Music Academy of the West Acquires Downtown Santa Barbara Property

The acquisition will help the Academy launch a brand new Music Education Center

Established in 1947, the Music Academy of the West (MAW) offers an eight-week Summer Music Festival & School which trains up to 150 international musicians aged 18-34, and annually presents over 120 performances and events.

MAW’s recent acquisition of 901 State Street in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara will help launch its new Music Education Center for learning and community engagement. 

This investment was made possible by a landmark $20 million gift from Cheryl Goldberg, the founding contributor to the MAW Music Education Center, and also honors the memory of her late husband, Michael Goldberg, a former executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 

The new center, which marks MAW’s approaching 80th anniversary, will complement the Academy’s primary Montecito campus, creating a year-round destination for concerts, educational programs, and community gatherings while revitalizing the Santa Barbara Arts District.

By its completion, the center will offer state-of-the-art rehearsal and performance facilities, host music education programs for all age groups, showcase diverse musical voices, and serve as the future home of MAW’s Lehrer Vocal Institute and Sing! Program. 

“We are profoundly grateful to Cheryl Goldberg for bringing this vision to life,” said MAW President & CEO Shauna Quill. “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.” 

“On behalf of our Board of Directors and the Music Academy, I want to express our gratitude to Cheryl Goldberg for this extraordinary act of generosity,” added Chair of the MAW Board of Directors, Danner Schefler. “Her gift creates a living memorial to Michael’s legacy — one that will inspire and benefit generations to come. This center ensures that their shared vision of community, excellence, and artistic expression will continue to shape the spirit and character of Santa Barbara.”

“This is a defining moment for Santa Barbara’s future,” expressed Mayor of Santa Barbara Randy Rowse. “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.”