Up to eight weeks of dedicated studio time, housing, meals, and need-based financial assistance for artists working across seven disciplines in Peterborough, New Hampshire.
Table of Contents
The MacDowell Fellowship 2027 application is open for artists seeking focused time to develop their work in residence at MacDowell in Peterborough, New Hampshire. The Spring Summer 2027 cycle runs from March 1 through August 31, 2027, with individual Fellowships lasting two to eight weeks. Fellows receive exclusive use of a private studio, accommodations, and three prepared meals each day. There are no residency fees. Artists with demonstrated financial need may also request stipends of up to $1,500 and travel assistance. The application deadline is September 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
OF THE FIELD.
MacDowell Fellowship 2027 Snapshot
What: MacDowell Fellowship, Spring Summer 2027
Who: Artists working in architecture, film/video, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts. MacDowell encourages applications from artists of all backgrounds and all countries.
Where: MacDowell, Peterborough, New Hampshire, United States
Award / Support: Exclusive use of a private studio, accommodations, and three prepared meals a day. There are no residency fees. Need-based stipends of up to $1,500 are available to artists awarded a Fellowship, based on residency duration and financial need. Travel grants are also available based on financial need.
Application Fee: $30 USD nonrefundable processing fee
Residency Duration: Two to eight weeks
Residency Period: March 1 through August 31, 2027
Deadline: September 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
Official Link: https://www.macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship
Strategy Coach Notes: https://www.patreon.com/pformart/posts/macdowell-2027-167647590
Get The Application Strategy
MacDowell receives applications across seven distinct disciplines, and each discipline has its own work sample requirements. Applicants should begin by identifying the discipline that best represents the work they intend to pursue during the residency and then prepare the required materials for that category. MacDowell’s application guidelines, discipline definitions, work sample requirements, financial assistance information, and FAQ provide important information for preparing the application. Members of the Contemporary Performance Network can access our Strategy Coach Notes, which break down the application structure, work sample strategy, discipline selection, and ways to create alignment across the application.
About the MacDowell Fellowship 2027
MacDowell provides artists with uninterrupted time and a private studio in Peterborough, New Hampshire. The residency program supports approximately 300 artists each year across architecture, film/video, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts. MacDowell encourages applications from artists of all backgrounds and all countries. Applicants may submit only one application every 24 months.
For Spring Summer 2027, individual Fellowships can last from two to eight weeks during the March 1 through August 31 residency period. MacDowell reports that the average stay is approximately 30 days. Small collaborative teams of two or three people may apply through the regular application process. Established artist collectives of three to twelve people working on a joint project may also apply under one application.
What Is Offered
- A residency of two to eight weeks
- Exclusive use of a private studio
- Accommodations during the Fellowship
- Three prepared meals each day
- No residency fees
- Need-based stipends of up to $1,500
- Need-based travel grants
- Financial assistance that may help cover expenses including rent, utilities, and childcare
Need-based financial assistance is available after an artist has been awarded a Fellowship. Stipend amounts depend on the duration of the residency and demonstrated financial need. Travel assistance is also determined by financial need, with applicants providing an itemized accounting of travel costs.
Who Should Apply
MacDowell encourages applications from artists of all backgrounds and all countries. Applicants must apply within one of seven disciplines: architecture, film/video, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, or visual arts.
The discipline selection matters because MacDowell provides separate application and work sample requirements by discipline. Artists working across forms should review the interdisciplinary arts guidelines alongside the requirements for the individual disciplines that relate to their practice before choosing where to submit.
Artists may submit only one application every 24 months.
Small collaborative teams of two or three people may apply through the regular application process. Established artist collectives of three to twelve people working on a joint project may apply under one application.
MacDowell Fellowship 2027 Timeline
Applications Open: August 17, 2026
Application Deadline: September 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
Spring/Summer 2027 Residency Period: March 1 through August 31, 2027
Individual Fellowship Length: Two to eight weeks
Why The MacDowell Fellowship 2027 Matters
MacDowell provides a substantial package of direct residency support. Fellows receive private studio space, accommodations, and three prepared meals each day without paying a residency fee. The program also addresses some of the financial costs that can make extended residency periods difficult for working artists. Artists awarded a Fellowship can apply for need-based stipends of up to $1,500 and travel assistance. The seven-discipline structure also accommodates a wide range of practices, including theatre and interdisciplinary arts alongside literature, visual arts, film/video, architecture, and music composition.
OF THE FIELD.
Apply
Deadline: September 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
Official Link: https://www.macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship
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