MacDowell, an artist residency in Peterborough, New Hampshire, USA, awards about 300 Fellowships a year in architecture, film/video, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre and visual arts.
Fellows get a private studio, lodging and meals for two to eight weeks to work independently on a proposed project; no teaching or supplies are provided. Selection rests on artistic excellence alone, judged by anonymous expert panels in each discipline.
Benefits & funding
- No residency fee; private studio, accommodation and three meals a day
- Stay of up to eight weeks (average 30 days; at least two weeks recommended)
- Need-based stipend of up to US$1,500, set by length of stay and need
- Need-based reimbursement of domestic or international travel
- Long-form journalism and nonfiction projects are considered for a Calderwood grant of up to US$2,500
Eligibility
- Artists of any nationality, emerging or established, in the seven disciplines
- Not enrolled in a degree-seeking program during the residency season (doctoral candidates who have finished all coursework may apply)
- One application, in one discipline, per 24 months
- Text-based work samples must be in English; conversational English is recommended, as no interpreters are provided
- Teams of 2–3 apply individually with a joint project description; collectives of 3–12 with an established practice use one application (up to 10 accepted per season)
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Apply online with a project proposal, professional history and discipline-specific work samples, generally completed within the past four years
- 2No reference letters are currently required
- 3Pay a nonrefundable US$30 fee; a waiver for financial hardship or sanctions can be requested until three business days before the deadline
- 4Submit by 10 February 2027 for Fall/Winter 2027–28; results come about 2.5 months after the deadline
Program timeline
Spring/Summer 2027 deadline (passed; residencies Mar 1, 2027 to Aug 31, 2027)
Sep 10, 2026
Fall/Winter 2027–28 applications open
Jan 15, 2027
Fall/Winter deadline
Feb 10, 2027
Fall/Winter decisions
End of April 2027
Fall/Winter residencies
Sep 1, 2027 to Feb 29, 2028