State College’s 3 Dots Downtown is in the running for a grant that could help bring more live entertainment to Happy Valley. But first, it needs your help.
Through Sept. 21, you can vote online or by text to support 3 Dots’ proposal to host a free, three-year music series in downtown State College. Winning proposals would receive a $90,000 matching grant supported by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which seeks to improve access to “free, high-caliber entertainment” in public spaces across the country.
Should 3 Dots qualify for the grant, it would host national acts for free, outdoor concerts at Sidney Friedman Parklet across 2023, 2024 and 2025. The performances would come as part of the Levitt AMP Music Series, which helps small and mid-sized cities and towns across the nation host diverse lineups of musicians in accessible public spaces.
“A critical part of 3 Dots’ philosophy is that we seek to break down the barriers that might prevent someone from otherwise participating in an arts experience,” said Erica Quinn, 3 Dots’ executive director. “When live music is held in formal spaces, it can disincentivize participation. An intentionally diverse programming slate of outdoor music in accessible public spaces invites the community to engage.”
In a media release, 3 Dots said it submitted a proposal for State College’s concert series in collaboration with Gorinto Productions, a programming partner that curates inclusive atmospheres in arts and community spaces. 3 Dots’ proposal also received support from the Borough of State College, the Downtown State College Improvement District, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and other community partners.
The current voting phase could help 3 Dots qualify as one of 20 finalists for the Levitt Foundation grant. As of Sept. 15, the borough’s concert series ranked No. 28 among the 36 qualifying proposals. No other Pennsylvania communities are represented in the poll.
You can vote by visiting levitt.org/vote or by texting 866-AMP-2023 (866-267-2023) and using the keyword “STATECOLLEGE”. You can support up to five individual proposals but vote for each only once.
Public voting ends at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Once the polls close, the Levitt Foundation will review the 20 finalists’ proposals and select up to 10 to receive grants. The foundation will announce its winners on Nov. 15.
Although votes aren’t the sole factor behind a successful proposal, the Levitt Foundation said community support is a key factor behind its decision-making process.
