Ideas and opinions are exchanged in an open, challenging atmosphere, and Chautauqua’s knowledgeable audiences have the opportunity to participate in question-and-answer sessions at the conclusion of the lectures.

This series is designed to present issues that impact the lived experience of everyday life from theological, ethical, moral, humanitarian, philosophical and religious perspectives.

Reading together since 1878, the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle has remained a leader in adult education through quality programming. Each summer, the CLSC chooses nine books of literary quality and invites the authors to Chautauqua present their work to an audience of approximately 1,000 readers.

Lectures sponsored by the Institution but which fall outside the normal platform schedule will be posted as they are scheduled.

The literary arts are represented at Chautauqua by a variety of programs, from the CLSC to the Writers’ Center, and include two major national literary prizes.

Dedicated to exploring the most important issues of our times and stimulating creative responses, Chautauqua Institution is mission-bound to bring sustained focus to perhaps the most consequential issue today, climate change.

Chautauqua’s Special Studies program provides youth the ability to experience Chautauqua as their parents do in an age-appropriate learning environment. The Special Studies curriculum offers a wide variety of subjects from computer skills, art, dance, music, writing, language and many more interactive courses that engage youth to begin a path to lifelong learning.