Chautauqua Institution is proud to announce that 2023 philanthropic activity totaled more than $36 million. This amount reflects a combination of outright and planned gifts and pledges to Chautauqua Institution and the Chautauqua Foundation. Of the total amount raised, $5.9 million was contributed to the Chautauqua Fund, the Institution’s annual giving program, through one-time and multi-year commitments. Furthermore, the Chautauqua Fund exceeded the Institution’s budgeted goal for 2023. These contributions are a significant component of the $106 million raised to date for Boundless, A Campaign for Chautauqua. “More than 2,800 unique donors contributed to this groundbreaking success, illustrating once again...
The following statement can be attributed to Michael E. Hill, president of Chautauqua Institution: “We applaud Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to science-based conservation efforts at Chautauqua Lake, as detailed in today’s State of the State address. Dedicated funding for this project underscores the cultural and ecological importance of Chautauqua Lake and the need to rid the lake of invasive weeds and toxic algae blooms that threaten its future. We look forward to working with state government, local entities and environmental organizations to guarantee that any state funds allocated to this project are utilized to implement “smart lake” technology to measure and...
Dear Friend, There are moments that change the course of history. Driven by the actions of determined individuals, these inflection points move our civilization forward, inspire others to dream, and forever change the landscape of humanity. One hundred fifty years ago, a Methodist bishop and a visionary industrialist united to create a sacred place of respite and sparked a movement that changed the world. A century and a half later, we celebrate our inheritance of their legacy of curiosity and commit to stewarding their mission of expanding our horizons together. It is in this spirit that we embark on...
Chautauqua Institution today announced the appointment of #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Kwame Alexander to the role of Michael I. Rudell Artistic Director of Literary Arts. Alexander will also serve as the Inaugural Writer-in-Residence at Chautauqua. A poet, educator, publisher, and Emmy-nominated producer, Alexander is the author of 40 books, including Why Fathers Cry at Night: A Memoir; The Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor-winning picture book The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson; Becoming Muhammad Ali, co-authored with James Patterson; and the Newbery Medal-winning middle grade novel, The Crossover, now a television series on Disney+. His books have long...
Chautauqua Institution today announced the appointment of Stephine Hunt to the permanent, full-time role of Manager of Literary Arts. Since 2017, Hunt has served Chautauqua Institution and supported Chautauqua Literary Arts programming as the manager of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC) Octagon in a seasonal and part-time capacity. She is a Ph.D. candidate (ABD) in American Studies and a teaching assistant in the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University at Buffalo, as well as an adjunct instructor of English and Ethnic and Gender Studies at SUNY Fredonia. In the role of manager, Hunt will provide coordination and...
Welcome to the fall update on Chautauqua’s Climate Change Initiative (CCI). I hope that many of you were able to visit the Institution in October. The colors were stunning! In this edition we provide a wrap-up of the 2023 Summer Assembly, review important progress in making the Institution more environmentally sustainable, and share some exciting updates about our ongoing investments in understanding and improving Chautauqua Lake’s ecological health. We regularly post program updates by email and online at climate.chq.org. In addition, our Chautauquans for Sustainability group on Facebook now has 273 members. Please join us if you are a Facebook...
You don’t have to be an avid outdoor enthusiast to appreciate the beauty of Slovenia’s magnificent landscape. From the alluring Postojna Caves, and the mountainside marvel that is the Predjama Castle, to the tranquil waters of Lake Bled, and awe-inspiring Julian Alps, your Chautauqua Travel experience will take you on a scenic and surreal tour of Slovenia’s breathtaking countryside. Though these cultural cornerstones are most known for their natural beauty, each is full of untold secrets that lurk just beneath their surface. Baby Dragons of the Postojna Cave Within the dark, damp interior of the Postojna Cave dwells a pale...
Chautauqua Institution’s Board of Trustees elected Stephen F. Messinger, Jill Penrose, and Stephen J. Zenczak to four-year terms at the final meeting of the body’s 2022–23 cycle on Aug. 26. Additionally, members of the Chautauqua Corporation elected Bob W. Obee as the newest of the four trustees selected by Chautauqua property owners at the Corporation’s annual meeting on Aug. 12. The new trustee class officially began its term on Oct. 1. Messinger, of Arlington, Virginia, is the former president of ECG Management Consultants. He grew up in nearby Lakewood, New York, and in 1976 his parents purchased a cottage on...
Chautauqua Institution today announced the upcoming unveiling of an augmented reality art installation to coincide with its inaugural CHQ Mud Day Saturday, October 7. The installation, created by artists Leslie Calimeri and John Stow, follows a previous interactive installment at the CHQ Trail focused on play and exploration in 2022. Members of the media are invited to attend the public unveiling at 9:45 a.m. on October 7 at the CHQ Trailhead located behind the Chautauqua Golf Club Learning Center, 4731 West Lake Road, Chautauqua, NY. The current phase of Calimeri and Stow’s collaboration builds on their previous work and adds...
On Wednesday, September 27, Dr. Kori Schake joined us via webinar to discuss 2024’s 80th Anniversary of D-Day and our Chautauqua Travels journey to experience the ceremony and explore the Paris and Normandy region. Watch a recording of the webinar below. Resources Referenced During the Webinar Watch Dr. Kori Shake’s 2022 talk during Chautauqua’s weeklong investigation of the topic: “What Should Be America’s Role in the World?” on CHQ Assembly.(A CHQ Assembly subscription is required to access this video.) Discover more about Chautauqua Travels journey to Paris and Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Explore all Chautauqua Travels trips...
