See what’s streaming on CHQ Assembly this January! CHQ Assembly’s January 2024 Lineup In January, we’re highlighting the 2023 Summer Assembly theme “Infrastructure: Building and Maintaining the Physical, Social and Civic Underpinnings of Society.” Somewhere along the way, infrastructure becomes boring — the awe and joy with which a child greets the weekly garbage truck and hours spent on felt playmats of city streets give way to the “unsexy” business of routine maintenance and iterative improvements, of taxes and policy. Yet nothing remains more critical to our public lives than the evolution and safety of these systems. Join Chautauqua’s lecturers...
Dear Chautauqua Family, Lately, I’ve been thinking about the importance of being present and cherishing the special moments that define our lives. As I enter this holiday season, rich with traditions and rituals, I’m inspired to actively embrace the present moment. Let’s all take the opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in our communities and families, welcoming the joy that surrounds us. I am particularly reminded of what a privilege it is to do so, with so much of our world struggling with violence and tragedy; those people and situations are also very present in my heart and prayers. In this...
See what’s streaming on CHQ Assembly this December! CHQ Assembly’s December 2023 Lineup In December, we’re highlighting the 2023 Summer Assembly theme “The State of Believing.” When we talk about the concept of “belief,” what do we mean? Some of our most deeply held beliefs aren’t just religious ones — they’re philosophical, political, intellectual, emotional. They can take the forms of faith and trust (or lack thereof) in institutions, or in each other. Join Chautauqua’s lecturers Almar Latour, Casper ter Kuile, Kate Bowler, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, Brian Greene, Simran Jeet Singh, Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson, Setti D. Warren, Tyler...
Though many Chautauquans spend Thanksgiving away from our historic grounds, others return to enjoy the last blaze of fall colors before winter sets in. As you gather in gratitude with family and friends, either here at Chautauqua or in the communities you call home, please join us in reflecting on the meaningful impact philanthropy continues to have on the Institution. We invite you to read just a few examples of the many ways your gifts are making an impact on Chautauquans of every age today, and how future generations will benefit from your generous forethought. To every member of our...
Dear Chautauquans, As we prepare to gather with friends and family for Thanksgiving Day, I am filled with gratitude as I reflect on the spirit of our beloved Chautauqua Institution. In a year that has presented both challenges and triumphs, I am thankful for the resilience and strength our community has demonstrated in tandem with care and support. Chautauqua has always been a place of connection, learning, and inspiration, and in these times, we have leaned on these pillars to navigate the ever-changing landscape of our world. I am grateful for the unwavering commitment of our patrons, staff, volunteers and...
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...
