Chautauqua Institution

Alyse Nelson, President & CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership, joins our 2026 Chautauqua Lecture Series in the first week of the season. Part of a week on Icons and Instigators: Women Who Change the World, this session will explore how women leaders are transforming communities around the globe, drawing on Nelson’s 28 years of work empowering women across 188 countries. 📆 June 30 | 🕙 10:45 a.m. 🎟️ Save the date: Tickets + passes on sale Jan. 20

From the opening lecture to the final notes in the Amphitheater, the #CHQ2025 season reminded us that when people gather with purpose, extraordinary things happen. Thanksgiving may be behind us, but our gratitude continues for your presence, your support and the gifts that helped build a stronger, more resilient Chautauqua this year. As you plan for 2026, consider a year-end gift to support Chautauqua’s mission—and get ready for the new season, with tickets going on sale Jan. 20! 🎁 Every gift counts. Make yours today: https://bit.ly/44vGqCL

Former Chautauqua Lecture Series speaker Mathy V. Stanislaus highlights a critical but often overlooked risk: extreme heat. Though typically NOT listed as a cause of death, last year FEMA recorded more heat-related fatalities than any other weather event. With global temperatures continuing to rise, understanding and addressing this risk is more urgent than ever for public health, policy, and community resilience. 🎥 Full lecture & more available on YouTube https://bit.ly/4ocgTGF

#CHQ2025 Update: We’re pleased to share that Amit Taneja will serve as our interim chief advancement officer for the coming year, while continuing his role as senior director of community and belonging! With extensive experience in fundraising, team leadership, and strategic planning, Amit is well-positioned to help strengthen donor relationships and advance Chautauqua’s mission. Please join us in welcoming him to this expanded role!

This past season reaffirmed why Chautauqua matters. From its vibrant programs to its inspired dialogue, Chautauqua remains a community dedicated to renewal. With remarkable performances, insightful lectures, and a vibrant energy across the grounds, the spirit of this place continues to endure and evolve. We’ve set a $5.3 million goal for the Chautauqua Fund, and thanks to our generous community, we’ve already raised over $4.3 million. Your support helps ensure Chautauqua remains a national leader in the arts and civil dialogue for years to come. 🎁 Every gift strengthens our mission. Make yours today: https://bit.ly/43CSbXT

Sally Jewell, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and a past Chautauqua Lecture Series speaker, reminds us of the importance of protecting our planet. Her message is especially relevant today: the decisions we make now — in our communities, workplaces, and leadership roles — will determine the world we leave for future generations. 🎥 Full lecture & more available on YouTube https://bit.ly/4ocgTGF

Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns and Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, join our 2026 Chautauqua Lecture Series for not one, but two back-to-back joint lectures! In Week Six of the season — America at 250, presented in partnership with the National Constitution Center and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation — their two-day session will explore the ideas and conflicts that have shaped our nation and continue to define American democracy today. 📆 Aug. 3 & 4 | 🕙 10:45 a.m. 🎟 Ticket and pass sales open in early 2026

Through Chautauqua Arts Education’s Young Playwrights Project, local students move from classroom brainstorming to seeing their original plays performed live on stage. In this story from Jamestown’s CC Ring Elementary, third-grader Thea Baehr and her teacher, Beth Johnson, show how the arts help young people find their voice — and the confidence to share it. 🎬 Watch the full story below

When violence hit Oakland, former Chautauqua Lecture Series speaker Rue Mapp asked herself, “What am I to do?” Her answer: lead people outside. Outdoor Afro’s first healing hike brought generations together in the redwoods, demonstrating how nature can serve as a space for healing, connection, and resilience. In today’s world, where communities face ongoing stress and division, her story reminds us that fostering connection through nature is not only restorative—it builds stronger, more resilient communities. 🎥 Full lecture & more available on our YouTube channel https://bit.ly/4ocgTGF

Former Chautauqua Lecture Series speaker, Dr. Kelsey Leonard, warns that without meaningful change, future generations could see parts of the Eastern Seaboard disappear beneath the ocean. Her message is a reminder that addressing climate challenges isn’t just environmental — it’s a matter of intergenerational responsibility. 🎥 Full lecture & more available on our YouTube channel https://bit.ly/4ocgTGF