MacDowell residency

{{Short description|Arts residency in Peterborough, New Hampshire}} {{Use American English|date=December 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Other uses|MacDowell (disambiguation){{!}}McDowell}} {{Infobox NRHP | name = MacDowell Colony | nrhp_type = nhld | nocat = yes | image = MacDowell Colony.jpg | caption = Colony Hall and Sigma Alpha Iota Cottage | location = 100 High Street, Peterborough, New Hampshire, U.S. | locmapin = New Hampshire#USA | area = | built = 1907 | designated_nrhp_type = December 29, 1962<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=28&ResourceType=District|title=MacDowell Colony|access-date=October 22, 2007|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606064136/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=28&ResourceType=District|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> | added = October 15, 1966<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref> | refnum = 66000026 }} {{Coord|42|53|24|N|71|57|18|W|type:landmark|display=title}} '''MacDowell''' is an artist's residency program in Peterborough, New Hampshire. The program was founded in 1907 by composer Edward MacDowell and his wife, pianist and philanthropist Marian MacDowell. Prior to July 2020, it was known as the '''MacDowell Colony''' or "The Colony", but its board of directors shortened the name to remove "terminology with oppressive overtones".<ref>[https://www.nhpr.org/post/calling-it-natural-evolution-macdowell-colony-drops-colony-its-name NHPR: "MacDowell Colony drops colony from tis name 7 July 2020]</ref><ref>[https://www.macdowell.org/news/macdowell-removes-colony-from-name MacDowell.org: "MacDowell Removes 'Colony' from Name" 7 July 2020]</ref>

After Edward MacDowell died in 1908, Marian MacDowell established the artists' residency program through a nonprofit association in honor of her husband, raising funds to transform her farm into a quiet retreat for creative artists to work. She led the organization for almost 25 years.

Over the years, an estimated 9,000 artists have been supported in residence with nearly 16,000 fellowships, including the winners of at least 102 Pulitzer Prizes, 33 National Book Awards, 31 Tony Awards, 34 MacArthur Fellowships, 18 Grammys, 9 Oscars, 969 Guggenheim Fellowships, and 122 Rome Prizes.<ref>[http://www.macdowellcolony.org/about/faqs MacDowell Colony FAQ]</ref> The artists' residency program has accepted visual and interdisciplinary artists, architects, filmmakers, composers, playwrights, poets, and writers, both well-known and unknown.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7686354|title= Artists Retreat into Solitude at MacDowell Colony|author=Silverman, Art |work=All Things Considered|date= March 6, 2007}}</ref> Since January 2020, Nell Painter has served as chair of MacDowell, the first woman to hold the position.<ref name="Painter">{{cite press release |author= |title=Best-selling Author and Visual Artist Nell Painter Appointed Chair of MacDowell Colony Board of Directors |url=https://www.macdowell.org/news/best-selling-author-and-visual-artist-nell-painter-appointed-chair-of-macdowell-colony-board-of-directors |website=MacDowell |date=January 22, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2020}}</ref> In February 2023, Chiwoniso Kaitano was appointed MacDowell's executive director, the first Black person to serve in the role.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/24/arts/chiwoniso-kaitano-macdowell-director.html The New York Times: "MacDowell Names Chiwoniso Kaitano Its Next Executive Director" February 24, 2023]</ref>

== History == alt=Star Studio in the woods, showing the side with the chimney and the side with a window with curtains|left|thumb|Star Studio at MacDowell, donated by Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Siller |first1=Mabel Harriet |title=The History of Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity (1885-1916) |last2=Armstrong |first2=Florence A |publisher=George Banta Printing Co |year=1917 |location=Menasha, WI |pages=270–275 |chapter=XXII The MacDowell Colony Studio}}</ref> In 1896, pianist Marian MacDowell bought Hillcrest Farm in Peterborough, New Hampshire, as a summer residence for herself and her husband, composer Edward MacDowell. She had always been careful to give him a quiet room for his work. They found that the New Hampshire landscape enhanced his work of composing music.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |last1=Rausch |first1=Robin |title=The House That Marian Built: The MacDowell Colony of Peterborough, New Hampshire |url=https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/awhhtml/aw08e/aw08e.html}}</ref>

The couple formulated a plan to provide an interdisciplinary experience in a nurturing landscape, by creating an institutionalized residential art colony in the area. In 1904, Edward MacDowell began to show signs of an illness that ended his composing and teaching career. He died in 1908.<ref>{{cite web|title=Library Of Congress|url=http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200035715/default.html|website=Library Of Congress}}</ref>

In 1907, Marian MacDowell deeded their farm to the Edward MacDowell Association and founded the MacDowell Colony. The first guests arrived that year: sisters Helen Farnsworth Mears, a sculptor, and Mary Mears, a writer. Mears wrote about her time on site for ''The Craftsman'' in July 1909.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> MacDowell began by inviting applicants personally, but by the 1920s had consigned the admission process to a committee.

Marian and friends raised funds and found support from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, former U.S. President Grover Cleveland, financier J. P. Morgan, other prominent people, as well as many others across the country. MacDowell said the most consistent support came from women's clubs and professional music sororities (see, for example, the MacDowell Club of New York). At the age of 50, MacDowell began lecturing to women's groups to raise funds, resumed her performing career, and became a noted interpreter of her husband's work.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Parker |first1=Gail Underwood |title=More than Petticoats: Remarkable New Hampshire Women |date=2009 |publisher=Morris Book Publishing}}</ref>

Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge organized an effort in 1916 to build and name a studio at MacDowell in memory of her teacher Regina Watson. It was renovated in 1993 and became McDowell's first barrier-free studio that was accessible to everyone.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Watson - Studios|url=https://www.macdowell.org/studios/watson|access-date=October 31, 2020|website=MacDowell|language=en}}</ref>

By 1918, 31 of Isabelle Sprague Smith's students funded the creation of the Isabelle D. Sprague Smith studio.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Musical Monitor|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DnpFAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA357|year=1918|publisher=Mrs. David Allen Campbell, Publisher|page=357|chapter=Studios}}</ref> Through the years more separate studios were built. The program continues in 32 studios scattered over {{convert|450|acre|sqkm}} of land.<ref>[https://www.macdowellcolony.org/studios MacDowell Colony: Explore our studios]</ref>

On March 13, 2020, MacDowell shut in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak and sent artists and fellows home. It was the first time the site had shut since the 1938 New England hurricane.<ref>[https://www.macdowell.org/news/macdowell-announces-temporary-covid-19-closure "MacDowell Announces Temporary COVID-19 Closure" 13 March, 2020]</ref> MacDowell reopened its doors in October of 2020.

== Medal Day == Every year, MacDowell presents the Edward MacDowell Medal to an artist who has made a significant cultural contribution. Residency at MacDowell is not a requirement. Medal Day is one of the rare occasions when the site is open to the public.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/07/18/metro/macdowell-private-artist-retreat-to-open-public/ |title=This secluded property in rural N.H. has hosted some of the world's greatest artists |first=Amanda |last=Gokee |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=July 18, 2024 |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref> The ceremony includes a keynote speech, after which the artists open their studios to visitors.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.macdowellcolony.org/md.html| title=Medal Day| publisher=The MacDowell Colony| access-date=March 17, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407060154/http://www.macdowellcolony.org/md.html| archive-date=April 7, 2008}}</ref>

==Property tax dispute== MacDowell, a non-profit organization, enjoys the status of a charity, entitling it to exemption from local property taxes, among other things. However, in 2005, the town of Peterborough's selectmen (local-government executives) decided to challenge MacDowell's charitable status and billed the organization for a "payment in lieu of taxes". A lawyer for the town argued that "the Colony certainly benefits its artists-in-residence, but that doesn't strike us as being the general public."<ref>{{cite web| author=Winkleman, E. |date=November 1, 2005|url=http://www.edwardwinkleman.com/2005_11_01_archive.html| title= Local Government: McDowell Not Advancing Spiritual or Intellectual Well-Being of General Public| website=EdwardWinkleman.com}}</ref>

The then-Board of Directors paid the bill, then successfully challenged the charge.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brooks |first1=Anthony |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4956854|title=Town Demands Taxes from Long-Exempt Artists' Colony|date=October 13, 2005|work=All Things Considered|publisher=NPR|last2=Inskeep, Steve (Host)}}</ref> A 2007 Superior Court opinion found that the MacDowell Colony, by promoting the arts, was a charitable institution, a ruling that was upheld by the New Hampshire Supreme Court in a subsequent appeal.<ref name=supcourt>{{cite web| url=http://www.courts.state.nh.us/supreme/opinions/2008/macdo024.pdf| title=Town of Peterborough v. The MacDowell Colony, Inc.| date=March 14, 2008| publisher=The Supreme Court of New Hampshire| access-date=March 17, 2008}}</ref>{{rp|p13}} The appeal court found that "Contrary to the Town's assertions, MacDowell's articles of incorporation oblige it to use its property for its stated charitable purpose."<ref name=supcourt/>{{rp|p11}}

==Awards== In 1962, the site and buildings were designated a National Historic Landmark District.<ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name="nrhpinv2">{{cite book|last1=Bradford, S. Sydney|url={{NHLS url|id=66000026}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: MacDowell Colony|last2=Rettig, Polly M.|date=January 6, 1976|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Bradford, S. Sydney|url={{NHLS url|id=66000026|photos=y}}|title=Accompanying 5 photos, from 1907 and 1975|date=January 6, 1976|work=National Register of Historical Places Inventory-Nomination: MacDowell Colony|publisher=National Park Service|last2=Rettig, Polly}}</ref>

In 1997, MacDowell Colony was awarded the National Medal of Arts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nea.gov/honors/medals/medalists_year.html#97 |website=NEA.gov |title=Lifetime Honors |author=National Medal of Arts |date=1997 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826194408/http://www.nea.gov/honors/medals/medalists_year.html |archive-date=August 26, 2013 }}</ref>

== Notable works == thumb|right|Bond Hall in 2012 Notable works written, in whole or in part, by their authors at MacDowell include: * Leonard Bernstein completed his ''Mass''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macdowell.org/artists/leonard-bernstein |title=Leonard Bernstein |website=macdowell.org |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref> * James Baldwin worked on ''Giovanni's Room'' and ''Another Country''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macdowell.org/artists/james-baldwin |title=James Baldwin |website=macdowell.org |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref> * Willa Cather wrote parts of ''Death Comes for the Archbishop''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macdowell.org/artists/willa-cather |title=Willa Cather |website=macdowell.org |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref> * Michael Chabon wrote ''The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay'', a 2001 Pulitzer winner. Chabon served as chairman of the board from 2010 to 2020.<ref>Carolyn Kellog (December 7, 2010), "[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2010/12/michael-chabon-is-the-new-chair-of-the-macdowell-colony-board.html Michael Chabon named chairman of MacDowell Colony board]", ''Los Angeles Times''.</ref><ref name="Painter"/> * Aaron Copland worked there on composing the orchestral suite ''Appalachian Spring'' (1944), a 1945 Pulitzer winner.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.pulitzer.org/bycat/Music| title = The Pulitzer Prizes}}</ref> * Jonathan Franzen completed ''The Corrections''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macdowell.org/artists/jonathan-franzen |title=Jonathan Franzen |website=macdowell.org |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref> * Spalding Gray worked on his novel ''The Impossible Vacation'', and later chronicled his experiences in his extended monolog ''Monster in a Box''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macdowell.org/artists/spalding-gray |title=Spalding Gray |website=macdowell.org |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref> * DuBose Heyward and Dorothy Heyward wrote ''Porgy and Bess''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macdowell.org/artists/du-bose-heyward |title=DuBose Heyward |website=macdowell.org |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macdowell.org/artists/dorothy-heyward |title=Dorothy Heyward |website=macdowell.org |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref> * Helen Hooven Santmyer wrote ''Farewell, Summer'' in 1930 (published posthumously)<ref>{{cite book|last=Quay|first=Joyce Crosby|title=Early Promise, Late Reward: A Biography of Helen Hooven Santmyer, author of "...And Ladies of the Club"|publisher=Knowledge, Ideas and Trends|year=1995}}</ref> * Virgil Thomson worked on ''The Mother of Us All''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macdowell.org/artists/virgil-thomson |title=Virgil Thomson |website=macdowell.org |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref> * Alice Walker worked on her first novel and ''Meridian''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macdowell.org/artists/alice-walker |title=Alice Walker |website=macdowell.org |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref>{{better citation needed |date=July 2024 |reason=work not stated as being written at MacDowell in source}} * Joan Wickersham wrote her 2008 memoir ''The Suicide Index: Putting My Father's Death in Order'', the work would later become a finalist for the National Book Award<ref name="Solstice">{{cite web |last1=Brooks |first1=Melanie |title=Organizing Chaos: A Candid Conversation with Joan Wickersham... |url=https://solsticelitmag.org/content/organizing-chaos/ |website=solsticelitmag.org |publisher=Solstice Literary Magazine |access-date=19 February 2026 |date=31 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="National Book Award, Wickersham">{{cite web |title=The Suicide Index: Putting My Father’s Death in Order |url=https://www.nationalbook.org/books/the-suicide-index-putting-my-fathers-death-in-order/ |website=Nationalbook.org |publisher=National Book Foundation |access-date=19 February 2026}}</ref> * Thornton Wilder wrote ''Our Town'' and ''The Bridge of San Luis Rey''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macdowell.org/artists/thornton-wilder-1960-edward-macdowell-medalist |title=Thornton Wilder |website=macdowell.org |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading== *{{cite web |author=Siegel J. |url=http://www.charitygovernance.com/charity_governance/2008/03/a-victory-for-c.html |title=The blood sucking vampires are circling: a victory for charity that should make all charities nervous |website=Charity Governance Consulting LLC |date=March 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912054657/http://www.charitygovernance.com/charity_governance/2008/03/a-victory-for-c.html |archive-date=September 12, 2011 }} * [http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/marian-macdowell-founds-the-macdowell-colony/ New England Historical Society, "Marian MacDowell Founds the MacDowell Colony"]

== External links == {{Commons category|MacDowell Colony}} *[http://www.macdowell.org MacDowell] *[http://memory.loc.gov/service/mss/eadxmlmss/eadpdfmss/uploaded_pdf/ead_pdf_batch_27_July_2005/1996/ms996002.pdf Records of the MacDowell Colony, Library of Congress] *{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/macdowell/ |title=Exhibits: The MacDowell Colony 1907–2007|website= Library of Congress |date=2007}} *{{cite journal |last=Hagedorn |first=Hermann |date=December 28, 1921 |title=The Peterborough Colony: "A Workshop, With A Wonderland Thrown In," For Creative Workers In The Seven Arts |journal=The Outlook |volume=129 |pages=686–688 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sVroBrOJL64C&pg=PA686 |access-date=July 30, 2009 |publisher=Outlook Publishing Company, Inc. }} *Robin Rausch, [https://guides.loc.gov/american-women-essays/macdowell-colony "The House That Marian Built: The MacDowell Colony of Peterborough, New Hampshire,"] ''American Women: A Library of Congress Guide for the Study of Women's History and Culture in the United States.'' December 2001. Last updated May 29, 2019.

{{Laurel Leaf Award}} {{NHLs in NH}} {{NRHP in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire}} {{National Medal of Arts recipients 1990s}} {{Edward MacDowell}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Macdowell Colony}} Category:Artist residencies in the United States Category:Peterborough, New Hampshire Category:Buildings and structures in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Category:United States National Medal of Arts recipients Category:1907 establishments in New Hampshire Category:National Historic Landmarks in New Hampshire Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in New Hampshire Category:Houses in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Category:National Register of Historic Places in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire