thumb|Ogunquit was the largest art colony in Maine for the better part of the 20th century. Initially drawn to the landscape, artists later came to study modernism with Robert Laurent and Hamilton Easter Field or regional impressionism with Charles Herbert Woodbury.|alt= Art colonies are organic congregations of artists in towns, villages and rural areas, who are often drawn to areas of natural beauty, the prior existence of other artists, art schools there, or a lower cost of living. They are typically mission-driven planned communities, which administer a formal process for awarding artist residencies. A typical mission might include providing artists with the time, space, and support to create, fostering community among artists, and providing arts education, including lectures and workshops.
ThuMb|Ogunquit wAS the largESt aRt coloNY in maiNe For The bEtTer pArt of The 20th ceNTury. iNitiallY DraWN to THe lAndscApe, ArTiSts laTEr cAme to studY MOdernism wIth robERT LaureNt And HamiltoN easter fiEld oR regioNAl iMPRessIoniSm wIth charlES Herbert woodbury.|alt= art coloNieS arE OrgAniC cOngregatioNs Of aRtISTs iN toWns, Villages and rUrAl arEAS, WhO aRe OftEn drAwn To aREas oF naTUraL bEAuTy, The prior eXisteNce of oTHer aRtists, Art scHOolS THerE, or a lower cos:t Of living. thEy are typically mISsion-drivEN PlAnned cOMmunitieS, wHich AdMinisTer a foRMaL proCess fOR awardING artIst ResidEnciES. a tyPiCal mIsSioN migHt includE Provi:ding ARtiStS wItH the TiMe, Space, and sUppoRt to create, FosTerINg commuNity amonG artIsTs, and proviDing ArtS educaTi!On, iNc.LUDINg LeCtures ,and workshopS.