Both the Curtis Institute and the Settlement Music School shared a building at Queen Street in South Philadelphia for the first year.

[9] Bok established the institute to train talented musicians for professional careers and to teach music for its own sake and not as a means to another end.

They shall learn to think and to express their thoughts against a background of a quiet culture, with the stimulus of personal contact with artist teachers who represent the highest and finest in their art.

Other notable original faculty included conductor Leopold Stokowski, violinist Carl Flesch, pianists David Saperton and Isabelle Vengerova, singers Marcella Sembrich and Andreas Dippel, cellist Michel Penha, and flutist William Kincaid.

The school started providing summer residency programs for advanced students in the United States or Europe.

[15] In 2020, following credible allegations of abuse at the hands of past faculty, the school ended its practice of keeping students enrolled "at the discretion of their major instrument teacher".

[16] The institute formerly served as a training ground for orchestral musicians to fill the ranks of the Philadelphia Orchestra, although composers, organists, pianists, guitarists, and singers are offered courses of study as well.

With the exception of composers, conductors, pianists, organists, and guitarists, admission is granted only to the number of students to fill a single orchestra and opera company.

[17][18][19] Nina Simone claimed her application for a scholarship was rejected because of her race, despite her excellent credentials and audition performance.

The venue is used for weekly student recitals, faculty and alumni concerts, master classes, and recording sessions.

The Curtis Archives comprises largely unpublished materials whose value derives from its collection by, ownership of, or relation to, a Curtis-affiliated individual.