Our Amphitheater events feature a dynamic mix of artists, musicians, comedians entertainers and speakers, and attract enthusiastic crowds to our 4,400-seat, open-air Amphitheater.

Performing 22 concerts including two accompanying visiting dance companies, our resident professional orchestra also provides musicians that perform for Chautauqua Opera.

Internationally known actors, directors, designers and writers join 19 emerging artists drawn from top training programs to produce a vibrant body of work in the historic Bratton Theater.

Chautauqua Opera is the oldest continuously producing summer opera company in the U.S. as well as the fourth-oldest American opera company overall.

The Chautauqua Dance program, formed by artistic director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux in 1989, includes performances by internationally acclaimed ballet and modern dance companies and the renowned School of Dance.

Chautauqua Chamber Music, held in the intimate setting of Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall, offers a variety of chamber music experiences each season with a diverse selection of ensembles. Chautauqua Chamber Music features a Guest Artist Series on Mondays, and a Resident Artist Series on Saturdays. Both series offer world class artistry and a wide variety of ensembles and genres, ranging from traditional string quartets and classical repertoire to jazz and contemporary music of our time.

Chautauqua Chamber Music: Guest Artist Series

Existing since 1987, Chautauqua’s chamber music series has long been dedicated to bringing world-class chamber ensembles to Chautauqua. This Guest Artist Series is dedicated to supporting and featuring full-time chamber ensembles of any make-up and genre that are committed to the intimate and powerful art of chamber music. Sometimes thought of as “the music of friends,” chamber music performed by dedicated ensembles can create musical experiences that transcend solo efforts, creating journeys for the listener that have been honed over hours, and often years, of rehearsals and music-making.

Chautauqua Institution is a Concert Artists Guild Performance Prize Presenter and partners with Fischoff, the nation’s largest chamber music competition.

Chautauqua Chamber Music: Resident Artist Series

Chautauqua resident artists include members of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, School of Music faculty and other guests that are in residence for an extended period of time. These artists are nationally and internationally recognized and Chautauqua is proud to present this series giving both artist and audiences an opportunity to celebrate the collaborative talent and passion that exists within Chautauqua’s own resident artists.

Timothy Muffitt, Artistic Advisor, Chautauqua Chamber Music Resident Artist Series

The Chautauqua Visual Arts (CVA) includes the School of Art, the galleries of the Strohl Art Center, the Fowler-Kellogg Art Center, the Melvin Johnson Sculpture Garden and the visual arts lecture series.

Chautauqua Institution is dedicated to creating opportunities for students and teachers to explore the arts in a hands-on, engaging way, in Chautauqua County schools and beyond. Chautauqua Arts Education programs, for Pre-K through 12th grade, encourage creativity and self-expression through music, theater, visual arts, and writing. These experiences help students connect with each other and the community, all while giving them the chance to learn about the world through the arts and develop their artistic skills. 

CHQ AIR is an initiative that provides incubating space for artists to explore their work, nurture new mediums and hone their craft utilizing our world-class galleries, studios and stages. Year-round, we offer artists with diverse backgrounds the opportunity to join us for a two – four-week residency (on-site housing and research support provided) at our historic 750-acre lakeside Institution situated in the bucolic landscape of western New York State. 

Arts Access is an ASI (Arts Services Inc.) program that provides free access to over 50 arts and cultural organizations across Western New York for individuals who receive any form of income-based public assistance, including Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, and others.