Mission:

The mission of the The Grant Wood Art Colony is to nurture creative work and teaching in disciplines relevant to the art and life of Grant Wood - studio art and art history, and eventually expanding to a variety of disciplines. The program exemplifies The University of Iowa’s historic commitment to creative work and pioneering of the MFA degree. The Grant Wood Art Colony will further embody the “Iowa Idea” of bringing artists and scholars together in an academic context, as first formulated in the 1920s by President Walter Jessup and Graduate Dean Carl Seashore. Our long-term goal is to create a vibrant colony and cultural center, woven together by gardens and studio space.

Stages of Development:

The Grant Wood Art Colony has taken possession of 1131 E. Burlington St. Under the direction of the School of Art and Art History, this house is used for staff offices, a studio, an upstairs residence for one Grant Wood Fellow, and a reception area. A second residence was added in the fall of 2012 at 1205 E. Burlington. This residence is a two bedroom family housing unit.The Grant Wood Colony currently produces a biennial Grant Wood Symposium, and the Grant Wood Fellowship Program.

Fellowship Program:

The Grant Wood Fellowship program currently provides two one-year, post-MFA/post-doctoral fellowships. Fellows are selected through a national competition and provided with furnished living quarters at The Grant Wood Art Colony. During the academic year each fellow will teach a total of two courses at the School of Art and Art History, leaving the rest of the time for the artist’s own work and research. A teaching salary, benefits and studio are provided.

For more informationplease contact:
   Saffron Henke   (saffron-henke@uiowa.edu)
   Assistant Director for The Grant Wood Art Colony
   1131 E. Burlington St.
   Iowa City, IA 52240