Medal Day

The Edward MacDowell Medal is an award given each year by The MacDowell Colony to an artist who has made an outstanding and lifetime contribution to his or her field. Since the Medal was first awarded in 1960, artists who have received this distinction include Leonard Bernstein, Merce Cunningham, Jasper Johns, Norman Mailer, Georgia O’Keeffe, and I.M. Pei. Medal Day takes place on the second Sunday in August; the Medal Day ceremony, which begins at 12:15 p.m., features not only the honoree but also a well-known presentation speaker who is familiar with the Medalist’s work. Past speakers include visual artist Richard Serra, writer William Styron, and Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Robert Campbell. After the ceremony, guests are invited to enjoy a picnic lunch on the Colony’s beautiful grounds before touring the open studios of current artists-in-residence. This casual but stimulating engagement with MacDowell Fellows allows visitors to immerse themselves in the creative process and view contemporary work long before it reaches museums, cinemas, stages, or bookshelves. Free and open to all, Medal Day has become a cultural destination for many near and far and typically draws more than 1,500 people. 

The MacDowell Colony is grateful for the continued support of the Lincoln Financial Foundation, which has served as the Medal Day Corporate Partner for more than 10 years.

Medal Day 2009
Coming Soon!

Previous Medal Days
Past MacDowell Medalists include such luminaries as Thornton Wilder, Edward Hopper, Alice Munro, and Aaron Copland. The following is an entire list of MacDowell Medalists since the award was first given in 1960, along with the speakers for each. (Asterisks denote Colony Fellows.)

YEAR

MEDALIST

DISCIPLINE

SPEAKER

Medal Day Speeches
The MacDowell Colony newsletter chronicles Medal Day speeches for the enjoyment of those who could not attend. You may click on the years below to read prior speeches.

Medal Day 2008 — Architect Thom Mayne; presentation speaker Robert Campbell
Medal Day 2007 — Filmmaker Les Blank; presentation speaker Fred Wiseman
Medal Day 2006 — Writer Alice Munro; presentation speaker Virginia Barber
Medal Day 2005 — Composer Steve Reich; presentation speaker Richard Serra
Medal Day 2004 — Visual artist Nam June Paik; presentation speaker John Hanhardt

Performances
Below are two performances from previous Medal Day ceremonies. In 2005, acclaimed group So Percussion performed music by Medalist Steve Reich. In 2003, well-known composer and Colony Fellow Meredith Monk performed a tribute piece for friend and Medalist Merce Cunningham.

Performance at Medal Day, 2005		Meredith Monk performing at Medal Day, 2003 This performance is copyrighted by Meredith Monk and may not be reproduced, copied, or distributed in any way without the express permission of Ms. Monk.

For More Information
To learn more about Medal Day, please us. To get directions to the Colony for Medal Day, please click here.