Chautauqua Institution 2024 Annual Report Introduction The 150th anniversary of our storied institution, celebrated in 2024, had long been a milestone we eagerly anticipated. It offered the opportunity to honor the Institution’s significant influence and impact, not only in the history of the United States but well beyond its borders. We anchored our anniversary year with the theme The Seasons and Stories of Chautauqua, which came to life through multiple recognitions of Chautauqua’s seasons. These included the publication of “Chautauqwhat? A Short History of a Place and an Idea” by Archivist and Historian Jon Schmitz (now in its second edition), a reenactment of...
As winter settles over Chautauqua County this January, the Young Playwrights Project (YPP) is once again breathing life into classrooms across the region, marking its eleventh year of empowering young minds through the art of storytelling. For 2025, the program has expanded its reach, now serving eight schools and bringing the magic of playwriting to 33 third and fourth grade classrooms. The participating schools include Bush, Fletcher, Lincoln, Love, and Ring Elementary Schools in Jamestown; Chautauqua Lake Elementary School in Mayville; Clymer Central School in Clymer; and Hewes BOCES Educational Center in Ashville. At its core,YPP is all about inspiring...
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) recently issued the new Wetlands Regulations. New Informational Wetlands delineation maps were also created showing areas in blue that will require a “Jurisdictional Determination” from the NYSDEC if a project is proposed within the blue areas or within 100 feet of those areas. These maps do not currently reflect potential in-lake wetland delineations. NYSDEC is working on those delineations and will update the map as they finalize them. The new maps indicate some newly designated wetland areas within Chautauqua Institution areas including around the marsh between the Woodlands and Turner Community...
Chautauqua Institution today announced that Amit Taneja will assume additional responsibilities as Senior Vice President of Community Relations & Chief IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility) Officer. Reporting directly to Chautauqua President Michael E. Hill, Ed.D., Taneja will continue to drive key initiatives that make Chautauqua Institution a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible community while also deepening its engagement with community organizations. In his expanded role, Taneja will lead efforts to strengthen community relations, acting as the principal executive liaison between the Institution and various community groups, including the Chautauqua Property Owners Association (CPOA). He will support volunteer appreciation...
Each summer, friends and families gather to live, learn, and laugh on the shores of Chautauqua Lake. With a unique blend of thought-provoking lectures, powerful performances, invigorating classes and diverse recreational opportunities—from golfing on our four-star rated courses to sailing on our beloved lake—there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So come for the day, or opt. for a summer-long stay; this unforgettable experience can be found in only one place — Chautauqua Institution. Chautauqua is your ultimate vacation destination, and in 2025, we invite you to experience a summer filled with respite, community and personal growth. Whether you’re visiting as...
Chautauqua Institution Director of Religion Programs Rafia Amina Khader has been named to Interfaith America’s 2024–25 Interfaith Innovation Fellowship Cohort. Khader is among the cohort’s 11 outstanding interfaith leaders who will convene over the next year to leverage their collective knowledge toward shared action as they seek to meet a felt need in their community through an interfaith lens. According to the Interfaith America release, the Innovation Fellows were selected from Interfaith America’s Emerging Leaders Network because of their proven commitment to constructive interfaith cooperation and demonstrated ability to make meaningful and longstanding impact in their communities. In her role as a fellow, Khader...
The Forum Dialogues proved to be a constructive endeavor and provided the leadership of the Institution with feedback and ideas on several operational issues. This report summarizes the recommendations received and their status in terms of our current thinking. In the report below, we have organized our work to reflect four distinct categories: As mentioned in previous reports, we received a large amount of feedback, and it became clearer to us via the dialogues that different community members have different focus areas for their Chautauqua experience. That is one of the things that makes Chautauqua unique and meaningful for our...
A reminder to those who are spending the holidays at Chautauqua, there are some special events happening on the grounds for you to consider.
Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), the resident theater company of Chautauqua Institution, announces plans for the world premiere of Tell Me You’re Dying, a CTC-commissioned work by Brooklyn-based playwright C.A. Johnson. This year marks CTC’s third consecutive year producing a world premiere, underscoring the company’s commitment to supporting fresh voices in American theater. C.A. Johnson, an emerging powerhouse known for her poignant, complex explorations of human relationships, offers audiences an unconventional tale of love and survival against an apocalyptic backdrop. The world premiere of Tell Me You’re Dying is an opportunity to experience a daring and genre-blending production — a post-apocalyptic...
Chautauqua Opera Company and Conservatory, the resident opera company and conservatory of Chautauqua Institution, announced today its 2025 season. Chautauqua Opera Company For its 2025 season, Chautauqua Opera continues its 95-year history of producing opera at Chautauqua Institution while also strengthening its commitment to developing new opera. Alongside a production of Puccini’s La bohème in Chautauqua’s Amphitheater, the company will conduct workshops of three new operas. Ranging from chamber operas to large-scale pieces, these workshops will feature Chautauqua Opera Company’s 16 Young Artists collaborating with celebrated composers and librettists. Chautauqua audiences will have the exclusive opportunity to experience these new...
