Business & Service Employee (BASE) Pass Program

Please note: the information below is valid for our 2025 season. Prices are valid through August 23, 2025.

BASE Pass Program Purpose:
To provide business owners the ability to purchase discounted gate passes for their employees who work for privately-run establishments within the Chautauqua Institution grounds (or for employees of off-grounds businesses who perform work regularly on the Institution grounds) but who are not employees of Chautauqua Institution. Carefully review the following options, then use the APPLY ONLINE button (bottom of this page) to submit your order.

BASE Pass Policy Summary
On-grounds business owners will purchase at least one of the following regularly priced full-season passes to be eligible for the BASE pass program:
> A Traditional Gate Pass (TGP includes Amp access)
> A Grounds Access Pass (GAP no amp access – except morning worship)

(Denominational Houses fulfill this requirement through Board Member pass purchase)
Please note: 2025 price changes occur March 5 and June 5, 2025. 

Once a regularly priced full-season pass has been purchased, the business owner may then place an order for their employees. BASE passes are also available in two basic types: BASE TGP (includes amp access) or BASE GAP (no amp access, except morning worship). If an employee resides on the grounds during the summer assembly season, their only choice will be a BASE TGP. (Chautauqua Institution reserves the right to require proof of summer residency, upon request).

BASE TGP Choices

BASE TGP (Non-Caregiver) $465: Intended for employees who reside on the grounds at any time during the season. This gate pass includes Amphitheater eligibility. Note: If the worker is between the ages of 13–25, the season youth gate pass is a lower-cost option. A non-transferable Rear Lot parking pass is included and available upon request.

BASE TGP Caregiver $250: Intended for CAREGIVER employees who reside on the grounds at any time during the season. This gate pass includes Amphitheater eligibility (for caregivers to escort clients). This is the only option for caregiver employees who reside on the grounds. A non-transferable Rear Lot parking pass is included and available upon request.

BASE GAP Choices

BASE GAP $25: Intended for employees who reside off-grounds. Does not include entry to the Amphitheater; cannot be upgraded to the residential gate pass. A non-transferable Rear Lot parking pass is included and available upon request.
Please note: The $25 BASE GAP option is also available to non-resident owners and employees of off-grounds businesses who regularly access the grounds to provide services like housekeeping, appliance repair, handyperson work, and general small-scale property maintenance. $25 BASE GAPs are available for purchase to off-grounds business and service employees, at any Main Gate Welcome Center ticket office window. Government-issued photo ID and proof of employment (current paystub or company credentials) are required at time of purchase.

CERTIFIED GENERAL CONTRACTOR BASE GAP $25: These passes are for non-resident owners and employees of off-grounds businesses who regularly access the grounds to provide approved general contracting services. Please download a copy of the Contractor Authorization Form (linked below) to complete the required information to be eligible for a $25 Certified General Contractor BASE GAP.
Contractor Authorization Form

BASE Pass Ordering Guidelines:

1. BASE passes must be paid in full before they can be issued. 
2. BASE passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, and their price cannot be pro-rated.  
3. BASE pass orders require the passholder’s full first name, full last name, phone #, address, email, and a recent photo for our records.  
4. Once an individual is no longer employed by the purchasing business, their BASE pass is voided. We allow a replacement pass to be issued for a $10.00 service fee. (Contact the ticket office for help).

The Institution’s operations office requires pre-approval for any general contracting work (including repairs) that must take place during the summer assembly season. Please visit our Property and Construction Resources page for more information.
Property and Construction Resources Page

*Establishment means an establishment that is conducted by an individual, family, partnership, or corporation that hires employees on the grounds during the Chautauqua season.

• Business: Rental property owner with 10 or more units, restaurant or retail store. Business owners must purchase one full season pass. Parking: Can purchase up to two front lot season parking spaces, which is the same price as Main Lot season parking.
• Services: Eligible employees include those working for a non-profit organization or non-profit business, denominational house, household services when employed by a guest (limited to nannies, groundskeepers, housekeepers, and caregivers).

An employee is considered to be a person working an average of 20 hours per week and receives regular wages (i.e. works every week) and whose wages are subject to federal and/or state payroll taxes.

Verification of payment of regular wages may be requested, including:
> Federal form 941 (Employer’s quarterly federal tax return); or
> New York State form NYS-45 (Quarterly Combined Withholding, Wage Reporting, and Unemployment Insurance Return).

Family members of a business owner who do not meet the conditions listed above, do not qualify for a BASE pass.

The form below (Apply Online) will accommodate the entry of up to 25 employees. If you have more than 25 employees to enter, contact the Ticket Office at pcohen@chq.org or 716-357-6338.