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

The Music Man Foundation has named violinist-composer Curtis Stewart and arts finance veteran Steven T. Benson to its Board of Directors. The additions bring artist and endowment expertise to a foundation that funds arts organizations with royalties from Meredith Willson’s work.

Why it matters: - The Music Man Foundation is adding board members with two different strengths: artistic leadership and arts finance. - The move comes as the foundation continues directing royalties from Meredith Willson’s catalog to community organizations and arts groups. - Board expertise can shape how the foundation supports music education, access, health and wellness, and long-term arts sustainability.

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 is a longtime arts executive who spent more than 27 years with the Music Center Foundation.

The details: - Stewart serves as artistic director of the American Composers Orchestra. - Stewart is a professor at The Juilliard School. - Stewart is also a member of PUBLIQuartet and The Mighty Third Rail. - The New York Times praised Stewart for “combining omnivory and brilliance.” - Benson worked on Wall Street for 10 years before moving into arts philanthropy. - Benson served as president and CEO of the Music Center Foundation for the past 15 years. - Under Benson’s leadership, the Music Center Foundation grew to nearly $320 million in assets. - Benson’s work with the Music Center resident companies focused on expanding resources for arts education and access to the performing arts. - Sarah Lyding, executive director of The Music Man Foundation, said the two new directors bring different backgrounds that 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 to benefit community organizations. - Lyding said both directors understand the needs of performing arts organizations today. - 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 honored to join the board.

Between the lines: - The board additions suggest the foundation wants both creative perspective and institutional fundraising experience as it decides where royalties and grants can have the most impact. - Stewart’s background points toward artist-led decision-making and support for diverse musical voices. - Benson’s background points toward endowment discipline and scaling nonprofit resources.

What’s next: - Stewart and Benson will help guide The Music Man Foundation’s grantmaking and stewardship of Willson’s legacy. - The foundation will continue funding organizations that use music to drive change, including arts education and music programs tied to health and wellness. - More information is available on the foundation’s website.