Chautauqua Institution welcomed five new trustees during the August Board of Trustees meeting. Each brings a unique perspective and a wealth of experience in areas that are vital to the Institution — including philanthropy, finance, education, marketing and organizational development. Among the new appointees is Ronn Richard, recently retired CEO of the Cleveland Foundation, where he led transformative growth over two decades. Under his leadership, annual philanthropic giving increased tenfold, from $14 million to more than $145 million and endowed funds more than doubled to $3.2 billion. Richard’s strategic relocation of the Foundation’s headquarters to Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood catalyzed economic...
Chautauqua Institution’s YouTube channel is introducing a new membership structure designed to strengthen the sustainability of our digital programming and make it easier for viewers to choose their level of access. You know the value of Chautauqua’s programming — and we heard you, time and time again in recent months, when you said that the ability to experience that programming online is important to you. Now, we’re asking for your help in securing the future of this work and the experience of Chautauqua at your fingertips. The easiest way to do that is to join at the sustaining membership level,...
Chautauqua Institution has named Stephine Hunt Interim Michael I. Rudell Director of Literary Arts, starting on Jan. 1, 2026. This comes following her impactful tenure as manager, and then managing director, of literary arts, where she has played a key role in shaping the Institution’s literary programming alongside the outgoing artistic director, Kwame Alexander. As interim director, Hunt will oversee programming of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, the platform that honors at least nine outstanding books of fiction, nonfiction, essays and poetry with community discussions and author presentations every summer — and which celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2028; the...
Dear Chautauquans, For more than 150 years, Chautauqua has been a place where people gather to learn, reflect, grow and connect. We have weathered periods of social change, economic challenges and cultural transformation because we have always adapted — thoughtfully and deliberately — to meet the needs of the moment while safeguarding our mission for the future. That same spirit of resilience guides us now. As we look ahead to the 2026 Summer Assembly and beyond, we are making strategic programming decisions designed to strengthen Chautauqua’s financial foundation, protect the experiences that matter most, and position the Institution for another...
Chautauqua Institution announces a special post-season concert experience on Friday, September 5, featuring legendary artist Bonnie Raitt with special guest Jimmie Vaughan & the Tilt-A-Whirl Band. This event marks a new chapter in Chautauqua’s entertainment programming and will serve as the launch of a pilot initiative aimed at enhancing the concert experience for all. As part of this pilot, concessions including food, beer, wine, and other beverages will be available at the Amphitheater. Beverages (served in covered cups) will be permitted inside the Amphitheater and within the security perimeter. Food will only be permitted within the security perimeter, but not inside the Amphitheater gates. This initiative is designed...
The highly anticipated musical adaptation of Kwame Alexander’s Newbery medal-winning novel, The Crossover, is officially underway. The dynamic creative team — which includes one of the stars from the original Hamilton cast as composer and the Tony Award-winning Director of Hamilton as creative consultant, is now in place to bring the award-winning novel to the stage at Chautauqua Institution. Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), the professional theater company of Chautauqua Institution, led by Producing Artistic Director Jade King Carroll and Managing Director Emily Glinick, commissioned the musical. CTC has been working to assemble this award-winning creative team with music and lyrics...
Chautauqua Institution today announced the selection of Heidrick & Struggles, a premier global leadership advisory firm, to assist in the search for its next president. This selection follows the search committee’s rigorous consideration of multiple national firms that responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP). The decision marks a significant step forward in the Institution’s leadership transition process, following President Michael E. Hill’s departure in May. Former board member Kyle Keogh is serving as Interim Chief Executive during this search and selection process. Heidrick & Struggles brings decades of experience in executive search and leadership consulting, with a strong track...
This season, Chautauqua Institution is launching a new parking system designed to provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience. CI Access is powered by SKIDATA, a leading provider of digital parking technology. With this upgrade, all parking areas are now fully secured and operational 24 hours a day, requiring all users to scan in and out each time they enter or exit. The most important change is the requirement that all vehicles must scan their parking pass when upon entering and exiting. If a user fails to scan out, they will not be able to scan back in. This change ensures...
Celebrated Author Will Give Public Reading at Chautauqua Institution on Aug. 15 Chautauqua Institution proudly announces Whale Fall: A Novel (Pantheon Books) by Elizabeth O’Connor as the 2025 winner of The Chautauqua Prize. Awarded annually since 2012, the Prize celebrates a book of fiction, literary/narrative nonfiction, or a book-length collection of poetry that provides a richly rewarding reading experience and honors the author for a significant contribution to the literary arts. As author of this year’s winning book, O’Connor receives $7,500 and will be presented with the Prize during a celebratory event and public reading at 3:30 p.m. EDT Friday,...
Chautauqua Institution is pleased to announce the highly anticipated black box theater in the Roe Green Theater Center is to be named in honor of Chautauqua Institution’s 18th president Michael E. Hill, who served from 2017 through 2025, and his husband Peter M. Korns. The Michael E. Hill & Peter M. Korns Theater, a state-of-the-art intimate performance space seating 99 patrons, will be home to a full slate of programming during the season and will operate year-round dedicated to the development of original works. The theater is made possible through a generous gift from longtime Chautauquans and devoted supporters...
