanding on teaching artists and crafts as well as character actors to provide meet and greets for select movies."
The money also will be used for "new opportunities to broaden our booking criteria to consider additional high caliber artists in our budget range who then perform free for our community," LoConte said.
'Bringing people together'
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks for the past 15 years has presented a free summer concerts series that offers more than 50 concerts a year that include artists who normally perform paid-ticket shows.
The Levitt also presents a free Family Movie Series every summer.
“We believe that the arts serve as a powerful connector of bringing people together and supporting culture and community while simultaneously stimulating the economy,"Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Executive Director Shayna Super
"These shows are always free and any additional funding, through membership, sponsorship, or grants allows us to continue attracting high-caliber talent as their pricing continues to climb," LoConte said.
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Executive Director Shayna Super said she was "honored to have been selected as a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America award.”
“We believe that the arts serve as a powerful connector of bringing people together and supporting culture and community while simultaneously stimulating the economy," Super said.
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks is part of a national network of communities that offer free, live music in outdoor public spaces.
