Pathway to Financial Resilience Update from Kyle Keogh

Dear Chautauquans,

With sincere gratitude and appreciation for your valued contributions to the community, I write to share an important update as we navigate a challenging chapter in Chautauqua’s journey.

As we shared in our summer meetings, Chautauqua is undergoing a much-needed evaluation of how best to ensure our long-term financial resilience. As a part of this process, we have determined we must take decisive action to achieve a net budget reduction of $4-6 million. To achieve this objective, we have made the difficult decision to reduce staffing levels and operational budgets as we reorganize our operating model to improve performance, increase efficiency, and build a more collaborative, cross-functional organization.

Today, we completed notifications to staff whose roles have been changed or eliminated as part of our reorganization. This process has resulted in a 20% reduction in our workforce, bringing us to 124 full-time, year-round employees. For context, we had 111 full-time, year-round staff pre-pandemic, when our attendance levels were higher than they are now. As part of this, we reduced leadership positions at the Associate Vice President level and above by 50%, from 14 positions to 7. To the extent possible, we leveraged vacant positions and voluntary resignations and retirements in this process.

With regard to staff moving forward, our compensation philosophy remains rooted in fairness and sustainability. To achieve $3.3 M in staff reductions and reorganization, we are reducing the Institution’s discretionary retirement contribution. At the same time, vice presidents have taken a salary reduction.

These decisions were not made lightly. They reflect the need to align our spending with realistic income projections. Our 2025 summer attendance did not meet our goals, annual philanthropy has remained relatively flat, and operating costs— including those tied to program and compliance with New York State employment regulations—have continued to rise beyond what we can absorb through pricing, fundraising, or new business efforts.

This is not simply a reduction in staff and a reduction of operating budgets—it is a reimagining of how we work together to achieve a more collaborative, cross-functional team. The Financial Sustainability Working Group of the Board, along with senior leadership, have approached this process with care and intention. Our goal is to build a more resilient future while continuing to deliver on Chautauqua’s mission and values.

As we move forward, our focus will be on:

Preserving and enhancing the Summer Assembly patron experience.

Strategically reducing operating costs both within and outside of the Summer Assembly through a more collaborative, cross-functional operating model that is focused on the Summer Assembly.

Continuing to invest in the staff experience, ensuring that all feel supported, valued, and empowered in their work.

We know this update will raise many questions that are not answered here, and we understand and sincerely appreciate the deep care and concern you have for Chautauqua and its people. We remain committed to transparency and compassion throughout this process, and at this time, we are focused on supporting those whose roles have been impacted. We are also supporting the remaining staff who are adapting to a new paradigm and helping to shape our path forward. We ask for your patience and understanding as we move through the early stages of this reorganization. Your continued engagement and support are more important than ever.

We will host a more detailed conversation with the community about our work to achieve a net operating budget reduction of $5.7 million on Monday, September 22, at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. You can register for Monday’s meeting below.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Chautauqua. Together, we will continue to steward this extraordinary institution with care, creativity, and hope for the future.

All the best,

Kyle F. Keogh
Interim Chief Executive