April blooms with words and rhythm as we celebrate National Poetry Month! Every line and stanza invites you into a universe woven with emotions, colors, and imaginations running wild. We’re celebrating Poetry Month at Chautauqua by highlighting former Interfaith Lecturer, poet Jillian Hanesworth, and Chautauqua Literary Arts’ beloved Poetry Makerspace. Read on as we celebrate, explore and share the power of poetry that connects us all, one verse at a time. CHQ Assembly Speaker Spotlight Jillian Hanesworth Jillian Hanesworth is an EMMY award-nominated spoken word artist, and the first Poet Laureate Emeritus of Buffalo, New York. A community organizer and...
Chautauqua Institution today announced the appointment of Joseph Futral to Senior Director of Program Operations and Production. In this role, Futral will project-manage major initiatives that involve production and programming resources. He will supervise production for all programs to continuously advance the operational and strategic aspects of production within the context of the Institution’s 150 Forward strategic plan. Futral returns to Chautauqua having served as the Institution’s first Director of Production during the COVID-19 pandemic. His role played a critical part in designing and operating our outdoor Performance Pavilion on Pratt for Theater and Opera. Holding esteemed leadership roles such...
For 150 years, we have welcomed generations of Chautaquans from around the world into our diverse and dynamic community. At Chautauqua, we take pride in our community and all its members, striving to provide a unique and exciting experience to all who visit. As part of our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all, we are constantly working to make our grounds more accessible to everyone. That’s why we’re delighted to continue our tradition of Free Sundays every Sunday in our 2024 season! With no gate fees, no parking fees before 5 p.m., and free admission to Sunday entertainment,...
“It’s showtime today!” were the magical words that greeted the Chautauqua Arts Education Young Playwrights Project team members as they visited the schools to read plays written by Chautauqua County 3rd and 4th grade students. This year over 400 students worked to write 378 plays that shared a broad view of the world through the hearts and minds of these young students. The Young Playwrights Project (YPP) began in 2014 in collaboration with the Florida Studio Theater in Sarasota, Florida and has since evolved to a close partnership with Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC) and developed further by Syracuse University acting faculty...
Chautauqua Institution today announced the appointment of Jill McCormick to the position of Director of Communications and Special Projects. In this role, McCormick will be responsible for developing and implementing communications plans to inform the public, news media, and internal audiences of Chautauqua’s programs and operations, bringing Chautauqua’s compelling mission to life through story. She will also serve as project manager for Chautauqua Travels, a new venture that brings Chautauqua’s mission to educational group travel experiences in the U.S. and abroad. McCormick comes to Chautauqua following a successful, 30+ year career in television news, serving in a variety of roles including...
Wooden Castles and Winter Flowers: Mark Wenzler Last Sunday was a beautiful day in Washington, D.C. With temperatures in the mid-70s, I put on shorts for the first time in months for my regular Sunday morning run. This was an especially magical jog through a faintly fragrant tunnel of blossoming cherry trees. The many thousands of cherry trees in our nation’s capital date back to a 1912 gift of friendship from the people of Japan. They are one of the things that makes D.C. so beautiful and a major driver of tourism. But should we be enjoying them in the...
Established from its foundation in 1874 as a platform for intellectual and cultural exchange, Chautauqua Institution was pivotal in the advancement of women’s rights. Throughout the 19th and 20th century, Chautauqua’s lecture platform featured notable suffragists ranging from Susan B. Anthony to Carrie Chapman Catt. This March, we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, showcasing Chautauqua’s crucial role in the women’s rights movement. Though Chautauqua had welcomed women speakers in the past, beginning as early as the remarks from Jenny Fowler Willing at the opening services in 1874, debating the issue of women’s suffrage was revolutionary. Chautauqua’s first women’s suffrage...
Chautauqua Institution today announced the promotion of Senior Director of Marketing and Analytics Vanessa Weinert, to the role of vice president for marketing and communications. She replaces Emily Morris, who is stepping down from the vice-presidential role to focus on brand strategy in support of the Institution’s goals to grow Summer Assembly attendance and year-round engagement. Weinert has served the Institution since 2012 in a series of roles on the marketing team. Most recently, she was senior director of marketing and analytics with responsibility for leading and implementing marketing campaigns and the Institution’s data analytics program. As vice president, she will...
Featured from Buffalo News As part of this year’s State of the State address, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pledged to dedicate vital resources to help protect and rehabilitate some of our region’s most precious waterways – including Chautauqua Lake. This is welcome news for those who visit and make Chautauqua County their year-round home, but also for those who understand the importance of New York’s beautiful lakes to the state’s culture, ecosystem, and economy. Each is a vital part of our identity, and we applaud Hochul’s push for science-based conservation efforts to improve these treasures for generations to come. ...
From its founding in 1874, Chautauqua Institution has been a hub of intellectual and cultural activity, welcoming people from across the globe to share their ideas and insights. Over its 150 years, Chautauqua has weathered world wars, depressions, and profound social change, remaining a world-renowned destination for educational exploration, spiritual growth, and community engagement. As Chautauqua celebrates this remarkable milestone, we invite readers to explore our rich history with five fascinating facts you may not know about Chautauqua! 1. Chautauqua Institution was the first of several Chautauquas. As Chautauqua Institution grew in popularity, other “chautauquas” began to spread across the...
