Galva Arts Council Gets Another Three-Year Grant, Totaling $120K
The Galva Arts Council announced Tuesday that it’s been chosen again by the Levitt Foundation as a returning grantee for the 2026–2028 Levitt AMP Galva Music Series, securing a three-year grant totaling $120,000. The grant will be dispersed in annual increments of up to $40,000 and requires a dollar-for-dollar match from the community, according to a press release.
This funding ensures the continuation of one of the area’s most beloved traditions, bringing 10 free, family-friendly concerts to Wiley Park each summer. Since its inception in 2018, the Levitt AMP Galva Music Series has drawn tens of thousands of people together to experience world-class live music in a welcoming outdoor setting, strengthening community bonds and stimulating local pride and economic activity.
Tiny Galva, Ill. — pop. 2,539, and 48 miles southeast of Moline — has earned national acclaim since 2018 for its free summer concert series.
Since 2018, the Galva Arts Council has presented a free weekly summer concert
series in Wiley Park, Galva, Illinois.
Its consistent financial backer, the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, in 2022 gave Galva Arts Council a multi-year Levitt AMP Grant Award of $90,000 in matching funds to present a free outdoor music series at Wiley Park in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The Levitt Foundation selected Galva as a returning grantee after a competitive review process, citing the series’ proven impact, strong community support, and alignment with the Levitt mission of building community through music, Tuesday’s release said.
“This series has impacted life in this area immensely and in ways that are well beyond the concerts,” said John Taylor, a tireless concert organizer and founder of the Levitt AMP Galva Music Series. “This support allows us to continue offering high-quality, diverse, and inclusive concerts that are completely free to the public. It’s about more than just music—it’s about creating a place to live where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, connect, and feel a sense of belonging.”
Taylor also emphasized the series’ broader impact: “These concerts not only enrich our cultural landscape but also generate real economic benefits for local businesses, restaurants, and vendors. On concert weekends, you can feel the energy ripple through town—families are out, shops are busy, and Galva shines as a welcoming destination.”
He added, “Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible support of our community. The Levitt Foundation’s grant requires local matching funds, and year after year our neighbors, sponsors, and volunteers have stepped up to make sure these concerts continue. That kind of collective commitment is what makes Galva truly special.”
A performer at a summer 2025 Galva Music Series concert.
In 2025, the national Levitt network of music venues and concert sites presented 650+ free concerts in 45 towns and cities, with audiences over 750,000. In addition to supporting free concerts, the Levitt Foundation is dedicated to advancing equitable music ecosystems through research and partnerships. Learn more at www.levitt.org.
The Galva Arts Council is grateful to the Levitt Foundation, local sponsors, volunteers, and community members whose support makes this series possible, the group said. Planning for the 2026 Levitt AMP Galva Music Series is already underway, with more details to be announced in the coming months. Anyone interested in donating or getting involved should reach out via the Levitt AMP Galva Music Series Facebook page or at GalvaMusic.com.
