The Residency and MARC

For well over 150 years, Monhegan Island has inspired countless artists, including Robert Henri, George Bellows, Rockwell Kent, Reuben Tam, Elena Jahn and Jamie Wyeth, to name a few. While Monhegan continues to attract artists from across the country and around the world, it is increasingly difficult for Maine artists to find affordable housing for an extended visit on the island. The Monhegan Artists' Residency is designed to give back to Maine artists part of their heritage and tradition. Each year the residency program offers two emerging Maine artists the opportunity to work without constraints on Monhegan Island . 

The program consists of two five-week-long residencies (generally, the first begins in June, the second in July). One artist is selected for each residency. Loosely modeled on the MacDowell Colony and Vermont Studio programs, the Monhegan Artists' Residency does not require that the artist produce a body of work, although the residency should be viewed as an excellent opportunity for professional development. Each artist will receive a stipend of $500 to cover food and other basic expenses. Because of the size of the cottage and studio, which are simply but adequately furnished, and because the residency program is designed to provide a brief respite from the day-to-day cares of family and work, no guests (including family members) are allowed to stay at during the residency.

The Monhegan Artists' Residency program is administered by the Monhegan Artists Residency Corporation (MARC), a nonprofit organization with IRS 501(c) (3) status. The MARC Board of Directors is responsible for raising funds to support the two annual artist residencies on Monhegan. Funding comes from gifts and donations from many individuals in Maine and beyond, as well as from organizations like the Farnsworth Art Museum , numerous Maine art galleries, foundations, and other granting entities. Please click on the Support MARC link on this website to find out how you can contribute.