
Chautauqua Artists in Residence
CHQ AIR is an initiative that provides incubating space for artists to explore their work, nurture new mediums and hone their craft utilizing our world-class galleries, studios and stages. Year-round, we offer artists with diverse backgrounds the opportunity to join us for a two – four-week residency (on-site housing and research support provided) at our historic 750-acre lakeside Institution situated in the bucolic landscape of western New York State.
Come Breathe with Chautauqua AIR Presents
2022 was the program’s inaugural year, and we were proud to host seven dance residences, working in tandem with three national partners to select companies: Works & Process LaunchPAD at The Guggenheim, Dance Lab New York, and Joyce Productions.
Our artists in residence are either sponsored or recommended by our national partners.
Are you the next artist that will join us at Chautauqua?
Upcoming Artist in Residences


Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle Presentation — My Side of the River: A Memoir by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez
Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez reveals her experience as the U.S. born daughter of immigrants and what happened when, at fifteen, her parents were forced back to Mexico in this captivating and tender memoir.
Born to Mexican immigrants south of the Rillito River in Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth had the world at her fingertips. She was preparing to enter her freshman year of high school as the number one student when suddenly, her own country took away the most important right a child has: the right to have a family.
When her parents’ visas expired and they were forced to return to Mexico, Elizabeth was left responsible for her younger brother, as well as her education. Determined to break the cycle of being a “statistic,” she knew that even though her parents couldn’t stay, there was no way she could let go of the opportunities the U.S. could provide. Armed with only her passport and sheer teenage determination, Elizabeth became what her school would eventually describe as an unaccompanied homeless youth, one of thousands of underage victims affected by family separation due to broken immigration laws.
For fans of Educated by Tara Westover and The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande, My Side of the River explores separation, generational trauma, and the toll of the American dream. It’s also, at its core, a love story between a brother and a sister who, no matter the cost, is determined to make the pursuit of her brother’s dreams easier than it was for her.
Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez grew up in Tucson, AZ, a daughter of immigrants forced to return to Mexico following complications with their legal status. Despite these tumultuous events, Elizabeth graduated from High School at the top of her class. In 2018, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, & Economics. While studying at Penn, Elizabeth appeared on NPR’s Latino USA and The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) named her as the Scholar of the year in 2017. Elizabeth was also the recipient of multiple awards and fellowships including the U.S. Department of State Gilman Scholarship Program. She was selected to document her experience abroad in the U.K. as a blogger and video correspondent. Also, both Harvard and Stanford’s Business Schools selected Elizabeth to participate in their competitive business programs.
Hear From Those Involved With CHQ AIR
Below are some of the artists and creative professionals that have visited us at Chautauqua for a CHQ AIR residency stay. See what some of them had to say about their experience at our stunning village on the lake.

“YYDC’s residency at Chautauqua Institution to create its newest work, SOMEWHERE, was a time of growth, inspiration and community. We are deeply grateful to the CHQ family for the opportunity to live and create on its lovely campus.”
—Yue Yin
Artistic Director, YYDC

“My time in Chautauqua was an absolute dream. The team and the facilities provided a safe space for me to push myself artistically whether it was educating myself in photography or finding a new movement vocabulary. I was met with warmth and all of the resources I could ask for. It’s a perfect artistic sanctuary for whatever the needs may be.”
—Cassandra Trenary
Principal Dancer
American Ballet Theatre

“There could not have been better a moment to fill the need I had for creative time and space. Whether spending limitless time in the dance studio, virtual meetings in the conference rooms, or simply taking a walk through the beautiful grounds, Chautauqua Institution is the exact right place to #BuildMakeandCreate.”
—Hope Boykin
Educator/Creator/Mover/Motivator
Original member of Complexions
Dancer, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 20 Years

“GALLIM’s residency at Chautauqua was absolutely magical. The studios were gorgeous, the campus was absolutely stunning, and we were so thoughtfully cared for by the Chautauqua family. The company used the special opportunity to bond outside the studio and dive into our work in the studio all within one week time. It was a blessing to create in such a beautiful and warm environment and we can’t wait to come back some day!”
—Andrea Miller
Artistic Director + Choreographer
GALLIM

“I had a wonderful stay at the Chautauqua Institution. The staff was helpful and accommodating to our company’s needs and provided a wonderful space for us to create and explore our artistic process. In addition, we had the opportunity to connect and interact with the local community who were excited about our work and gave us a very warm welcome. It is definitely an artist retreat I would return to.”
—Abdiel
They / Their / Them
Pre Doctoral Lecturer, Dept. of Dance
(In residence with Do The Hustle)
History of Chautauqua AIR Presents
During the spring of 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Chautauqua had a unique and first-time opportunity to host two renowned companies on our grounds and in our arts venues. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Septet, led by Wynton Marsalis, was in residence for two weeks, and Dance Theatre of Harlem was in residence for one month. These world-class artists loved our facilities, were moved by our idyllic grounds, and were eager to engage with our curious community both in-person and online. After their experience, they left the Institution feeling renewed and supported. Hearing that Chautauqua met a need for breathing space and room, CHQ AIR was born.
Previous Artists

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Malpaso Dance

Dance Lab NY
Photo: Joe Gustafson Photography

Christopher Williams Dance

Do the Hustle

Hope Boykin