WHY GIVE

Especially for young, unknown artists, a sojourn in this paradise of time and space can change the world, can inspire volumes of courage where resignation would otherwise take place. I returned to my usual urban life with a widened heart and a belief that nothing is impossible now. Anna Schuleit, Interdisciplinary, MacDowell Fellow
I can't point to one aspect as being the most important of my residency, because everything about it seemed crucial. To have that many amazing staff members and resources supporting you, with the sole aim of helping you to do creative work, was extraordinary. I tend to have a horrible writers' block problem, but after a few stress-free, gorgeous days at MacDowell I was writing like crazy and still am now that I've left. Young Jean Lee, Theatre, MacDowell Fellow
I was inspired by the breadth and quality of the artists, writers, composers, etc., here, and had many conversations that significantly shifted my thinking or opened my eyes to a different way of working. Kira Appelhans, Architecture, MacDowell Fellow
A residency at MacDowell is like a fast forward on my work. I arrive burdened with doubt. I depart with art in my bag. What more could I want? Andrew Sean Greer, Literature, MacDowell Fellow
It is difficult to overestimate the value of the uninterrupted meditative thought that can happen here. The time to think sharpened my work and galvanized my purpose for when I leave. This will certainly mean future efforts will bear more fruit. Jason Van Nest, Architecture, MacDowell Fellow
At MacDowell, collaboration is celebrated. It is great to engage with other artists pushing the boundaries and limits to move to new ideas and work. Most Colonists seemed not to fit one discipline, which was very inspiring to me. Hilary Sample, Architecture, MacDowell Fellow
The MacDowell Colony is the closest thing I know to a paradise for artists. Philippe Bodin, Music Composition, MacDowell Fellow
The residency was a blessing. The experience works in mysterious ways; even if the work comes slowly, there are aspects to being in these woods and under the shelter of the colony that are deeply restorative and inspiring. Jem Cohen, Film/Video, MacDowell Fellow
Oh, I just love it here. Even when I get down, I love it here. I kept describing it to people as a chance for doors to open in my mind that I think would be less likely to open or certainly would take a lot longer at home. I am eternally grateful for the time and space. I also love talking to everyone else about their work. Martha Southgate, Literature, MacDowell Fellow
At MacDowell, I began to work in a way that was new for me. It had been years since I had actually used my own body as a source of inspiration. Through daily movement improvisation, I was able to consider my body as a place of memory and history, and was therefore able to access a level of authenticity in my movement vocabulary/language that had been missing or not previously explored in my recent work. I like to think that I began to "write" a "movement memoir". It was new territory! Donald Byrd, Interdisciplinary, MacDowell Fellow
For me, there is something very special about MacDowell that sets it apart from other residencies. For one, the tranquil beauty of its setting is particularly conducive to thought and work. Working in Alexander Studio, with its stone walls and hearth, heavy wooden beams and blue-grey winter light, was a spiritual experience and a meditation that I will long remember. Kim Uchiyama, Visual Art, MacDowell Fellow
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