Raymond Downey

Director of Brand Design and Strategy

Brand Design and Strategy — Marketing and Communications

About Ray

I began working at Chautauqua Institution in April of 1999, starting as a graphic design assistant and a production manager for The Chautauquan Daily. Along the way I’ve overseen the design of our promotional materials and new environmental graphics. I also managed the Cohen Recording Studio and its staff along with the video and audio capture of various programs around the grounds. When the pandemic started, I worked with a team of colleagues to move our season into the virtual world and launch a streaming channel filled with our produced content that normally would have happened live in our venues. Now, as the director of multimedia and design, I direct the visual assets and initiatives that help build the brand of the Institution. I focus on strategy development and implementation, while fostering creativity and consistency in design and production of Chautauqua’s image and brand. This encompasses the Institution, the Foundation and Athenaeum Hotel Corporation’s promotional and informational marketing material and initiatives.

Prior to coming to Chautauqua, I began my career as a graphic designer working for Michael Orr + Associates in Corning, New York. With a team of others, I primarily worked on the development of the wayfinding graphics that were installed into the new addition The Corning Museum of Glass was constructing.

Why did you choose to work at Chautauqua? What do you like about working at Chautauqua?

I didn’t know much about Chautauqua prior to beginning work here, but what initially drew me to is was the breadth of programming that we offered in the visual & performing arts along with the various lectures and it’s history.

Current and Former Volunteer or Board Roles

Prior volunteer for Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity and hope to get back to volunteering for them in the near future.

Personal Interests

Camping, gardening, doing work around our property with my tractor and porch sitting.