Chautauqua Institution today announced the appointment of Stephine Hunt to the permanent, full-time role of Manager of Literary Arts. Since 2017, Hunt has served Chautauqua Institution and supported Chautauqua Literary Arts programming as the manager of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC) Octagon in a seasonal and part-time capacity. She is a Ph.D. candidate (ABD) in American Studies and a teaching assistant in the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University at Buffalo, as well as an adjunct instructor of English and Ethnic and Gender Studies at SUNY Fredonia. 

In the role of manager, Hunt will provide coordination and program support for all literary arts programs including the CLSC, the Writers’ Center and the Poetry Makerspace, all centerpieces of Chautauqua’s annual Summer Assembly. She will also support writing and literature workshops and educational programs that take place year-round, online and in-person at Chautauqua.  

Hunt’s appointment occurs alongside that of award-winning author Kwame Alexander, who was named Michael I. Rudell Artistic Director of Literary Arts and Inaugural Writer-in-Residence.  

“It is such a thrill to welcome Stephine to Chautauqua’s year-round staff and to celebrate her for the care and thoughtfulness with which she has helped steward our literary arts community over eight summers of service,” said Jordan Steves, Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education. “With Kwame’s vision complemented by Stephine’s experience and know-how, I’m positively vibrating with excitement at what this new literary arts leadership team will achieve as we aspire to establish Chautauqua as a national force in the literary arts.” 

Hunt will begin her service in this new role on December 11, 2023.

About Chautauqua Literary Arts (CLA)
For nearly 150 years, the reading and discussion of literature has lived at the center of Chautauqua Institution’s mission of lifelong learning, engaging participants in the social and political issues of our time. Steeped in this history, CLA convenes readers and writers of all ages in community, conversation, intensive craft development, and exploratory learning opportunities. While most of our programs unfold during the nine-week summer season each year, there are a variety of ways readers and writers can join us, including through workshops and online programs held year-round. The program awards two literary prizes annually, The Chautauqua Prize and the Chautauqua Janus Prize.

About Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit, 750-acre community on Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State, where approximately 7,500 persons are in residence on any day during a nine-week season, and a total of more than 100,000 attend scheduled public events and even more engage online via the streaming channel CHQ Assembly. Chautauqua is dedicated to the exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life through a program that explores the important religious, social and political issues of our times; stimulates provocative, thoughtful involvement of individuals and families in creative response to such issues; and promotes excellence and creativity in the appreciation, performance and teaching of the arts. The Institution launched its 150th Summer Assembly June 24, 2023, and will celebrate its Sesquicentennial in 2024.

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