There are moments when an idea evolves into something greater, moments when an observation or a conversation sparks a big idea. These ideas have the potential to shift perspectives, spark action and inspire. Chautauqua Institution is embracing the power of such thoughts with the launch of a new video series called “Big Ideas.” “Big Ideas” captures key insights from Chautauqua Institution’s collection of lectures and programs created during the nine-week Summer Assembly by CHQ Assembly, Chautauqua’s membership-based, streaming platform. Each video distills a single thought from a full-length program into a digestible 3 to 10-minute clip. Instead of watching an...
Empathy to the Rescue How Stories Help Us Find Common Ground on Climate Change The human suffering wrought by hurricanes Helene and Milton in the southeastern United States remind us as the climate crisis deepens, communities across the nation desperately need everyone working together toward solutions. But too often these days, political and social divisions stand in the way of understanding and collaboration — leading to stalemate, inaction and the next climate-fueled tragedy. We need only hear stories of armed militias confronting FEMA responders to understand how deeply polarized our country has become. It’s far more difficult for divided communities to...
Monday, October 7, 2024 Chautauqua, N.Y. – Chautauqua Institution and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra (CSO) today announced a series of new musician appointments. Sharon Roffman joins the CSO as concertmaster after a two-year audition process, Stanislav Chernyshev as Principal Clarinet, and Matthew Strauss as Principal Timpani. Additionally, six exceptional violinists — Leslie Frey Anderegg, Zhe Deng, Zhen Lui, Molly McDonald, Kurt Munstedt and Timothy Peters — have been welcomed ahead of the 2025 season. Cristina Cutts Dougherty’s appointment as Principal Tuba is historic, as she becomes the first female principal tuba player in the orchestra’s history. Led by Music Director...
Chautauqua Arts Education is gearing up for another exciting school year. It promises to be a year of growth, engaging in more schools, strengthening partnerships and impacting students more broadly and deeply than ever before. Resident Teaching Artist Stephanie Dawson has been hard at work, scheduling the Feelin’ the Beat school residency, a drumming program. Over the course of the school year, we will be welcoming four new schools to the program, expanding to two new Little Seeds Preschool locations in Sinclairville and Fredonia, and two new schools in Dunkirk, bringing the total number of schools served to 14 this...
It is with great pleasure we announce news of staff promotions and transitions that stem from our strategic plan’s cross-cutting imperative to mobilize technology. That work has happened under the heading of Project 360, a multiyear project focused on modernizing and aligning Chautauqua’s technology tools to improve patron and staff experiences. The next phase of Project 360 will focus on the implementation of a customer relationship management (CRM) system — Salesforce. This initiative will unfold over the coming years and eventually impact every department at Chautauqua. Salesforce will provide transformational tools, enhancing and replacing systems currently being used in Advancement...
This summer was brimming with creativity and excitement as Chautauqua Arts Education extended its programming into the Summer Assembly. Through a wonderful partnership with the Jamestown Summer LEAP program and the Jamestown Boys and Girls Club, fueled by the generous support of the Winifred C. Dibert Foundation and the Lenna Foundation, Chautauqua hosted approximately 320 enthusiastic students by summer’s end. Weeks Five and Six brought a special treat: the return of teaching artists from the Young Playwrights Project (YPP) to the Jamestown Public Schools LEAP (Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress) program. This summer learning/day camp experience is open to current...
Cathrine and Craig Greene, Roe Green Foundation Gifts Celebrated Chautauqua Institution today announced two major projects have reached critical milestones through substantial philanthropic support as part of its 150th anniversary fundraising initiative, Boundless: A Campaign for Chautauqua. In recognition of major gifts supporting these capital projects, the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees voted to name two facilities in honor of the philanthropists whose contributions have made these essential projects a reality. Greene Family Commons: Renaming of Bellinger Hall Bellinger Hall, a cornerstone of Chautauqua’s residential life, will be renamed the Greene Family Commons following a transformational $10 million commitment...
Chautauqua Institution’s Board of Trustees elected Matthew Benson, Karen Goodell and Dave Pelton to four-year terms at the final meeting of the body’s 2023–24 cycle on Aug. 24. Board-elected trustees are vetted and nominated by the Board’s Nominating and Governance committee that considers the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to support the Institution’s leadership, advancement and evolution, guided by the strategic plan, 150 Forward: A Renewed Vision for Chautauqua Institution. Also at the Aug. 24 meeting, David Peckinpaugh was elected to a second four-year term. Additionally, members of the Chautauqua Corporation elected Michelle Adelman as the newest of the four trustees selected...
“Sabbath, Shabbat and Sabbatical: A Recipe for the Next 150 Years” Dr. Michael E. Hill, 18th President of Chautauqua Institution Good evening, Chautauqua. This year marks my eighth time presiding over this closing service that concludes our Summer Assembly, and I hope I never lose the wonder and awe that is created by Joshua Stafford, the Massey Organ, and Largo. It’s a deeply unfair act to follow, and yet, like Groundhog’s Day, I find myself here again. Thank you, Josh, and our amazing choir for the blessing you have been all summer. We have spent an entire summer celebrating Chautauqua’s...
Chautauqua today announced the appointment of internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves-Montgomery as Artistic Advisor and distinguished baritone Jonathan Beyer as Director of the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory. Together, they will help shape the program’s future during a pivotal time of transition and growth, building upon the 44-year legacy created by the late Marlena Malas. Graves-Montgomery will set the vision and priorities for the Opera Conservatory. Beyer will help shape and execute that vision, both through a close partnership with Graves-Montgomery in the planning phases and in overseeing the Conservatory’s day-to-day operations. Graves-Montgomery will bring her unparalleled prowess and vision to the Opera...
