Mu Tau Mu of Alpha Chi Omega

MTM is honored to have been asked by @EstelleLeonard to help promote February's Alpha Chi Omega MacDowell Month by providing a way to celebrate each Monday in January. Today is our first Monday and we thought we'd start with the basics!

Educate your chapter about MacDowell Month

Plan a presentation at a chapter meeting or Chi Connection; film and share a video; and/or post on your blog, website or MCR forum about MacDowell Month.

What is MacDowell Month?

From alphachiomega.org: "Named for the MacDowell artists' colony in New Hampshire (Alpha Chi Omega’s first philanthropic project), this month (February) also honors our founders’ heritage as musicians. During MacDowell Month, our members are encouraged to attend exhibitions, see plays, take in concerts, and otherwise celebrate and patronize the arts."

What is Alpha Chi Omega's relationship with MacDowell Colony?

From alphachiomega.org: "Alpha Chi Omega’s founders were music students and appreciated the arts in general. And one of Alpha Chi Omega’s early members, Marian Nevins MacDowell (Zeta, New England Conservatory of Music), worked with her composer husband to create a community on their New Hampshire farm “where artists could work in an ideal place in the stimulating company of peers.” 

As a result of this connection, the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation has long supported the Star Studio at the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough. In fact, the Star Studio was built in 1911 with funds from Alpha Chi Omega. It was our organization’s first altruistic project. 

The Foundation also supports Alpha Chi Omega fellowships in honor of Fay Barnaby Kent for professional artists and writers who need financial aid to study at the Colony."

Resources:

MacDowell Colony has a wonderful rich website that is a joy to explore. Visit it at http://www.macdowell.org 

PBS Art:21 produced a beautiful video "MacDowell Moments" which can be viewed here.

Beta Sigma chapter (University of Georgia) made 2 funny and informative videos for MacDowell Month in 2007 and 2008. Watch them on youtube: MacDowell Month and Single Ladies: Alpha Chi Omega Founders

We'd love to hear about how you plan to educate your chapter about MacDowell Month so please comment below! And stay tuned as each Monday we offer a new way to prepare for February!