Sheboygans John Michael Kohler Arts Center Opens 12th Levitt AMP Music Series with Free Summer Concerts
Sun‑lit Thursday evenings in downtown Sheboygan are set to echo with new melodies as the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) launches its 12th season of the Levitt AMP Music Series. Beginning Thursday, June 25, the series will bring a rotating roster of performers to the City Green for free, open‑air concerts that run through September and culminate in a final show at the center’s Art Preserve during the Wayside Days celebration.
The kickoff night will feature singer‑songwriter Lindsay Lou, whose blend of bluegrass, folk and Americana promises a warm, roots‑heavy welcome to the summer lineup. Over the next ten weeks, each Thursday at 5:30 p.m. will showcase a different artist or group, ranging from jazz ensembles and Celtic fiddlers to Cajun brass bands and contemporary folk acts. Food trucks, beverage tents, and complimentary art‑making stations will line the Green, creating a festival‑style atmosphere that invites the entire community to gather, listen, and create.
JMKAC, a nonprofit contemporary‑art museum and performing‑arts hub that occupies a full city block in Sheboygan’s historic district, has long championed artist‑built environments and cutting‑edge exhibitions. In 2021 the center opened the Art Preserve, a satellite space dedicated to immersive art environments that extend the museum’s reach beyond traditional gallery walls. The Levitt AMP partnership, which began in 2015, provides a multi‑year matching grant that fuels free, live music in small and mid‑size communities. The partnership has become a cornerstone of JMKAC’s outreach, offering residents and visitors alike a high‑quality cultural experience without a ticket price.
The music series is designed to bridge the gap between artists and the public, fostering a shared sense of place through shared sound. Each performance will be accompanied by free art activities that encourage attendees to interact with the space and each other, reinforcing the center’s mission of community engagement.
In tandem with the weekly concerts, JMKAC will host the 56th Midsummer Festival of the Arts on July 18‑19. The festival will run concurrently with the music series and will bring more than 100 artists—spanning ceramics, painting, photography, and mixed media—to the City Green and surrounding venues. A dedicated Emerging Artist area will host workshops, mentorship sessions, and interactive demonstrations, giving local creatives a platform to explore professional pathways.
The season’s finale will take place at the Art Preserve during Wayside Days, a broader community event that celebrates Sheboygan’s cultural heritage and history. The closing concert will be paired with additional art installations, providing a fitting end to a summer of free public programming.
By offering a continuous stream of free concerts and festival programming, the JMKAC is investing in the local arts scene, stimulating the economy through food vendors and tourism, and ensuring that emerging artists have a stage to be seen. The Levitt AMP mission—to bring free, live music to communities that might otherwise lack access—is reflected in every Thursday night and every artist spotlight.
As the summer unfolds, the JMKAC will keep the City Green alive with music, art, and community. Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend the free concerts, explore the art installations, and participate in the Emerging Artist activities. Full schedules and additional details are available on the JMKAC website and the Levitt AMP site.
