Lawrence Music Alliance Leader Wins Governor's Arts Award

Nick Carswell's group is working on a new music venue for the city.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Nick Carswell, the founder of the Lawrence Music Alliance, has been named a recipient of a Governor's Arts Award for his work supporting the local music scene in Lawrence, Kansas. Carswell has been helping musicians in the area since 2009 when he was living in Ireland, and he established the Lawrence Music Alliance in 2023 to further assist the city's musical community.

Why it matters

The Governor's Arts Award is one of the highest honors for artists and arts leaders in the state, recognizing Carswell's decade-plus of dedication to fostering the local music scene in Lawrence. The Lawrence Music Alliance has also been working on plans for a new music venue to provide more performance and rehearsal space for musicians in the city.

The details

Carswell, who has been the driving force behind the Lawrence Music Alliance since founding it in 2023, has been assisting musicians in the area since around 2009 when he was living in Ireland. The organization he leads provides a variety of services to support the local music community, from booking shows to providing rehearsal space.

  • Carswell founded the Lawrence Music Alliance in 2023.
  • Carswell has been helping musicians in the Lawrence area since around 2009.

The players

Nick Carswell

The founder of the Lawrence Music Alliance, which supports the local music scene in Lawrence, Kansas.

Lawrence Music Alliance

A nonprofit organization founded in 2023 to support the local music community in Lawrence, Kansas.

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What they’re saying

“I discovered that musicians really needed help with the business side of things, with booking shows, finding rehearsal space, and so on. That's why I started the Lawrence Music Alliance - to be that resource for them.”

— Nick Carswell, Founder, Lawrence Music Alliance (Lawrence Journal World)

What’s next

The Lawrence Music Alliance is currently working on plans to open a new music venue in the city to provide more performance and rehearsal space for local musicians.

The takeaway

Carswell's recognition with a Governor's Arts Award highlights the vital role that dedicated community leaders can play in supporting and nurturing a local music scene, even in a smaller city like Lawrence.