The Music Man Foundation adds Curtis Stewart and Steven T. Benson to board

The Music Man Foundation named violinist and composer Curtis Stewart and longtime arts executive Steven T. Benson to its Board of Directors on July 23, 2026. The appointments bring artistic and fundraising expertise to the Los Angeles foundation as it continues channeling Meredith Willson licensing royalties to arts organizations.

Why it matters: - The Music Man Foundation is adding board members with two different skill sets: artistic leadership and arts-funding strategy. - The new directors could help guide grantmaking for organizations using music to drive education, health, wellness and community impact. - The appointments also reinforce the foundation’s role as a steward of Meredith Willson’s legacy and licensing royalties.

What happened: - The Music Man Foundation announced that Curtis Stewart and Steven T. Benson have joined 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 brings more than 27 years of experience with the Music Center Foundation.

The details: - Stewart is praised by The New York Times for “combining omnivory and brilliance.” - Stewart also serves as artistic director of the American Composers Orchestra. - Stewart is a professor at The Juilliard School. - Stewart performs with PUBLIQuartet and The Mighty Third Rail. - Benson started his career with 10 years on Wall Street before moving into arts philanthropy. - Benson has served as president and CEO of the Music Center Foundation for the past 15 years. - During Benson’s tenure, 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 access to the performing arts. - Sarah Lyding, executive director, said the two new directors bring different backgrounds that align with the foundation’s interests as an artist legacy foundation. - Lyding said the foundation honors Meredith Willson, who wrote the Tony Award®-winning musical “The Music Man.” - Lyding said the foundation stewards licensing royalties from Willson’s works to benefit community organizations. - Stewart said his family helped him build connections between styles, cultures and musical traditions. - Stewart said he wants to support education, musical innovation and diversity in classical music. - Benson said arts organizations can have a positive impact when they have security and room to innovate. - Benson said he is especially interested in music education and organizations using music to improve health and wellness.

Between the lines: - The board additions signal a mix of creative credibility and institutional fundraising experience. - Stewart’s background suggests a stronger connection to artists, educators and contemporary classical music communities. - Benson’s career suggests practical experience scaling arts endowments and supporting long-term organizational stability. - The foundation appears to be balancing legacy preservation with broader social impact work.

What's next: - Stewart and Benson are expected to help shape the foundation’s continued support for arts organizations. - The foundation will keep distributing royalties tied to Meredith Willson’s catalog to groups that use music for enduring change. - More information is available at the foundation’s website.

The bottom line: - The Music Man Foundation is strengthening its board with leaders who connect artistic perspective, philanthropy and arts infrastructure.