ARCHITECTS | COMPOSERS | FILMMAKERS | INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTISTS | THEATRE | VISUAL ARTISTS | WRITERS MacDowell FREEDOM TO CREATE ANNUAL REPORT April, 2007 through March, 2008 THE The MacDowell Colony nurtures the arts by offering creative individuals of the highest talent an inspiring environment in which to produce enduring MISSION works of the imagination. The Colony was founded in 1907 by American composer Edward MacDowell and Marian MacDowell, his wife. Since its inception, the Colony has supported the work of more than 6,000 women and men of exceptional ability. Situated on 450 acres of woodlands and fields in Peterborough, New Hampshire, the Colony offers 32 studios to artists in seven disciplines. MacDowell is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Works of art conceived, developed, and completed during residencies at the Colony have added immeasurably to our country’s cultural life. In 1997, The MacDowell Colony was awarded the National Medal of Arts for “nurturing and inspiring many of this century’s finest artists.” More than 250 Fellows work at the Colony each year from all parts of the United States and abroad. Anyone may apply. The sole criterion for acceptance is talent as judged by a juried committee in the applicant’s discipline. A Fellowship lasts from two weeks to two months. Accepted artists are given a private studio in which to work as well as room and all meals. There is no fee. The Colony encourages artists from all backgrounds to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, handicap, sex, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin. To continue to provide an ideal working environment for gifted artists, The MacDowell Colony depends on public interest and generosity and is grateful to the many who have given their support. Writer Joe Fox working in Sorosis Studio. “MacDowell has always been a blessing to my work, but this time it actually saved the life of my book. I was lost when I got here, now I’m found. The amazing grace of MacDowell!” – Michael Chabon, writer Colony Fellow names throughout the report are listed in bold. Covers (front and back): Colony Fellow Centennial Reunion Picnic in New York’s Central Park. Photos by Joanna Eldredge Morrissey and Steve Tucker. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN The past year has been glorious for MacDowell. The burst of national publicity attending our Centennial celebrations has already produced a 16 percent increase in applications for Fellowships. Competition for places may thus become a little fiercer, but the board and staff are determined that the unique MacDowell experience will not be diluted. Colony Hall has been restructured, moving the offices upstairs to create more social space for Colonists, and a shining new kitchen has been installed. We continue to push ahead with our efforts to find the money to enlarge Savidge Library, to build a new studio for interdisciplinary arts, and to establish stipends that will permit artists in financial need to come here. All of these are fitting projects with which to crown our first century and launch us into the second. And that century has begun with a ringing endorsement of the public importance of the arts. In March, the New Hampshire Supreme Court unanimously reaffirmed the Colony’s tax-exempt status, adding: “By fostering creation of the arts, MacDowell serves a charitable purpose for the benefit of the general public.” In 2004, the Rand Corporation concluded after a major study: “As late as the 1960s and 1970s, the value of the arts was still a given for the American public. By the 1990s, however, the social and political pressures that culminated in what became known as the ‘culture wars’ put pressure on arts advocates to articulate the public value of the arts.” Perhaps that tide, political and cultural, has begun to turn. Robert MacNeil Chairman REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR It feels so good to be 101. As we turn the page on our Centennial celebration, MacDowell is as vibrant as the 240 creative artists whose latest work is described in this report. They came from all over the United States and abroad to make the best use of their talents in a place free of distractions. We offer them a rare opportunity: the complete freedom to actually accomplish what they set out to do. In this annual report, we chart the Centennial year that took much of our attention. The entire staff and board of directors, multitudes of Colony Fellows, and countless volunteers enthusiastically devoted their energy to making 2007 an extraordinary success. We invite you to read the Centennial section in the following pages that shares some of the highlights. Of course, art making and merrymaking were not the only activities. Leading up to 2007, three plant projects were successfully initiated and completed, coinciding symbolically with the Centennial: the restored Log Cabin, Edward’s original studio, built in 1898 for him by Mrs. MacDowell; Schelling Studio, the first official studio built in 1907, was entirely renovated, including replacement of its extraordinary bark siding; and finally, the largest project — a magnificent and thorough renovation of Colony Hall. In two phases this much-loved building used by all the artists-in-residence and housing the administrative offices in Peterborough was given a top-to-bottom overhaul. A new maintenance shop with three garage bays now provides better working space for the devoted crew that cares for the 40 buildings on the property. Bruss Construction and Tim Groesbeck Builders beautifully realized the designs by O’Neil Pennoyer Architects working under the careful management of Resident Director David Macy. MacDowell engenders passion not only in its artists but also in its supporters, including an incredibly active board of directors. This fiscal year saw many committees working to make progress in several key institutional areas. Our annual financial planning meeting gave us a very clear understanding of our needs and the resources required to sustain the Colony. Our Campaign for the Second Century is taking off with outstandingly generous gifts, some of which have already been put to work with projects like Colony Hall and the establishment of the Leon Levy Grants, which allow us to expand financial aid to all artists in need. We have many exciting things we would like to do, and you will be hearing about them as we take the campaign into the public phase. In 2004, we reported in these pages that as a result of the discipline-specific review we conduct each year to assess our program, the Admissions Committee set the goal of attracting more playwrights to the Colony. We established a separate panel process for theatre and began to build awareness of the opportunity within the theatre community. This year an all-time high of 26 playwrights were awarded Fellowships. MacDowell’s admissions panels have the daunting task of identifying the most promising artists from a field of applicants that has steadily grown. As a country we should be proud that the number of practicing artists and the level of their training has reached unprecedented levels. Fortunately, to meet the demand, the 2 number of residency opportunities both here and abroad has grown from a couple dozen programs to literally hundreds. We are proud to be engaged in discussions with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Alliance of Artists Communities about how best to fulfill the needs of those who are making such important contributions to culture. If we can help artists reach their potential, then everyone benefits. The New Hampshire Supreme Court case regarding our charitable status and property tax exemption, which began in 2005 and resulted this spring in that status being upheld, has given us greater visibility on the national stage, and the Colony will continue to work alone and with other organizations to advocate for artists as contributors to society. This report comes with acknowledgement of the fine work by David Macy, who manages the day-to-day operations of the residency program, community outreach, and more; and Wendy Belser, director of development, who, with her team, ensures that we have the resources we rely upon. Earlier this year, Wendy developed a long-range strategy designed to broaden and deepen our support base. In a reorganization of the Development office, Elena Quevedo was promoted to director of special events and is working with two terrific volunteer committees on the national benefit in New York and the New Hampshire benefit. She has also been focusing on Medal Day underwriting as well as coordinating Colony Fellow events to introduce new supporters to the Colony. Because the Centennial required additional efforts, all members of the staff — in Admissions, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Development, the Kitchen, Finance, Communications, and both New York and New Hampshire administrations — deserve recognition for the above-and-beyond work done this year. Their ongoing thoughtfulness and dedication help make MacDowell a seamless and effective organization. This year marks a transition in leadership of the national benefit held in New York. The incomparable team of Helen Tucker and Ruth Feder handed the reins to Stephanie and Bob Olmsted after an extraordinary run of 18 years as cochairs of this annual event. All four are working with gusto on this year’s benefit, which will be held on December 2nd at 7 World Trade Center, building on the extraordinary success of last year’s gala at Roseland. Giving generously does not only occur at our fundraising events; MacDowell artists also donate so that others may follow in their footsteps. Many remember the Colony through bequests that sustain and increase what we do. Ted Berkman, Jane Cooper, Vail P.