Every year, philanthropy makes the Chautauqua experience possible. Like most not-for-profit organizations, Chautauqua Institution relies on annual, spendable contributions to sustain our programs, care for our grounds and facilities, advance strategic priorities and keep Chautauqua accessible to as many people as possible. Every gift reflects a meaningful connection to Chautauqua, and we are grateful for each donor’s generosity. Donors sometimes ask how their annual contributions are incorporated into Chautauqua’s budget. Chautauqua develops the annual operating budget before all contributions for the coming year have been received. To prepare that budget responsibly, we study prior-year giving and current giving patterns to...
Chautauqua Institution welcomes three new members to its Board of Trustees: Sarah Rosen, Kurt Miller and Christopher B. Nance. Each brings a unique perspective shaped by professional accomplishment and a longstanding connection to Chautauqua. As trustees, they will help steward the Institution’s mission and support its work for future generations. The Institution is fortunate to benefit from a tradition of engaged volunteer leadership, and we look forward to the contributions these new trustees will make in the years ahead. Sarah Rosen A lifelong advocate for non-profit organizations and philanthropy, Sarah Rosen has built a distinguished 30-year career in development and...
Our Department of Campus Planning & Operations will continue to be very busy in the post-season as we delve into preparations for the winter and work on projects for the 2027 Season. Our fantastic Gardens & Grounds team is continuing our intensive work on tree maintenance and removals following our evaluations completed in the spring and summer months. There have already been several tree removals and major trimmings to improve tree canopy safety and enhance remaining tree health. Some notable trees have been and will be removed due to poor health and damage from squirrels and insects, including two trees...
August 29, 2026 Dear Chautauquans, As the 2026 Summer Season drew to a close, the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees gathered for its August meeting at an important moment for the Institution. Trustees reflected on a successful season, welcomed new leadership transitions, and focused on the long-term decisions that will shape Chautauqua’s future. Throughout the meeting, one theme emerged consistently: stewardship. Whether discussing finances, housing, campus planning, governance or philanthropy, trustees focused on the responsibility of sustaining the Chautauqua we value today while preparing it to thrive for generations to come. Building a Sustainable Financial Foundation One of the board’s most significant actions was approving a set...
It has been four weeks since we last gathered together and shared in the wonder and awe that Chautauqua provides. For the Education pillar, that means the Amphitheater lecturers and Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle authors you engage with all summer, opportunities to deepen your learning and insight through the Masters Series, and the beloved community spaces and programs at the Smith Memorial Library and Oliver Archives Center. My colleagues and I, who oversee these programs, are incredibly proud of what we accomplished in 2026. It was so gratifying to realize many months of dreaming and planning as it became a living, breathing program...
What an outstanding season 2026 was for the Department of Religion, with moments of inspiration, enlightenment and even difficult conversations. The most common question I received during my first season as director of religion was, “How strong is the Religion pillar at Chautauqua these days?” My answer was often, “That all depends on your angle of vision and ultimately it depends on each of us.” It can be as strong as you experience it yourself, given there are enough opportunities for strengthening your faith and religious traditions that you could ever take advantage of in one season. Or it can...
As we reflect on an extraordinary Summer Season and all that we experienced together, we also look ahead to a new chapter for Chautauqua Institution under the leadership of President Mark Johnson. As Mark begins his role as the 19th president of the Institution, he is spending time listening to and learning from the people who make Chautauqua what it is. His connection to this community, commitment to lifelong learning and belief in exploring the best in human values continue to shape his vision for the Institution’s future. We invite you to get to know Mark a little better and hear more about the experiences and aspirations he brings to the presidency.
153rd Summer Assembly | August 30, 2026 With the conclusion of Chautauqua Institution’s 2026 Summer Assembly, the Closing Three Taps ceremony offered a moment to reflect on the season and look ahead to the work and promise of the years to come. The evening marked the conclusion of Kyle Keogh’s service as Interim Chief Executive and the beginning of a new chapter under Chautauqua’s 19th president, Mark Coolidge Johnson. Keogh reflected on stewardship and the responsibility to pass Chautauqua forward. Board Chair Laurie Branch expressed the community’s gratitude for Keogh’s leadership during a consequential period of transition. Johnson then offered...
Summer 2026 was a landmark season for Chautauqua’s performing and visual arts programs. For the first time since 2008, a newly constructed arts space opened: the Roe Green Theater Center. In its inaugural year, this space was a game-changer for Chautauqua Theater Company by offering state-of-the-art facilities for every stage of the creative process to provide a home for the work of our new FutureNow Playwriting Fellows. And it added some serious fun with the late-night series, boasting comedy and music – and drinks from the lobby bar. With 25 performances in its first year (most of which sold out!), the Michael E. Hill and Peter M. Korns Black Box at the Roe Green Theater Center...
In the spirit of Chautauqua’s summer of gratitude, members of the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees’ Nominating and Governance Committee were honored to participate in a recent community governance conversation at the invitation of the Chautauqua Property Owners Association (CPOA). We are grateful for the opportunity to answer questions about board governance, trustee service, and the board’s role in advancing Chautauqua Institution’s mission. The following are highlights from that conversation. What is the role of the Nominating & Governance Committee? What is the difference between Class A and Class B Trustees? How are Class A and Class B Trustees identified and recommended? ...