The future of Chautauqua is built in many ways: through leadership, generosity, stewardship and creativity. In this issue, we introduce new trustees who will help guide the Institution in the years ahead, explain how philanthropy supports the programs and places that define the Chautauqua experience and highlight ongoing efforts to care for our treasured historic grounds. We also celebrate a remarkable artistic milestone as Lincoln in the Bardo, developed in part at Chautauqua, takes its place on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera.
Welcoming New Members to the Board of Trustees
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.
You are invited to join President Mark Johnson for his first Community Webinar at 2 p.m. ET Tuesday, Nov. 10. During this live online conversation, Mark will share updates following the November Board of Trustees meeting and answer questions from the community.
Whether you’re a year-round resident, seasonal homeowner, donor, volunteer or longtime friend of Chautauqua, this is an opportunity to hear directly from Chautauqua's new president and stay informed about the work shaping the Institution’s future.
Register today and submit your questions in advance. A recording will be provided to all registrants who are unable to attend live.
Amit Taneja, interim chief advancement officer and senior director for community and belonging
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.
In Conversation: Mark Johnson on WVIB's Buffalo Brief
As Chautauqua begins a new era under President Mark Johnson’s leadership, opportunities to introduce him to audiences across western New York are important to building awareness and strengthening regional connections. In a recent appearance on WIVB-TV’s Buffalo Brief, Mark discussed what drew him to Chautauqua, what he has learned in his first months as president and why the Institution’s mission matters today. Because many members of our community may not have had a chance to see the segment, we are sharing it with you here.
Existing and Upcoming Projects Across Chautauqua's Grounds
John Shedd, vice president of campus planning
and operations
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.
From Chautauqua to the Met: Steven Osgood Conducts Lincoln in the Bardo
Lincoln in the Bardo premiered this month at the Metropolitan Opera, bringing a new American work with strong ties to Chautauqua Institution to the stage.
Based on George Saunders’s Booker Prize-winning novel, Lincoln in the Bardo features music by Missy Mazzoli and a libretto by Royce Vavrek. The opera tells the story of Willie Lincoln, the 11-year-old son of Abraham Lincoln, whose spirit lingers in the “bardo,” a transitional realm between life and death.
Before arriving at the Metropolitan Opera, the work underwent significant development at Chautauqua. In July 2025, Chautauqua Opera Company and Conservatory and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra hosted a two-week workshop of the opera, bringing together Mazzoli, Vavrek and Saunders as the piece was refined ahead of its world premiere. Commissioned by the Met, Lincoln in the Bardo was shaped in part through that Chautauqua residency before becoming the company’s 32nd world premiere.
Steven Osgood, general and artistic director, Chautauqua Opera Company, continues his connection to the project at the Metropolitan Opera, where he will conduct the performance on Oct. 31.
The Met production features baritone Peter Mattei as Abraham Lincoln alongside an acclaimed cast that includes Christine Goerke, who appeared in the Chautauqua workshop, Stephanie Blythe and Anthony Roth Costanzo. Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, the opera arrives at the Met during the nation’s semiquincentennial year, offering a distinctly American story of grief, compassion and redemption.
For Chautauquans who attended the Norton Hall presentation in 2025, Osgood’s appearance on the Met podium represent a strong connection between the workshop process and the final production. More broadly, the opera reflects Chautauqua's ongoing role in supporting the development of important new work and the artists who bring it to audiences around the world.
Chautauqua Institution is a gathering place for the curious, and through our online programs, that place extends far beyond our grounds. Every lecture, interfaith conversation and cultural performance presented online creates a shared experience of lifelong learning and connection wherever you are.
How Your Support Keeps the Conversation Alive
Producing and sharing these programs with the world takes a dedicated community. Sustaining memberships enable us to continue ensuring that thought-provoking dialogues remain accessible to all.
We know that circumstances change, and we want to make managing your journey with us as flexible as possible. Our membership tier pricing allows you to tailor your access to our programs and control your level of membership any time of year:
To adjust your support: If your needs have changed and you’d like to transition to a different monthly level, you can easily upgrade or downgrade your account by visiting your YouTube paid membership page. Find your purchase for Chautauqua Institution and select “Manage membership." From there, you will see options to change your membership. While logged in to your YouTube account, you can also go directly to our membership page at www.youtube.com/chautauquainstitution/join and select a different membership tier from the pop-up on your screen. Please note that changes to your membership are easiest to make on a laptop or computer and not on a tablet or phone.
To keep exploring: No matter how you choose to engage, our free public archives and seasonal playlists are always here for you to watch, reflect and share.
Thank you for being the heart of Chautauqua. For additional information and assistance, please reach out directly to assemblysupport@chq.org. Your presence — and your support — ensures that the porch lights of our community stay lit for everyone.
Planning Ahead for 2027 at the Athenaeum Hotel
As another season at the Athenaeum Hotel comes to a close, planning for 2027 is already underway. While the hotel is now closed for the winter, reservations are open for next season, and guests can begin making plans to return to Chautauqua.
The Athenaeum Hotel will reopen May 1, 2027, with overnight accommodations and the Lobby Lounge welcoming guests throughout the season. Reservations for weeklong in-season stays are now available online and by phone, allowing returning guests and first-time visitors to secure their preferred dates early.
The hotel is also accepting bookings for 2027 weddings, reunions, conferences and other special events. Individuals and organizations interested in hosting an event at Chautauqua are encouraged to contact the sales team soon, as popular dates are already seeing strong interest.
Whether you’re planning a summer vacation, a family gathering, or a memorable event, now is the perfect time to begin making plans for the 2027 Season at Chautauqua.
