FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vote for Utica to win a $25,000 Levitt AMP Music Series Grant

Utica, NY, November 7, 2015 - Utica is one of 40 cities in 22 states requesting community support, in the form of online votes, to receive one of fifteen $25,000 matching grants for a 10-week Levitt AMP Music Concert Series.

The Rust to Green (R2G) Urban Studio, as the required non-profit partner organization of the City, is proposing ten free live music concerts to run every Monday evening, from June 6 – August 8, on the Great Lawn of Rutger Park, in the City’s historic district. The grant funding, which must be matched with in-kind and other funding, will be used to feature a musically diverse lineup of high caliber entertainment.

However, to make it happen, Utica needs strong community support. Only the “Top 25” cities with the most votes, by November 30, will make it to the next level to be considered for the “Top 15” prizes of $25,000.

“Those who remember Utica Monday Nite and Good Old Summertime know it’s time to bring music back to the heart of the City,” said Mayor Robert Palmieri.   “With that in mind, I am convinced that our residents, businesses and visitors will help us ‘amplify’ our pride, uniqueness and authenticity by voting for Utica.” he added.

Members of the R2G Downtown Committee and other project partners including the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica, Utica Monday Nite, and the Midtown Utica Community Center report that the voting process is easy and quick:

1. Go online to https://grant.levittamp.org/

2. Scroll down and click the state of "New York" on the map

3. Click “VOTE NOW” on the Utica block

(you will be asked to sign up and confirm a voting account through the site)

Only one vote is allowed per person, and votes have to be in by November 30.

The Levitt AMP Grant Awards is a matching grant program made possible by Levitt Pavilions, a national nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of America through the power of free, live music. While Levitt Pavilions have permanent outdoor music venues, each presenting 50+ free concerts annually to large cities with populations of over 400,000, the Levitt AMP Music Series is focused on bringing the joy of free, live music to small and mid-sized towns and cities across the country. The Levitt AMP Music Series, a pioneer in the creative place making movement brings activity to people of all ages and backgrounds, transforming neglected public spaces into thriving community destinations, fitting with the CCE Rust 2 Green mission.

For 2016, grants will be awarded to 15 U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, or municipalities partnering with a nonprofit, serving towns and cities with populations of up to 400,000. Each grantee will receive up to $25K in matching funds to present the Levitt AMP Music Series, a minimum of 10 free outdoor concerts presented over 10 consecutive weeks during 2016.

Contact: Caroline Williams
Cornell Cooperative Extension
R2G Utica - CCE Urban Studio
jcw28@cornell.edu
325-404-6604