The Music Man Foundation adds Curtis Stewart and Steve Benson to board

The Music Man Foundation has named violinist and educator Curtis Stewart and nonprofit leader Steve Benson to its Board of Directors. The additions bring artistic and endowment-building experience to a foundation that funds arts groups with royalties from Meredith Willson’s work.

Why it matters: - The new board members add two different kinds of expertise to The Music Man Foundation: artistic leadership and arts-organization finance. - The Foundation uses licensing royalties from Meredith Willson’s works to support community organizations, so board oversight affects how that money is directed. - The appointments come as arts groups continue to seek more education funding, broader access and stronger long-term financial stability.

What happened: - The Music Man Foundation named Curtis Stewart and Steven T. Benson to its Board of Directors. - The announcement was made July 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. - Stewart is a seven-time GRAMMY Award-nominated violinist and composer. - Benson spent 10 years on Wall Street before moving to arts philanthropy more than 27 years ago.

The details: - Stewart is artistic director of the American Composers Orchestra. - Stewart is a professor at The Juilliard School. - Stewart also performs with PUBLIQuartet and The Mighty Third Rail. - The New York Times praised Stewart for “combining omnivory and brilliance.” - Benson served as president and CEO of the Music Center Foundation for the past 15 years. - Benson’s work at the Music Center Foundation focused on expanding resources for arts education and access to the performing arts. - During Benson’s tenure, the Music Center Foundation grew to nearly $320 million in assets. - Sarah Lyding, executive director, said the two new directors bring backgrounds that align with 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 royalties from Willson’s works for community organizations. - Stewart said his background in music education, innovation and diversity in classical music shaped his interest in the Foundation’s work. - Benson said arts organizations can have a positive effect on their communities when they have stability and room to innovate. - Benson also said music education is a personal passion. - The Music Man Foundation says it donates 100% of profits from Willson’s licensing royalties to organizations that use music to create lasting change and amplify his legacy. - Over the last decade, the Foundation has awarded more than $32 million to 90 organizations. - Willson also wrote “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas” and the University of Iowa fight song. - More information is available at the Foundation’s website.

Between the lines: - Stewart’s appointment suggests the Foundation wants more direct input from active artists and educators. - Benson brings a donor-advised and endowment-building perspective that could reinforce the Foundation’s grantmaking capacity. - The mix of board experience points to a focus on both artistic impact and financial sustainability.

What's next: - Stewart and Benson are expected to help guide the Foundation’s grantmaking and long-term strategy. - The Foundation is likely to keep channeling royalties toward arts organizations working in education, access and wellness. - The new board structure may strengthen the Foundation’s ability to support a broader range of community arts groups.