EXPERIENCE THE FLORIDA CHAUTAUQUA

ART | HISTORY | RECREATION | RELIGION

2026 Assembly Cancelled

Message to Florida Chautauquans

After careful reflection, we’ve decided to cancel this year’s 2026 Assembly "Journey Into the 1980s." Chautauqua was built on strong pillars—art, education, recreation, and religion. The heart of our programming cultivated culture, civic engagement, and community connection. For a long time, gathering in this way made sense and brought real value. But we also know that how people learn, connect, and spend their time has changed.

Today, ideas are everywhere. Conversations happen across many spaces, in many forms. A traditional, lecture style, day-long event no longer feels like the best way to bring people together. What matters to us is creating something that is truly worth experiencing—not just hosting an event for the sake of tradition. That’s why we’re choosing to slow down, listen, and involve the community in shaping what comes next. We want to take the time to plan our next gathering with intention, clarity, and shared purpose. Rather than deliver something that feels more nostalgic than meaningful, we’ve chosen to pause and listen.

What comes next is an evolving Chautauqua. This moment marks the beginning of a new chapter. Instead of proceeding with a format we believe no longer serves our community at its best, we are reimagining what Chautauqua can become in today’s world.

We’re starting with a simple but essential question:

How do the Chautauqua pillars show up in modern life—and how can we strengthen them together?

To answer that, we are opening the door to participation.

We are:

• Launching a community survey

• Focus on future gatherings that are:

  • Relevant

  •  Accessible

  •  Collaborative

• Serve community needs/wants

Chautauqua will no longer be a single event—it is an evolving environment shaped by the people who live here. We invite you to be part of that process. Share your voice. Help shape what Chautauqua becomes next.

Together, we can create experiences that don’t just ask for attendance—but are worth showing up for.

Stay tuned for updates as we explore what the new Chautauqua looks like.

Board of Directors

Florida Chautauqua Association