Summer Sparks: How Chautauqua Arts Education Is Lighting Up Young Minds Across the County
This summer, something magical is happening across Chautauqua County. Classrooms are transforming into stages, lawns into galleries, and ordinary afternoons into unforgettable adventures. Chautauqua Arts Education is in full swing, expanding its reach and deepening its impact through vibrant partnerships and imaginative programming.
At the heart of this summer’s story is the Young Playwrights Project (YPP), now in its third season with the Jamestown Summer LEAP program. Picture this: a group of rising first through fifth graders huddled together, giggling and brainstorming as they dream up characters, settings and plots. Under the guidance of lead teaching artist Alex Nader and her dynamic team — Andrew Barbato, Gaby Hornig and Emily Olcott — these young storytellers craft original plays that reflect their creativity and collaboration.
But the real magic happens on Fridays. That’s when the students journey to Chautauqua Institution, where they transform their stories into living theater. They create vibrant backdrops and then watch in awe as their plays are brought to life by the YPP teaching artists. Over two weeks, nearly 180 students will experience the thrill of seeing their imaginations take center stage.
And the excitement doesn’t stop there.
Throughout the summer, 160 more students from the Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys and Girls Club and the Jamestown YMCA are stepping into the world of Chautauqua. On select afternoons, they explore the four pillars of Chautauqua through immersive experiences that could include meeting the musicians of the Music School Festival Orchestra, seeing a command performance of Chautauqua School of Dance, marveling at visual art in the galleries, feeling the rhythm in drumming workshops, and diving into drama with the Chautauqua Theater Company. Each visit is topped off with a splash at Children’s Beach — because every great adventure needs a sweet and sunny ending.
“We work with the leadership of each of our partner organizations to ensure the students’ Chautauqua experience is custom-made to their specific goals and needs,” said Director of Arts Education Suzanne Fassett-Wright. “We strive to balance the four pillars with the joy of simply being here — walking through Bestor Plaza, relaxing on the grounds, and soaking in the spirit of Chautauqua.”
This summer also marks a new chapter: the debut of a summer residency of “Feelin’ the Beat,” a drumming and social-emotional learning program reaching three Little Seeds Preschool sites. After a successful school-year run, the preschool leaders requested an encore — and Chautauqua Arts Education delivered. Resident Teaching Artist Rachel Lykins and Fassett-Wright are bringing rhythm, reflection and joy to 80 young learners through a four-week series of interactive sessions.
From preschoolers to fifth graders and from playwriting to painting, this summer is a celebration of creativity, connection and community. Chautauqua Arts Education isn’t just running full steam ahead — it’s building a vibrant, inclusive arts movement that’s shaping the next generation, one joyful experience at a time.