History of the Audubon Artist Residency at Hog Island

Writer and editor Mabel Loomis Todd and her husband, Amherst College astronomer David Todd, became enamored with Hog Island in 1908. They subsequently purchased a portion of the island and constructed a small cluster of buildings for the family’s summer getaway- a place to enjoy the lush forests, rocky shorelines, and marine and terrestrial wildlife of the rugged Maine coast.

After Mabel’s death in 1932, her daughter Millicent Todd Bingham acquired the rest of the 300-acre island. In 1935 Millicent reached an agreement with the National Audubon Society to manage and use the property to educate teachers about the environment. Hog Island Audubon Camp and the Todd Wildlife Sanctuary opened in 1936.

In 2012 an extensive program was undertaken by the Friends of Hog Island to restore the Todd/Bingham compound’s original Main Lodge and Writer’s Cabin structures as well as their purpose as a creative retreat. The “Bingham Cottages,” as they are now known, serve as home base for the Audubon Artist-in-Residence and provide a unique rustic retreat. This setting provides an opportunity for our artists to unplug and immerse themselves in the natural surroundings.

The Audubon camp operates about 3/4-mile away from the Bingham Cottages, providing a place for participants of all ages to enjoy hands-on nature discovery. We encourage artist residents to feel welcome in the camp community and to engage with campers while in residence.

While the Audubon Residency is open to artists in all disciplines and subject matter, we are particularly interested in facilitating artists whose work brings a broader appreciation of the natural environment, culture, and/or history of the coastal Maine ecosystem, and/or supports the mission of the Seabird Institute to promote the conservation of seabirds and their critical habitats.

We have four Residency positions available for the 2025 Season, one each during the weeks of June 8-20, July 13-25, August 10-22, and August 24-September 5.

The application for the 2025 season will open on December 10, 2024 on Call For Entry (CaFE). The deadline to apply is January 31st. Notifications will be sent by mid-March.  

The rustic nature of the facility means that it is not for everyone, so PLEASE READ THE FAQs PAGE and be sure the situation will work for you before applying.