Chautauqua: Theater, Opera and Garden Art

The grounds of the Chautauqua Institution are shaped by theater history, opera, visual arts and garden spaces. Its offerings include historic theaters as well as seasonal stage and exhibition programs; at the same time, the Arboreta encompasses a 250-acre landscape. When planning your visit, you can consider whether performances, art or green spaces should shape your stay most.

Stages and Seasonal Opera

Built in 1885, the Bratton Theater is one of the oldest buildings on the Institution grounds. After renovations, it reopened in 2000 with 269 seats. The dates distinguish its construction history from its later renovation, while the seating capacity gives a concrete sense of the venue’s size.

Founded in 1929, the Chautauqua Opera Company is North America’s oldest continuously operating summer opera company. It offers more than 30 opera events per season; the number and formats may vary from season to season. These include three main productions at the historic 1,300-seat Norton Hall and the 4,000-seat Amphitheater of the Chautauqua Institution. The program also includes concerts with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, weekly Artsong recitals, opera performances for young audiences, Young Artist Open-Mic evenings and Opera Invasions. During the season, the company also uses Norton Hall and the Jane A. Gross Opera Center. By comparison, the 269-seat Bratton Theater is on a different scale from the two larger venues.

An admission pass to the Chautauqua Institution provides unlimited access to the grounds and general admission to all events in the Amphitheater. If a particular performance is a deciding factor for your trip, check the seasonal program and access details before you travel.

Art Venues Between Exhibitions and Architecture

The CVA Galleries include the Strohl Art Center, Fowler-Kellogg Art Center and Melvin Johnson Sculpture Garden. Together, they offer a contemporary exhibition space, historic buildings and changing works in a garden setting.

The Strohl Art Center at 33 Wythe Avenue is a contemporary exhibition space. It covers 6,000 square feet and is characterized by white walls, hardwood floors and high ceilings. The Fowler-Kellogg Art Center was built in 1889 and was formerly known as Anne M. Kellogg Memorial Hall. The restored, two-story Queen Anne-style building features a coffered wood ceiling and Brazilian cherry floors. The contrast between the contemporary character of the Strohl Art Center and the historic architecture of the Fowler-Kellogg Art Center gives the art venues distinct architectural qualities.

Each summer, the Melvin Johnson Sculpture Garden features changing sculptures and installations by various contemporary artists. The works on display change, so the specific selection depends on the season.

Gardens and Landscape in the Arboreta

The Chautauqua Bird, Tree and Garden Club Arboreta encompasses the 250-acre grounds of the Chautauqua Institution. Chautauqua Lake forms its western boundary; a fence bounds the grounds to the north, south and east. These boundaries give the expansive landscape a clearly defined perimeter.

About 4,000 trees stand among 1,200 private residences and 164 Institution buildings. The Arboreta also includes three wooded ravines and two wooded areas totaling 15 acres. Numerous small public gardens, green spaces and parks can be found on the grounds. The landscape also includes a lakeshore that has been modified in an ecologically sustainable way. Together, the figures for trees and land areas give a sense of the Arboreta’s scale and its combination of natural and residential spaces.

Getting Around and Planning Your Accommodation

Walking and cycling are the usual ways to get around the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution, especially during the Summer Assembly Season. This is a practical consideration when planning your stay: take into account the seasonal nature of the cultural program and consider whether you want to focus mainly on performances, exhibitions or garden and landscape spaces. If a particular opera production or art presentation is the deciding factor, look for a vacation rental for your preferred dates and check the program and access details before you travel.

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