Mike Curb, former Lieutenant Governor and acting Governor of California, as well as a music industry veteran, has funded the construction of a new student recording facility at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, which will begin in 2025. This contribution continues the long-standing philanthropic partnership between the Mike Curb Foundation and the School of Music, which has spanned over ten years. The facility will be housed in the Evelyn and Mo Ostin Music Center.
“I am very pleased to extend my commitment to create a creative lab space that will serve as a training ground for young music professionals to hone their skills and master their craft at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music,” shares Curb. “We are proud to be joining our support with philanthropists and music industry pioneers Herb Alpert, Mo Ostin and Berry Gordy.”
The Mike Curb Foundation made its inaugural donation to the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in 2012, supporting the establishment of a computer music lab in the Ostin Music Center. This latest gift will fund a full renovation of that space, transforming it into the Mike Curb Student Recording Facility, which will include two new mixing/editing rooms and faculty studios.
“Mike Curb has a passion for educational philanthropy,” says Eileen Stempel, Dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. “We are thrilled that he has provided our students with professional-level facilities to foster their development. This will be a significant enhancement for our music industry program.”
Since becoming an independent school in 2016, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has been recognized as one of the top music business schools by Billboard. In 2023, the school launched its own independent music industry program, taught by a faculty of academic researchers and industry professionals. The program leverages the school’s extensive resources, including two large theaters, one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of musical instruments, and the UCLA Music Library, the largest in southern California. In conjunction with the newly established Berry Gordy Music Industry Center, the program supports course development and provides students with internships and professional opportunities in the industry.
“Music industry students require professional level facilities to apprentice in, while also having their own creative space to experiment and explore their musical ideas,” adds Robert Fink, Special Academic Senior Associate Sean and Chair of the music industry program. “We are excited to be opening the Mike Curb Student Recording Facility, so we can provide our students even more opportunities to develop these industry critical skills.”
The Mike Curb Foundation’s donation aligns with its long-standing mission of supporting education and culture. Since its founding more than 20 years ago, the foundation has contributed over $200 million in grants to advance education, the arts, cultural preservation, homelessness relief and various community initiatives. Its charitable efforts reflects Curb’s commitment to giving back to the community and inspiring others to do the same.
