MacDowell
For all the artists out there; writers, painters, musicians, sculptures, film makers and more – there is an artist retreat open for you. Really!
It all began in 1907, founded by composer Edward MacDowell and his wife, pianist Marian MacDowell. MacDowell, originally known as the MacDowell Colony, is a prestigious artist residency program in Peterborough, New Hampshire. The program’s mission is to provide a supportive and inspiring environment for artists to create enduring works of art. They envisioned a place where artists from various disciplines could find solitude and inspiration to produce significant work.
Oh boy, this has become the ‘Real Deal’. I was there, and I have so many stories to tell you.
One day each year, MacDowell is open to the public. It’s called MacDowell Day, and it’s big. People from all over the world visit. Since 1960, an award – the MacDowell Medal – is given to an artist. I was there to see Alfredo Jaar receive his award.
Some of the artists who have received the MacDowell Medal are:
- Thornton Wilder
- Robert Frost
- Edward Hopper
- Georgia O’Keffe
- Leonard Bernstein
- Philip Roth
- I. M. Pei
- Yoko Ono
- Rosanne Cash
- John Updike
It gets better.
The MacDowell land is 450 woodland acres. Spotted among the woodlands are cottages for artists, called studios. An artist stays there for a month to six weeks, writing, composing, painting, etc. Lunches are hand delivered to their doorstep – a tradition that began with Marian MacDowell delivering lunch to her husband as he worked at composing. Artists-in-residence gather together for breakfast and dinner at the main house, sleep there, and spend their days at their studio.
It’s impossible to walk the grounds
and tour all the studios in one visit.
The original studio is a log cabin built in 1899, and the last studio was built in 1937. All thirty-two studios are charming and well maintained.
The first studio I visited was the Watson (every studio has a name and a purpose), and a musician was doing her artist-in-residence. She was delightful, and very excited to be in the same studio where Leonard Bernstein composed.
The original log cabin.
Here are more studios:
The artist here was a sculptor.
Her work with clay and resin was amazing.
One of my favorite studios was for writers – Banks. It has a beautiful view.
The writer was excited to be doing her artist-in-residence in the same studio where Louise Aronson wrote her award winning book, Elderhood.
My favorite? The Tombstones! ‘They were here’ markers. Every artist-in-residence signs the Tombstone. Every studio has their Tombstones mounted.
This is a MacDowell Tombstone photo.
Dear bloggers/writers,
Hello! You can be there. Really. There is no cost. MacDowell wants to give artists a place where they can write, etc. I hope you consider applying.
I will be back there for MacDowell Day next year!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Wonderful to be reminded of places like this which are devoted to art and culture and creativity and the natural world! I have known about it for many years but never thought my creative path/output was worthy of consideration for a residency. Maybe it’s time to reconsider… Thanks for this lovely and inspirational blog post/tour!!!
Yes, you should!! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I’m so glad this post inspired you, Will!
What a wonderful place! And look at that list of medal winners. I can certainly see getting inspired there. How great that you got to spend a day there to look around. Is it near where you live?
Not too far, about an hour. Of course I thought of you in a studio writing Amanda books. I’m glad you enjoyed this, Darlene!
Mabel Dodge Luhan’s place in Taos, New Mexico is similar. (I included it in Amanda in New Mexico.) Such a great idea. I’ll soon be back on the Ilse of Arran for a week’s writing retreat, thanks to a generous American writer who lives there. These kind of places are so special for us creatives to get away.
Yes, these places are a treasure for writers! I’m so glad you’re headed back to the Iisle of Arran. 😍
It looks like a wonderful place to go and be inspired by past artists/creators and create.
It really is. Thanks, Deborah!
Thanks for the tour and the inspiration!
You are welcome!
What a wonderful place. Thanks for sharing your visit with us, Jennie. I can only imagine what it must be like to be in a studio where so many others have worked.
Think of the writing you could do there, Dan! It really is wonderful and very inspiring.
I spent three hours writing in the Library of the Mark Twain House. That was a remarkable experience. I can only imagine what 4-6 weeks would be like.
I did not know that! Yes, it must have been wonderful. 4-6 weeks would be a dream. I thought of you with the Tombstones. You’d love them!
Looks great, if only there was one here!
That would be wonderful!
What a great concept. Too bad we don’t know which compositions Bernstein composed in that cabin.
The metals were well rewarded except for …Yoko Uno
I know! Thornton Wilder wrote Our Town when he was there. I’d love to know what Bernstein wrote, or what Hopper painted. I’m with you on Yoko Ono. She didn’t even attend to get the medal.
Wow, Wilder wrote “our town” there.
Yes. I’m blown away.
I’ve never heard of this. What a gem. Thanks, Jennie.
It really is! You could be there writing, Jacqui.
It’s wonderful to see this amazing support for the arts.
Yes, it is!
Wow…wow…wow! Thank you so much, Jennie! Your photos and the history – can I say wow, wow, wow – again! Love the studios and the original log cabin. Many thanks! 💕💕💕
I still haven’t stopped saying wow…wow…wow!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Vicki! 🥰
I sure did…vicariously imagining what it would be like to be there – thanks to your post and photos. Looks like nirvana for creatives! xo! 🥰
Well said! Thanks so much, Vicki! 😍
🥰❤️🥰
I had never heard of this place, but it’s a wonderful concept, and the studios are beautiful. I think you should apply to stay there to write your book ‘How To Teach Children With Love’.
Best wishes, Pete.
It is truly a wonderful place! I love your title for my book. I was thinking, ‘It Happened Like This’, but yours is terrific. This weekend is the big annual conference (via Zoom) for writers of children’s books. One of the sessions I signed up for is, “So, You Want to Write Your Memoire.” I’ll let you know how it goes, plus I’m pitching my picture book. Many thanks, Pete!
I read a mystery novel by Lincoln Child that was set at a writers’ retreat in the Adirondacks. This fictional retreat in my mind looked just like what you have shown here at MacDowell – pretty neat!
That is very cool!
The cabins are beautiful! I am impressed with all those who won the award, except Yoko I’m afraid. It is commendable how they promote the arts.
I’m with you on Yoko! Yes, each cabin is different and very charming for artists. Promoting the arts is so important! I’m glad you enjoyed this, GP. You would love the Tombstones.
Yes, I do believe I would!
😀
I am enchanted, simply enchanted to learn of this. Thank you so much.
I knew of this, but actually going there and seeing it was…you said it well, enchanting. I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Annette. SO glad!
What a lovely tour, Jennie. This would be a dream come true. The place just screams creativity.
Yes, a dream come true. And, I thought of you writing there, John. Apply, ’cause nothing ventured, nothing gained. I could feel the creativity the minute I arrived. I still haven’t gotten over it.
😊
I knew that McDowell had a good reputation, but I didn’t realize it’s THIS big a deal!
Hi Liz, I’m still reeling over being there and touring the grounds and studios. Thornton Wilder wrote Our Town while he was in one of those studios. I keep imagining Edward Hopper painting away there. You are not far away. Go to MacDowell Day next summer; it’s only open to the public one day a year. AND, apply to be an artist-in residence. You are an outstanding writer. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Thanks for the recommendation, Jennie!
You are very welcome, Liz!
Bringing like-minded people together to share in their passion is always a great idea.
Yes! Beautifully said, Pete. This is quite the place.
wow, this sounds utterly amazing, from beginning to end, with all of the details in between and how cool that they have a McDowell Day each year!
Yes, and yes, and yes!
enjoyed this post and the videos made this really come to life –
Thanks, Prior. I’m glad you enjoyed this.
😊
Those grounds look just right for a writing retreat!
They really are!
As far as AIRs go, this is the cream of the crop – and very competitive to obtain residencies, too. If this post piqued interest, just google ‘Artists in Residence’ and various starting points will pop up for further exploration. One of the more accessible AIRs are the ones offered by the national parks (I’ve applied to a few, but available dates are my personal limiting factor and I ended up not pushing ‘submit’). However, these have been greatly reduced due the current administration’s funding initiatives. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/arts/air.htm
The current call for applications is for one in Hawaii…just sayin’… 🙂
ps-thanks for this post – it helps widen the world for creatives who might feel left out of life right now.
Thank you, Laura. Yes I believe MacDowell is probably the cream of the crop. The artists-in-resident I met were young and energetic, not like this oldster here, or someone who had already made a name for themselves. I found that hopeful. I’m glad you expounded upon AIRs, as someone here in our blogging community might be inspired to apply (including you.)
😍
What a wonderful experience.
It really was, Norah. Thanks!
Thank you for creating a post about this retreat, as I hadn’t heard of it before. And now I love that it exists to give artists and writers time and space to work! 🌞
You’re welcome, Dave. I’m glad you enjoyed this. It’s quite a wonderful place, and artists need places to create and be inspired.
Fantastic places for authors to write freely without getting disturbed. Thanks a lot dear Jennie for the lovely post 👍👍👍
Yes, it is! Thank you, Kamal.
What an absolute JOY of a place to create and find inspiration in those silent spaces within the woodland Jennie…
I smiled when you said they had lunch brought to them… I know how when I get in my own creative space, my hubby will often bring me a drink and sandwich up to my little room/studio where I do my crafting or painting… He says if he doesn’t, I will forget to eat, as I get carried away lol..
Loved the video footage too Jennie… What a great space for all who wish to create..
Many thanks for sharing your time there and the history Jennie..
Much love your way and have a peaceful weekend xx ❤ xx
MacDowell’s wife always delivered lunch to him when he was composing in the Log Cabin. That tradition of delivering lunch to artists continues today. So cool! You know all too well what this means for artists. I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Sue. Many thanks!
I really do, Jennie, such an inspiring place to get those creative juices flowing in all the various arts xx ❤
Yes!! 💕
I had never heard of this place, or the concept. It looks idyllic, inspiring, evocative – but who can afford to go?
Well, it costs nothing to be there. I’m not sure about a cost to get there. That’s worth looking into. Yes, it’s all you say it is. Go for it, Mike. You’re a terrific writer. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Always welcome dear Jennie 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
Jennie, what a grand post. I’m amazed and fascinated — I had never heard of this place. It sounds like a slice of heaven. Hugs.
It really is! I was as amazed and fascinated as you – and I got to actually be there! Here’s to a slice of heaven for artists.
You are always welcome dear Jennie. Even my daughter is a child counselor and works in a good school.💗💗💗
I’m glad to know that, Kamal. Many thanks!
Thanks for sharing this very interesting information, Jennie! Really a great idea and a heaven for artists. xx Michael
It truly is a heaven for artists. I’m so glad there are places like this for artists to be inspired and do their work. Best to you, Michael.
You are always welcome dear Jennie 💖🙏🙏💖
😍
What a wonderful event Jennie. Thanks for sharing it with us. I love the tomb stone idea too! 💙
It was, Debby. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Love those tombstones!
Absolute. x
❣️❣️❣️
Wow, what an amazing place for artists of all disciplines to get a chance to work. I can imagine how many applications they get for a residence. Thanks for sharing this wonderful place with us, Jennie. How lucky that you are close enough to visit each year.
It really is amazing, and all art disciplines are included. This year was my first visit, but I plan to return every year.
Pingback: Story Chat Digest: “Was That a Scream?” by Darlene Foster – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write
Thank you!