MacDowell, Art colony in Peterborough, United States.
MacDowell is an art colony on a farm property in Peterborough, New Hampshire, with roughly 32 individual studios scattered across wooded grounds. The site provides private workspace and residential accommodations set within a rural landscape.
The residency began in 1907 when composer Edward MacDowell and pianist Marian MacDowell converted their summer home into a creative retreat. Following Edward's death, his wife continued the vision and developed it into an influential institution.
The place hosts creators across many disciplines, from musicians and writers to visual artists and filmmakers working side by side. Today's visitors notice how these different creative practices coexist in one community.
Artists receive a private studio, accommodation, daily meals, and uninterrupted work periods ranging from two weeks to two months. The grounds are accessible and equipped with all facilities needed for extended stays.
Each studio includes a grand piano, allowing composers and musicians to continue their practice – a custom that persists to this day. This tradition connects the legacy of Edward MacDowell with the creative work happening there now.
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