Since its founding in 1989, the Mary Anderson Center for the Arts has offered artists regionally, nationally and internationally time and space to create.

Located on the grounds of Mount St. Francis, a Franciscan Friary and Retreat Center, the Center began as a secular outgrowth of the vision of the Conventional Franciscan Friars to continue their 700 year heritage of fostering spiritual, cultural, and educational expressions. In serving as host for the Mary Anderson Center, Mount St. Francis offers a setting of unsurpassed calm and beauty for body and mind.

The name and inspiration for the Center came from 19th century Louisville actress, Mary Anderson, who originally owned the 400 acres that became Mount St. Francis. By giving the land to the stewardship of the Friars, she hoped to preserve its natural environment.

Writers, visual artists and musicians who come to the Center define "work" for themselves, according to their own needs. For some, retreat from the pressures of their everyday lives offers them the opportunity to focus all of their thoughts on the ideas which inspire their art. Others adopt prodigious work schedules, finishing projects it would have taken months to do in their home setting.

Artists can hike trails that wind through hills, forests, meadows or savor the ever changing moods of the natural lake.

The Mary Anderson Center offers some fully-funded fellowships each September and partially-funded Work Exchange Grants.

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This activity is made possible in part
by the Indiana Arts Commission,
a state agency, with funds from
the Indiana General Assembly and
the National Endowment for the Arts.