Intimate NYC gathering brings together iconic artists of our time to celebrate the cultural legacy of James Baldwin and engage in conversation about creativity
New York, NY – November 14, 2024 – MacDowell is excited to announce MacDowell Presents 2024, an intimate annual event that brings together iconic artists of our time to engage in conversation about creativity and the enduring influence of art, will be hosted at the historic Hotel Chelsea on December 2nd. This year, MacDowell will bring back this signature event featuring American choreographer, director, author, and dancer Bill T. Jones, critically acclaimed actress, director, producer, advocate, and visual artist Lucy Liu, and award-winning author Marlon James, as well as a special introduction by MacDowell Fellow and Baldwin scholar Nicholas Boggs. The centennial celebration will also include a special tribute to the legacy of James Baldwin, who was a MacDowell Fellow multiple times between 1954 and 1960 and whose influence on the American consciousness endures today.
"James Baldwin’s unparalleled ability to dissect the complexities of identity and the human condition has left an indelible mark on the world,” said Chiwoniso Kaitano, MacDowell’s Executive Director. “As we celebrate his centennial year, we recognize the profound impact his work has had and honor his legacy as one that continues to guide and inspire generations of artists and thinkers."
Inspired by MacDowell’s Chairman’s Evening, started by bestselling author and former Board Chair Michael Chabon, this signature event exemplifies MacDowell’s mission to shine a light on the impact that art can have on society. The intimate gathering features luminary artists and the type of unscripted, interdisciplinary discussions that happen over dinner every night between artists-in-residence on MacDowell’s 450-acre New Hampshire campus – the place Baldwin affectionately referred to as a “sanctuary for writing.”
Open by invitation to MacDowell friends and supporters, this year-end event has been a cornerstone of MacDowell’s fundraising efforts, bringing together art lovers to champion the creative community. All proceeds support residencies for the more than 300 artists who come to MacDowell each year from around the world. Past MacDowell Chairman’s Evening event participants include: Laurie Anderson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Margaret Atwood, Martin Scorsese, Lonnie Bunch III, Paul Simon, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Stephen Sondheim, Lena Dunham, Patti Smith, Sally Field, Zadie Smith, Tony Kushner, and Carrie Mae Weems.
For more information, please contact Jericho Parms, Director of Development & Communications at jparms@macdowell.org or 212-535-9690.
