Homepage

MacDowell makes a place in the world for artists, because art makes the world a better place.

Scroll

Coronavirus/Pandemic Updates

A letter from our executive director in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and all related MacDowell postings online while we are temporarily closed.

Director's message and updates

Latest News + Events

Latest: Audre Lorde’s "Sister Outsider" As Relevant Today As Ever

Monday is the 36th anniversary of the publishing of Audre Lorde's Sister Outsider, a collection of 15 essays and speeches by the poet, essayist, and activist, written between 1976 and 1984.

Breaking News: Rosanne Cash Named 61st Edward MacDowell Medalist

Composer-Performer Rosanne Cash will receive the 2021 Edward MacDowell Medal at a free public event at MacDowell's Peterborough, NH campus on August 8, 2021.

Isolation Reading List by Susan Orlean

Susan Orlean (10, 15) has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1992. See what nonfiction writing the author of seven books, including The Orchid Thief and Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend, finds inspiring.

Miyoko Ito From Internment Camp to Celebrated Abstract Painter

In another celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we honor Miyoko Ito, an American painter born in Berkeley, CA known for her nuanced abstractions.

Latest: Nell Painter Recounts the Invasion of Coronavirus While Ensconced in Italy

Nell Painter (16, 19), visual artist, author, and MacDowell's new chair of the board was at Fondazione Bogliasco working on a new book when COVID-19 invaded Italy. This brief essay describes the experience and her self-examination as she and her husband eventually made their way back home.

New Comprehensive Artist Index

We list all Fellows from 1907 to the present in this comprehensive artist index. Try the search window to see who's been in residence at MacDowell.

Get to know 8,000+ artists

Find out who has gone through our community and how their artistic dreams and passion are being fulfilled.

Browse Artists

The MacDowell Colony is a leading contemporary arts organization located in Peterborough, NH.

Since 1907, our mission has been to create a space where inspiration happens on a daily basis. We do that by providing essential support for emerging and established artists by bringing together diverse, multidisciplinary talent to exchange ideas and pursue creative work.

Explore our history

Artist Accolades

The writers, visual artists, composers, filmmakers, playwrights, interdisciplinary artists, and architects who have attended MacDowell have won:

91 Pulitzer
Prizes

844 Guggenheim
Fellowships

33 National
Book Awards

8 National
Medals for the Arts

32 MacArthur
Fellowships

109 Rome
Prizes

9 Academy
Awards

15 GRAMMY
Awards

31 Tony
Awards

A house of dreams untold – It looks out over the whispering treetops and faces the setting sun.

- Edward A. MacDowell

Apply

Our next application deadline is September 15, 2020 for winter-spring 2021 residencies. The application period opens on July 15.

Apply

Donate

The MacDowell Colony relies on the generosity of individuals and foundations
to provide vital support every year to more than 300 artists in seven disciplines.

Donate