It has been four weeks since we last gathered together and shared in the wonder and awe that Chautauqua provides. For the Education pillar, that means the Amphitheater lecturers and Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle authors you engage with all summer, opportunities to deepen your learning and insight through the Masters Series, and the beloved community spaces and programs at the Smith Memorial Library and Oliver Archives Center. My colleagues and I, who oversee these programs, are incredibly proud of what we accomplished in 2026. It was so gratifying to realize many months of dreaming and planning as it became a living, breathing program...
What an outstanding season 2026 was for the Department of Religion, with moments of inspiration, enlightenment and even difficult conversations. The most common question I received during my first season as director of religion was, “How strong is the Religion pillar at Chautauqua these days?” My answer was often, “That all depends on your angle of vision and ultimately it depends on each of us.” It can be as strong as you experience it yourself, given there are enough opportunities for strengthening your faith and religious traditions that you could ever take advantage of in one season. Or it can...
As we reflect on an extraordinary Summer Season and all that we experienced together, we also look ahead to a new chapter for Chautauqua Institution under the leadership of President Mark Johnson. As Mark begins his role as the 19th president of the Institution, he is spending time listening to and learning from the people who make Chautauqua what it is. His connection to this community, commitment to lifelong learning and belief in exploring the best in human values continue to shape his vision for the Institution’s future. We invite you to get to know Mark a little better and hear more about the experiences and aspirations he brings to the presidency.
153rd Summer Assembly | August 30, 2026 With the conclusion of Chautauqua Institution’s 2026 Summer Assembly, the Closing Three Taps ceremony offered a moment to reflect on the season and look ahead to the work and promise of the years to come. The evening marked the conclusion of Kyle Keogh’s service as Interim Chief Executive and the beginning of a new chapter under Chautauqua’s 19th president, Mark Coolidge Johnson. Keogh reflected on stewardship and the responsibility to pass Chautauqua forward. Board Chair Laurie Branch expressed the community’s gratitude for Keogh’s leadership during a consequential period of transition. Johnson then offered...
Summer 2026 was a landmark season for Chautauqua’s performing and visual arts programs. For the first time since 2008, a newly constructed arts space opened: the Roe Green Theater Center. In its inaugural year, this space was a game-changer for Chautauqua Theater Company by offering state-of-the-art facilities for every stage of the creative process to provide a home for the work of our new FutureNow Playwriting Fellows. And it added some serious fun with the late-night series, boasting comedy and music – and drinks from the lobby bar. With 25 performances in its first year (most of which sold out!), the Michael E. Hill and Peter M. Korns Black Box at the Roe Green Theater Center...
In the spirit of Chautauqua’s summer of gratitude, members of the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees’ Nominating and Governance Committee were honored to participate in a recent community governance conversation at the invitation of the Chautauqua Property Owners Association (CPOA). We are grateful for the opportunity to answer questions about board governance, trustee service, and the board’s role in advancing Chautauqua Institution’s mission. The following are highlights from that conversation. What is the role of the Nominating & Governance Committee? What is the difference between Class A and Class B Trustees? How are Class A and Class B Trustees identified and recommended? ...
I often say I have the best job at Chautauqua. I spend much of my time thinking about how we invite people into this place — how we help them feel welcome and connect them with ideas, faith, art, music and one another. But seasons like this are a reminder that Chautauqua is not defined by what any one of us says about it. Its story becomes real through the people who gather here, fill our venues, join the conversation and make this community what it is. You do not need a census report to know when Chautauqua is busy....
Each season, Chautauqua comes alive because thousands of people believe in its mission — a mission rooted in lifelong learning, the arts, faith, recreation, civil dialogue and community. Every lecture, performance, worship service, classroom experience, exhibit, conversation and gathering is made possible not only through ticket revenue and program fees, but also through the generosity of donors who choose to invest in Chautauqua’s future. Philanthropy is one of the essential ways Chautauquans help sustain the Institution. Each year, donors support Chautauqua through several kinds of gifts. Some gifts are unrestricted, allowing the Institution to direct resources where they are needed most. Others are...
At the heart of Boundless, A Campaign for Chautauqua, is a simple but powerful truth: our mission thrives because of the extraordinary generosity of our donors. Together, thousands of supporters invested in a bold vision for Chautauqua’s future, helping us strengthen and sustain the four pillars that define our purpose and impact. Through their philanthropy, we have enhanced the Chautauqua experience, expanded our role as a convener of meaningful dialogue, advanced the stewardship of Chautauqua Lake, and secured a more vibrant and sustainable future through endowment and strategic investment. As we celebrate the remarkable success of the Boundless campaign, we...
These instructions are for upgrading to the Explore More & Sustain membership level on your computer or laptop, not on any handheld devices. Please note that joining as a new member or making any changes on an Apple device through the YouTube app is subject to additional fees. We recommend using a computer or laptop to manage your membership. Step 1: Go to Chautauqua’s YouTube Channel On your computer, open your internet browser (such as Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox). In the address bar at the top of the screen, type: www.youtube.com/chautauquainstitution Press Enter on your keyboard. Step 2: Make Sure You’re Using the Correct YouTube Account Your membership is connected to the...
