The Phi Beta Studio for Creative Artists is located at The MacDowell in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Completed in 1931, the cottage has housed more than 50 composers, playwrights, poets, and writers during their stay at this famous art institution. The Fraternity maintains the studio, but its use is directed by the Admissions Committee of the Edward MacDowell Association without Phi Beta intervention.
In 1896, composer Edward MacDowell purchased a quiet property in Peterborough, New Hampshire, where he could compose without distraction. One hundred and fourteen years later, Edward’s dream of sharing this place to inspire other artists is alive and well. This beautiful collection of cottages in the woods is a unique maker-space where visual artists, writers, composers, filmmakers, architects, theatre professionals, and interdisciplinary artists are free to experiment, take risks, and dare to fail.
Edward’s wife, Marian, oversaw most of the cottage building on the property. Phi Beta donated funds to build a cottage from granite quarried from the property. Since 1931, Phi Beta’s cottage has provided a long list of artists of various types, a place to create in peace.
Phi Beta continues to support the MacDowell annually. The Admissions Committee of the Edward MacDowell Association chooses fellows to spend time in the cottage each season. Fellows spend a minimum of two weeks, and up to eight weeks, on-campus creating work. Among some of the cottage’s more well-known visitors are:
- Mary Higgins Clark
- Richard Danielpour
- David Del Tredici
- Karen Joy Fowler
- Adrian Nicole LeBlanc
- Tania León
- Burle Marx
- Suzan-Lori Parks
- Ann Patchett
- Dee Rees
- Rachel Sheinkin
- Louise Talma
- Lynne Tillman
- Doug Wright
- Jessica Yu
Learn more at macdowell.org.
