Those of us who have the privilege of working at Chautauqua are often entrusted with stories. They are stories filled with gratitude and joy, but also — at times — with hope, uncertainty and quiet concern. They are stories about what this place has meant, what it continues to mean and what people hope it will be for those who come next. One theme we hear again and again from Chautauquans is a question that lingers just beneath the surface: Will my children continue to come here? And will Chautauqua be as meaningful and relevant for them as it has...
Emily Carpenter Appointed Manager of Oliver Archives Center Chautauqua Institution today announced the appointment of Jonathan Schmitz as historian emeritus, an honorary title that recognizes his 24 years of service and impact as the Institution’s archivist and historian. Schmitz becomes just the second individual to be honored with the emeritus title, following his predecessor, Ross Mackenzie. “It is a true honor to recognize Jon’s exemplary quarter-century of service to Chautauqua, our mission and community, with this well-deserved appointment,” said Jordan Steves, the Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education, and the last of six heads of the Institution’s Department of...
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 Institution today announced the launch of its Family Scholarship, with applications now being accepted for the 2026 Summer Assembly. Designed to make the Chautauqua experience accessible to all, this scholarship invites eligible families to apply for a fully immersive, one‑week residency on the Chautauqua grounds. For 2026, the Family Scholarship will support attendance during Week Eight, taking place August 15–22, 2026, themed: Week Eight: The Future of Food — Climate, Technology, and the Next Agricultural Revolution. Food is universal — it sustains us, connects us, defines us. But how we grow it, share it, and celebrate it is changing fast. As climate pressures mount, technologies advance and...
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...
Last fall, I shared an update with all of you outlining both the successes and lessons learned from our first shoulder‑season concert and our initial attempt to pilot Amphitheater concessions during the Bonnie Raitt show. Today, I’m writing to share how that experience is shaping our plans for 2026. With the Board of Trustees’ approval, we will continue exploring Amphitheater concessions and shoulder‑season concerts this summer, alongside several operational improvements on and around Odland Plaza. This is all with the goal of improving the overall patron experience while remaining thoughtful stewards of the grounds. Continuing the Pilot: Phase 2 Based...
The African American Heritage House (AAHH) at Chautauqua today announced the appointment of New York Times bestselling author, Emmy®-winning producer and founder of the literary nonprofit One Word at a Time, Kwame Alexander, as its 2026 inaugural Distinguished Fellow. AAHH is a nonprofit committed to strengthening Chautauqua Institution by encouraging and welcoming diversity, fostering honest conversations and adding new voices to the programmatic mix. Sean Hawkins was also named director of the AAHH. “Erroll Davis’ vision is for the AAHH to become a cultural center for building a community accessible to all through the eyes of the African American experience,”...
Many people wonder what goes on at Chautauqua during the winter and how our team stays busy. You might be surprised by how much happens in preparation for your return each summer. Here’s a brief look at what’s happening while you’re away from your home away from home. During the winter months, capital projects across the grounds have continued despite snow and cold temperatures. The most visible progress has been at the Greene Family Commons project (formerly Bellinger Hall), where the steel frame was recently assembled, revealing the form of the new entry hall and dining center. The addition will...
For Robert Wilson-Black, Chautauqua has long been a home away from home — and now he returns to step into one of the Institution’s most historic roles. Chautauqua Institution is pleased to announce the appointment of Wilson‑Black as its new Director of Religion. With a deep personal connection to Chautauqua and a proven voice in religion, public life and institutional leadership, he is poised to drive transformative change. Wilson‑Black joins the Institution following decades of leadership at the intersection of faith, higher education, public discourse and social change. A religion scholar, public speaker, administrator, and convener, he has served as...
