The MacDowell Book

A Place for the Arts: The MacDowell Colony 1907–2007, a new book being published in January, 2007, celebrates the MacDowell legacy with personal perspectives on the Colony experience written by MacDowell Fellows; an essay on the vital role of art in civil society, written by MacDowell Chairman and noted broadcast journalist and writer Robert MacNeil; and a history of the Colony from its origins to the present day, by Library of Congress Curator Robin Rausch.  Edited and with a preface by architectural historian and MacDowell President Carter Wiseman, the 240-page book combines 14 diverse texts with approximately 140 vintage and newly commissioned photographs. Together, these provide both an intimate portrayal of the Colony and compelling insights on art in America.

Additional contributors to the publication are New Yorker writer Joan Acocella, novelist Michael Chabon, visual artist Carol Diehl, writer and New York Times editorial board member Verlyn Klinkenborg, composer Paul Moravec, writer and Gourmet magazine editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl, poet Jean Valentine, the late playwright Wendy Wasserstein, writer Jacqueline Woodson, and poet Kevin Young. The newly commissioned photographs were taken by Victoria Sambunaris. A Place for the Arts also contains an introduction by former Colony Chairman Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation.

Additional historical perspective on the Colony is provided by brief excerpts from select speeches given at MacDowell’s annual Medal Day ceremonies. These include the words of such legendary figures as Meyer Schapiro, who introduced Medalist Alexander Calder; John Hersey, who introduced Medalist Lillian Hellman; and Colony Fellow Meredith Monk, who introduced Merce Cunningham.

 

A Place for the Arts is distributed by the University Press of New England and available through independent and chain retailers.   The hardcover volume contains 80 color and 60 black and white illustrations and retails for $39.95.