Comparisons

I'm thinking of the similarities and differences between Kimmel Harding and MacDowell.

Kimmel Harding is a more independent, unstructured setup. You are responsible for getting your own groceries and cooking for yourself, which is facilitated by the fact that it's in the middle of an (albeit small) town. At MacDowell, a fantastic kitchen staff prepares three meals a day and serves them at specific times. As for you using that commercial kitchen to heat up some chowder -- nope, chump. Leave that to the pros.

Kimmel Harding is by far more consolidated than MacDowell. While Kimmel Harding is one building that incorporates gallery and office space as well as apartments, studio space, and a downstairs lounge and workspace, MacDowell is spread out across something like 450 acres of pretty amazing territory in the forested hills above Peterborough. The 32 studios are all strategically placed so not one is within sight the other, quite a difference from Kimmel Harding where from my back porch I could hear Anthony playing piano and see Emily and Naomi working in the studios across the courtyard.

What's the same?

They're places for people with dreams and the talent and drive to make them happen. They're run by people who are not cynical, but truly believe in the power of the arts in today's world -- and in tomorrow's. They are good things in the world, and I have been lucky to be part of both.