Celebrated Author Will Give Public Reading at Chautauqua Institution on July 24 Chautauqua Institution proudly announces Flashlight (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) by Susan Choi as the 2026 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 the author of this year’s winning book, Choi receives $7,500 and will be presented with the Prize during a celebratory event and public reading at 3:30 p.m. EDT Friday, July 24, in Chautauqua’s Hall of Philosophy. Flashlight was chosen as the 2026 Prize winner from a list of seven finalists and 362 total submissions by an independent jury, which for...
Chautauqua Institution is pleased to announce seven exceptional books as the 2026 finalists for The Chautauqua Prize, now in its 15th year: “This finalist list honors the diversity and vibrancy of the literary world, recognizing both acclaimed and debut authors for creating deeply rewarding reading experiences,” said Chautauqua’s Interim Michael I. Rudell Director of Literary Arts Stephine Hunt. The 2026 finalists for The Chautauqua Prize were selected from a longlist of entries read and reviewed by 141 volunteer Chautauquans who are writers, publishers, educators, editors, librarians and avid readers. This year boasted an independent prize jury including award-winning writers Oliver de la Paz, Glory Edim, Jillian Hanesworth and Kao Kalia Yang as guest judges. Awarded annually since 2012, the Prize draws upon...
Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), the professional theater company of Chautauqua Institution, is proud to announce its full 2026 season featuring fully produced productions, new play readings and the expansion of its FutureNow program to includes two staged new play workshops. Anchored by two mainstage productions — a CTC commissioned world premiere and the remount of a classic solo piece — the season expands its legacy of developing new work and training the next generation of theater artists. This summer, CTC will present six new works at varying stages of development, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with new plays...
Veteran U.S. Diplomat and Third-Generation Chautauquan to Lead Historic Institution into Its Next Chapter The Chair of the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Mark Coolidge Johnson as the Institution’s 19th President. A Senior Foreign Service Officer, attorney and third-generation Chautauquan, Johnson brings more than 30 years of distinguished diplomatic service and large-scale operational leadership to one of America’s most enduring centers of education, the arts, religion and recreation. Johnson currently serves as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City — the largest American diplomatic mission in the world — where he...
Chautauqua Literary Arts and the Department of Education at Chautauqua Institution are pleased to announce 10 finalists for the 2026 Chautauqua Janus Prize. To be awarded this summer for the ninth time, the Janus Prize has enjoyed a steady increase in interest among emerging writers, and for 2026 saw another record-breaking number of submissions. This year, 281 writers entered work to be considered for the Janus Prize, an annual award that seeks to celebrate an emerging writer’s single work of short fiction or nonfiction for daring formal and aesthetic innovations that upset and reorder readers’ imaginations. The 10 finalists for the 2026 Janus Prize and their works are: Marguerite Alley, “Dogsbody” Andres Cordoba, “Animals in...
Institution, CSO Reach New Contract Agreement Chautauqua Institution today announced the 2026 season of its resident Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra (CSO), alongside a new three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the orchestra’s musicians and a shared commitment to raising endowment funds for the orchestra. The agreement, covering 2026 through 2028, maintains musician compensation while supporting the Institution’s focus on long-term financial sustainability and audience development. It was negotiated following the Institution’s fall 2025 announcement of $5.7 million in operating budget expense reductions affecting all departments and activities. Under the new agreement, guaranteed CSO services are reduced from 52 to 46, resulting...
Joshua Stafford has stepped down as Director of Sacred Music at Chautauqua following several years of service. He began his tenure in 2020 as Director of Sacred Music and the Jared Jacobsen Chair for the Organist. His responsibilities included planning daily worship and leading the Chautauqua Community Choir and Motet Choir, among others. During his time at Chautauqua, the choirs continued to develop in artistic excellence and played a central role in the Institution’s worship life. Stafford also appeared as a soloist with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, contributed to Old First Night celebrations and presented live improvisations for silent films in the Amphitheater. “Joshua Stafford’s leadership of...
Dear Chautauquans, The Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees convened in February with a clear focus: building on recent progress while positioning Chautauqua for long-term sustainability and growth. Over two days of meetings, trustees engaged in both a strategic deep dive session and the Board’s formal business meeting. Together, these conversations centered on financial performance, long-term sustainability, campus stewardship and the evolving needs of our community. Financial Performance and Planning We began with a review of final 2025 financial results. Overall, total revenue finished below budget, driven primarily by lower earned revenue across Gate, Parking and Waterfront, Enterprise operations and Arts...
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,...