Edhat Staff
Historic $20 Million Gift Fuels New Downtown Santa Barbara Music Education Center
Santa Barbara’s music scene is about to get a transformative new home, thanks to a historic $20 million gift from philanthropist Cheryl Goldberg, honoring her late husband, Michael Goldberg.
The donation, made to the Music Academy of the West, will spearhead the creation of a state-of-the-art Music Education Center at 901 State Street, a cornerstone property in downtown Santa Barbara that formerly housed the retail store Forever 21.
The new center is envisioned as a cultural beacon that will expand access to music education, foster year-round artistic innovation, and serve as a dynamic hub not only for music but also for community connection.
“This gift honors not only the Music Academy’s extraordinary mission and its desire to increase access to music education in Santa Barbara,” said Cheryl Goldberg. “It is also a tribute to the memory of my beloved husband, Michael, whose legacy lives on through the countless lives this center will touch.”
The Goldbergs relocated from Omaha, Nebraska to Santa Barbara in 2002, intending to make it their permanent home. Michael Goldberg, Cheryl’s late husband and a former executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., was known for his passion for excellence and community engagement—a spirit the new center seeks to embody. Cheryl Goldberg’s groundbreaking gift establishes her as the Founding Contributor of the Music Education Center, cementing a legacy of bold philanthropy that will shape the future of the performing arts in Santa Barbara.
As the Music Academy of the West approaches its 80th anniversary, the acquisition and planned transformation of 901 State Street marks a pivotal moment both for the Academy and for Santa Barbara’s rich cultural landscape. Designed to complement the Academy’s renowned campus in Montecito, the downtown facility aims to become a year-round destination for concerts, music education programs, and community gatherings.
“This center represents a bold investment in Santa Barbara’s vibrant cultural landscape. By establishing a permanent downtown presence, we’re deepening our roots and ensuring that the transformative power of music reaches every corner of our city,” said Shauna Quill, President & CEO of the Music Academy.
When completed, the new downtown space plans to offer immersive rehearsal and performance facilities, music education programs across all age groups, showcase diverse musical voices and creative expressions, and serve as the home of the Academy’s Lehrer Vocal Institute and Sing! Program.
Beyond its artistic mission, the new center is poised to revitalize the Santa Barbara Arts District, strengthening the city’s cultural fabric and igniting fresh opportunities for collaboration and engagement. Academy leaders say this ambitious new project will open doors for aspiring musicians while serving as a cultural anchor that benefits the broader community.
“This is a defining moment for Santa Barbara’s future,” said Randy Rowse, Mayor of Santa Barbara. “The Music Academy’s commitment to establishing a downtown music center will create ripple effects for generations—energizing our historic core, attracting visitors and residents alike, and cementing our identity as a city where the arts don’t just survive, but flourish.”
Construction and programming details for the center are expected to be unveiled in the coming months.
In the meantime, the Music Academy of the West will host its Summer Music Festival & School, which brings together 150 talented fellows from around the world for immersive training and 120+ public performances. The festival blends orchestral and vocal instruction with dynamic programming, drawing thousands of attendees and shaping the next generation of music leaders.
The 2025 Music Festival & School begins its public performances on Wednesday, June 18th and runs through August 9th.
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