The MacDowell Colony

The MacDowell Colony is a nonprofit artist residency program that awards Fellowships to artists of exceptional talent, providing time, space, and an inspiring environment in which they can do creative work. The oldest artist residency program in the United States, MacDowell was founded in 1907 by composer Edward MacDowell and pianist Marian MacDowell, his wife. Fellows receive room, board, and exclusive use of one of the Colony's 32 studios, which are spread across 450 acres in the New Hampshire countryside. The sole criterion for acceptance to MacDowell is talent, as determined by a panel representing the discipline of the applicant. A Registered National Historic Landmark, The MacDowell Colony received the National Medal of Arts in 1997 from President Bill Clinton for "nurturing and inspiring" artists.