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

The Music Man Foundation named violinist, composer and educator Curtis Stewart and arts finance veteran Steven T. Benson to its Board of Directors on July 23, 2026. The additions bring creative and endowment-building experience to a foundation that funds music-based organizations and stewards royalties from Meredith Willson’s work.

Why it matters: - Curtis Stewart brings an artist-educator view to a foundation that backs organizations using music to drive community impact. - Steven T. Benson adds deep experience in arts philanthropy and endowment growth, which can shape how the foundation expands its grantmaking and long-term support. - The board additions come as The Music Man Foundation continues to turn Meredith Willson’s licensing royalties into funding for arts, education, health and wellness organizations.

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. - 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. - Benson spent 10 years on Wall Street before moving to arts philanthropy. - Benson worked with the Music Center Foundation for more than 27 years and served as president and CEO for the past 15 years.

The details: - Stewart has been praised by The New York Times for “combining omnivory and brilliance.” - Stewart’s work centers on education, musical innovation and diversity in classical music. - Benson oversaw a period in which 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 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. - Stewart said his family shaped his connection to music across styles and cultures. - Benson said arts organizations can have a strong community impact when they have the security to innovate. - The Music Man Foundation says it supports visionary leaders and organizations using music to improve health and wellness and music education. - The foundation says it has awarded more than $32 million to 90 organizations over the last decade. - The foundation says it donates 100% of profits from Willson’s licensing royalties to organizations that use music to catalyze enduring change and amplify his musical legacy. - The foundation was started in 1998 by Rosemary Willson as The Meredith and Rosemary Willson Charitable Foundation. - 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 appointments pair a performing artist with a nonprofit finance leader, signaling a balance between creative mission and institutional growth. - Benson’s background suggests the foundation may continue emphasizing sustainable funding models, while Stewart’s career points to closer ties with artists and educators. - The foundation is positioning itself as both a steward of Willson’s legacy and a funder of contemporary arts organizations tackling access, education and wellness.

What's next: - Stewart and Benson are expected to help guide the foundation’s grantmaking and legacy stewardship strategy. - The foundation will continue distributing royalties from Willson’s works to arts-related community organizations. - The board additions may support future growth in funding for music education, health and wellness initiatives, and performing arts access.

The bottom line: - The Music Man Foundation is adding creative and financial expertise to its board as it works to extend Meredith Willson’s legacy through music-centered philanthropy.