Chautauqua Institution is pleased to announce seven exceptional books as the 2024 finalists for The Chautauqua Prize, now in its 13th year:    In another year of a record-breaking number of submissions from publishers, agents and authors, these seven books represent the variety and vitality of The Chautauqua Prize. Awarded annually since 2012, the Prize draws upon Chautauqua Institution’s considerable literary legacy to celebrate a book that provides a richly rewarding reading experience and to honor the author for a significant contribution to the literary arts. The winning book will be selected from these finalists and announced by early June.   ...

In another record-breaking year for submissions, Jung’s “Right Before the Fall” was selected by guest judge, Jimin Han, among twelve finalists. “What a pleasure to read these twelve finalists’ work for the Janus Prize. The range of experimentation was exciting to see,” said Han. “Thanks to the committee who narrowed the group down to these finalists. I’m sure it was very challenging. Gratitude to all who nominated writers and to those who submitted their work.”  The 2024 prize recipient, Olivia Jung, will receive the $5,000 prize, plus a $2,000 travel and lodging stipend. She will give a public lecture and...

Chautauqua Literary Arts and the Department of Education at Chautauqua Institution are pleased to announce twelve finalists for the 2024 Chautauqua Janus Prize. To be awarded this summer for the seventh time, the Janus Prize has enjoyed a steady increase of interest among emerging writers and this year saw another record-breaking number of submissions.   This year, a record number of more than 210 writers entered work to be considered for the prize that looks to celebrate an emerging writer’s single work of short fiction or nonfiction for daring formal and aesthetic innovations that upset and reorder readers’ imagination.   The twelve...

Chautauqua Institution today announced spring residencies, including Yue Yin Dance Company (YYDC) and Gamelan Dharma Swara. YYDC is set to return to Chautauqua to perform a special preview performance of SOMEWHERE, choreographed by Artistic Director Yue Yin, at the Chautauqua Amphitheater on Thursday, May 23 at 4 p.m. In Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall on Tuesday, May 21 at 4 p.m., Gamelan Dharma Swara will unveil an exclusive preview world premiere of a new Dharma Swara commission; co-created by Artist-in-Residence Gusti Komin and choreographer Shoko Yamamuro.  “Through our artist-in-residence program, we aim to provide a sanctuary for artists to create while...

Beginning Wednesday, April 17 and running through Wednesday, May 8, the Department of Religion will offer a weekly Book Talk Series featuring best-selling books of some of Chautauqua’s recent Interfaith Lecture Series speakers. Simran Jeet Singh, Jillian Hanesworth, Andrew Seidel, and Laurel Braitman join us for an enlightening 90-minute session. Each session includes a presentation by the author, an interactive Q-and-A, and facilitated breakout discussions.   This four-week educational opportunity offers both synchronous and asynchronous content, for a cost of $175. However, due to the intimate nature of these conversations, enrollment will be capped at 30, so be sure to register...

Beginning this spring, the Department of Religion is excited to host a series of online offerings that will include several opportunities for online engagement and learning. As part of the 150 Forward Strategic Plan, one of our key objectives is to expand Chautauqua’s convening authority year round. Through these online offerings, we aim to build upon Summer Assembly content and to create new and more expansive Chautauqua experiences.   We are excited to announce two new offerings. A webinar entitled “Israel and Palestine: Dialogue and Relationships Across Divides with the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom” will occur next Tuesday, March 26 at...

Victoria Christopher Murray and Phil Klay to Serve as Guest Judges for The Chautauqua Prize Chautauqua Institution proudly announces the 2024 guest judges and jury for The Chautauqua Prize.  Awarded annually since 2012, The Chautauqua Prize celebrates a book of fiction or literary/narrative nonfiction that provides a richly rewarding reading experience and to honor the author for a significant contribution to the literary arts. Books published in 2023 were accepted as submissions for the 2024 Prize from September–December 2023. The 2024 Prize finalists and award-winning book will be selected from a long list of entries read and reviewed by 102 volunteer...

Chautauqua Literary Arts is pleased to announce an exciting transition for the Chautauqua journal, which will see its final publication this summer in its current form. It will be reconstructed and rejuvenated as the Chautauqua Anthology, co-edited by Kwame Alexander and Jill Gerard.   For decades, Chautauqua literary journal has been a literary manifestation of the values and aesthetics of Chautauqua Institution. Each volume is a portable Chautauqua season between covers. The sections loosely reflect the categories of experience addressed during those nine summer weeks, playing one writer’s vision off another’s in the spirit of oblique, artful dialogue.  The Chautauqua way...

Everyone has a story to tell. Join us to discover yours at the Inaugural 2024 Kwame Alexander Writers’ Lab at Chautauqua Institution (previously known as the Chautauqua Writers’ Festival), taking place over four days, June 18-21. Reimagined by the #1 New York Times bestselling author and Michael I. Rudell Artistic Director of Literary Arts, the Writers’ Lab boasts a tradition of intensive master class workshops with award-winning contemporary authors while enjoying our beautiful lakeside community, Chautauqua Institution. This year we are celebrating and featuring writers in Memoir, Poetry, and Children’s Literature, including Kwame Alexander, Safiya Sinclair, Kate Bowler, Nikki Grimes,...