Founded in 1907 by composer Edward MacDowell and pianist Marian MacDowell, his wife, MacDowell nurtures the arts by awarding Fellowships to artists of exceptional talent, providing time, space, and an inspiring environment in which they can do creative work. 

The more than 9,600 artists who have benefited from a residency at MacDowell include such notables as Willa Cather, Aaron Copland, Thornton Wilder, Leonard Bernstein, James Baldwin, Jonathan Franzen, and Suzan-Lori Parks, to name but a few. A registered National Historic Landmark, MacDowell was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1997.

A MacDowell Fellowship (awarded through a competitive application process) consists of a residency up to six weeks and includes a private studio, housing, and three meals per day. MacDowell is designed to facilitate a balance between social interaction and focus on work. Private studios available to artists 24 hours a day, together with the dining and recreation rooms at the main hall, combine to provide an environment adaptable to each individual's needs.