Spencer Munson's short stint working in a record store ignited his love of music that led to his full-time career as a music festival organizer and promoter of the arts. He's responsible for bringing 100 bands to Lincoln each year through Lincoln Calling, as well as filling the downtown with the sounds of Jazz each summer at the Sheldon Art Gallery.

Learn about the challenges of building a non-profit organization, costly mistakes every festival organizer must learn, why music festivals are essential to attracting young talent, and how he makes money and manages artists inside his operation. 

Lincoln Calling is a week filled with amazing music and local artisans surrounded by community and professional development. Over the course of one week in the fall Lincoln Calling draws thousands of concertgoers from around the country to catch over 100 bands in Downtown Lincoln.

About Lincoln Calling:

Lincoln Calling is the city’s premier, non-sports cultural event that specifically targets millennials and young professionals. In 2018 and beyond, this music festival that highlights some of the country’s and state’s most exciting emerging artists, is only growing bigger and better. With YP Week, Startup Week and more non-musical programming joining the fold, and killer headliners already confirmed, Lincoln Calling is on the cusp of securing a spot in the national music festival conversation.

By supporting artists, venues and local promoters, it makes Lincoln’s music and arts scene even

stronger. By drawing regional crowds to businesses in the heart of Lincoln, it helps stimulate our economy. And by injecting an influx of undeniably cool people and youth culture into the city, it makes Lincoln a more appealing place to live, work and play — valuable evidence for businesses aiming to attract and retain top talent. It is our vision is to make the state a globally recognized cultural destination.

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About Jazz in June:

Jazz in June invigorates Lincoln’s cultural landscape and provides distinctive character as the community’s “signature free event.” It sparks community engagement among all demographics in the city and supports positive urban culture in downtown Lincoln. This community-centric program traditionally serves 25,000 people over the course of four Tuesdays in June.

In 2017, Jazz in June enjoyed success not only with well-attended performances, but also within the community and classroom. Artists spent hours leading youth workshops in cultural and education centers. The musicians also discussed career paths and theory while engaging students in the University’s music department. With the overwhelming success of 2017’s performance by 5-time GRAMMY Award-winner Terence Blanchard, Jazz in June is striving to book more world renown artists and educators in the future.

The majority of Jazz in June planning is undertaken by a part-time dedicated staff member and a board of volunteers. These individuals plan and execute fundraising, research, community partner development, educational programs, and new marketing strategies. It is the organization’s objective to create a diverse volunteer staff and stable funding base for the community series. The comprehensive funding plan includes support from local foundations, corporations, and individuals. With ample and diverse sources of funding the organization can stay financially viable through any economic climate.

The audience of Jazz in June is a reflection of the Lincoln community. People of all ages, economic backgrounds, and diverse heritage regularly attend the program, achieving several key missions of the program. Jazz in June will strive to benefit the community through strong partnerships with other local organizations, elected officials, advocacy groups, businesses, and faith communities. The development of more education before and during the event through culturally sensitive workshops, youth interaction, and interdisciplinary collaboration will continue. The series will also feature artists of color and further support diversity on stage and in the audience.

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