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

The Music Man Foundation has appointed violinist-composer Curtis Stewart and arts executive Steve Benson to its Board of Directors, adding two leaders with deep ties to music, education and nonprofit fundraising. The move comes as the foundation continues using Meredith Willson licensing royalties to support arts groups and other organizations.

Why it matters: - The Music Man Foundation is bringing in a performer-educator and a longtime arts finance executive to help guide its grantmaking and legacy stewardship. - The board additions could sharpen the foundation’s focus on music education, access to the performing arts and support for organizations using music to drive community impact.

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 served as president and CEO of the Music Center Foundation for the past 15 years.

The details: - Stewart is also artistic director of the American Composers Orchestra, a professor at The Juilliard School, and a member of PUBLIQuartet and The Mighty Third Rail. - The New York Times described Stewart as “combining omnivory and brilliance.” - Benson brings a finance background that started with 10 years on Wall Street. - Benson moved to the Music Center Foundation more than 27 years ago. - During Benson’s tenure, 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 broader access to the performing arts. - Sarah Lyding, executive director, said Stewart and Benson 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," and stewards licensing royalties from Willson’s works to benefit community organizations. - Lyding said both new directors understand the needs of performing arts organizations today. - Stewart said his family background in music shaped his interest in education, musical innovation and diversity in classical music. - Stewart said he looks forward to supporting the foundation’s work across arts organizations and systemic change. - Benson said arts organizations can have a positive effect on the communities where they operate when they have security and room to innovate. - Benson said he is honored to join a board stewarding work that supports music-based health and wellness efforts and music education. - The Music Man Foundation was founded in 1998 by Rosemary Willson as The Meredith and Rosemary Willson Charitable Foundation. - The foundation donates 100% of profits from Willson’s licensing royalties to organizations using music to catalyze enduring change and amplify his musical legacy. - Over the last decade, the foundation has awarded more than $32 million to 90 organizations. - Meredith Willson also wrote "It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas" and the University of Iowa fight song. - The foundation’s website is More information.

Between the lines: - The board picks blend artistic credibility with institutional fundraising experience, a combination that can matter for a foundation balancing legacy preservation and contemporary grantmaking. - Benson’s endowment-building background suggests the board may place added emphasis on financial durability alongside program impact. - Stewart’s profile points to continued attention on artists, educators and diversity in classical music as part of the foundation’s broader mission.

What’s next: - Stewart and Benson will join the board as the foundation continues directing Willson royalty income to arts and community organizations. - The foundation is likely to keep prioritizing music education, access, health and wellness, and organizational capacity-building through future grants.

The bottom line: - The Music Man Foundation is adding two directors who bring complementary experience in artistic practice and arts finance at a time when its legacy-driven grantmaking remains focused on measurable community impact.