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

The Music Man Foundation has named violinist and composer Curtis Stewart and arts executive Steven T. Benson to its Board of Directors. The appointments add both artistic and endowment-building experience as the foundation stewards Meredith Willson’s licensing royalties for arts and community organizations.

Why it matters: - The Music Man Foundation supports arts organizations with royalties tied to Meredith Willson’s work. - The new board members bring two useful skill sets: artistic leadership and long-term nonprofit finance experience. - The appointments come as the foundation continues funding organizations using music to support health, wellness and education.

What happened: - The Music Man Foundation named Curtis Stewart and Steven T. Benson to its Board of Directors. - 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 announced the appointments on July 23, 2026, 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. - Stewart is a professor at The Juilliard School. - Stewart performs with PUBLIQuartet and The Mighty Third Rail. - Benson spent 10 years on Wall Street before moving into arts philanthropy. - Benson joined the Music Center Foundation more than 27 years ago. - Benson led the Music Center Foundation for the past 15 years. - During Benson’s presidency, the Music Center Foundation grew to nearly $320 million in assets. - The foundation said Benson helped expand resources for arts education and access to the performing arts. - Sarah Lyding, executive director, said Stewart and Benson’s different 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. - Lyding said the foundation stewards licensing royalties from Willson’s works for community organizations. - Stewart said his background in a musical family shaped his interest in education, innovation and diversity in classical music. - Benson said arts organizations can have a strong positive effect when they have security and room to innovate. - Benson said he is honored to join board members carrying out this work. - The foundation has given more than $32 million to 90 organizations over the last decade. - The foundation donates 100% of profits from Willson’s licensing royalties to organizations using music to create enduring change. - Meredith 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: - The board additions suggest the foundation wants both artistic credibility and stronger financial stewardship. - Stewart’s presence points to a push for artist-informed grantmaking. - Benson’s background suggests continued emphasis on endowment growth and institutional stability.

What's next: - Stewart and Benson will help guide the foundation’s grantmaking and long-term strategy. - The foundation is likely to keep directing royalties toward arts groups that connect music with health, wellness and education. - The board changes may shape how the foundation balances legacy preservation with broader community impact.

The bottom line: - The Music Man Foundation is strengthening its board with a performer-educator and a nonprofit finance veteran as it expands support for arts organizations.