Music Man Foundation adds Curtis Stewart and Steve Benson to board

The Music Man Foundation named violinist-composer Curtis Stewart and arts finance veteran Steve T. Benson to its Board of Directors on July 23, 2026. The additions bring artistic and endowment-building expertise to a foundation that gives music licensing royalties to arts and community organizations.

Why it matters: - The Music Man Foundation is adding two directors with different but complementary backgrounds: one rooted in performance and education, the other in arts finance and endowment growth. - The board changes come as the foundation continues directing royalties from Meredith Willson’s works to organizations using music for community impact. - The appointments may strengthen the foundation’s ability to support arts groups, education programs and music-based health and wellness work.

What happened: - The Music Man Foundation named Curtis Stewart and Steven T. Benson to its Board of Directors on July 23, 2026. - Stewart is a seven-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated violinist and composer. - Benson is the former president and CEO of the Music Center Foundation. - The foundation is based in Los Angeles.

The details: - Stewart has been praised by The New York Times for “combining omnivory and brilliance.” - Stewart also serves as artistic director of the American Composers Orchestra, a professor at The Juilliard School, and a member of PUBLIQuartet and The Mighty Third Rail. - Benson spent 10 years on Wall Street before moving into arts philanthropy work more than 27 years ago. - Benson led the Music Center Foundation for the past 15 years. - Under Benson’s presidency, the Music Center Foundation grew to nearly $320 million in assets. - Benson’s work with Music Center resident companies focused on expanding resources for arts education and broader access to the performing arts. - Executive Director Sarah Lyding said the two new directors’ backgrounds fit the foundation’s role as an artist legacy foundation. - Lyding said the foundation honors Meredith Willson, who wrote the Tony Award®-winning musical “The Music Man,” and stewards licensing royalties from Willson’s works for community organizations. - Stewart said his family’s musical background shaped his work in education, innovation and diversity in classical music. - Benson said arts organizations can have a strong community impact when they have stability and room to innovate. - Benson also said music education is a personal passion.

Between the lines: - The board additions pair artistic credibility with financial and institutional experience. - That mix suggests the foundation is balancing creative legacy with the practical demands of funding and scaling grants. - The foundation’s focus on music as a tool for health, wellness and education points to a grantmaking strategy that goes beyond performance alone.

What's next: - Stewart and Benson will join the foundation’s board as it continues awarding royalties from Willson’s catalog. - The foundation says it supports organizations that use music to catalyze enduring change. - Over the next decade, the foundation’s board will likely help guide which arts and community programs receive support. - The foundation’s website is More information.