CHAUTAUQUA — Chautauqua Institution has released a plan to present programming for in-person audiences during its 2021 summer assembly season, pending evolving guidance and regulations from state, federal and local government officials.

The approach was approved by the Institution’s Board of Trustees at its Dec. 9 meeting, and was shared with members of the community via a series of webinars.

“This working plan is the result of our team having spent the entire fall consulting experts, learning from the experience of industry colleagues, and observing and analyzing government regulations concerning entities with operations similar to Chautauqua’s. We took those learnings alongside the evolving news but promise of vaccines, and crafted a series of informed assumptions about what we might encounter in June,” said Michael E. Hill, president of Chautauqua Institution. “We come to this decision with clear eyes regarding the current heightened state of the pandemic, and I hope this news can provide our patrons hope and something to look forward to. I know it has for our team. We pray in the meantime for rapid vaccine uptake and, always, for the health and safety of all members of our greater Chautauqua and regional communities.”

Hill noted all institution operations will meet – and in many cases exceed – federal, state and local regulations. Details of how these mandated policies and procedures will affect the patron experience will be shared as the season approaches, following more firm guidance from authorities.

The institution plans to use its open-air Amphitheater as its primary programming venue for all major programs, though it is anticipated patron capacity would need to be reduced to comply with guidelines. A modified gate pass structure will help Chautauqua manage access to its venues, including the introduction of a long-term pass that does not include Amphitheater programming, at a substantially reduced price. Holders of the new pass will be able to curate their own Chautauqua experience via purchase of single event tickets for any programs they wish to attend.

Ticket sales for long-term passes will begin in January. Day passes and single-event ticket sales are expected to begin in February and March. On-sale dates for classes, theater, opera and family and youth programs are to be determined. The 2021 fee structure is available at //chq.org/rates.

“The limits of our programming and venue capacity give us an opportunity to experiment with various aspects of our operations and procedures in a way that Chautauqua rarely has capacity to do,” said Emily Morris, senior vice president and chief brand officer. “Many of these changes will be exclusive to 2021, but we plan to approach all changes with an experimental disposition, so we can track key learnings to inform future planning.”

Chautauqua’s 2020 program plans include its major in-house programs, pending health and safety regulations, and accommodating changes to conform to a reconfigured daily and weekly schedule. This includes daily ecumenical services, the two primary lecture series daily from the departments of Education and Religion, popular shows, theater and opera productions, Massey Organ concerts, master classes and enrichment courses, and performances by the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and students of the Music School Festival Orchestra. Other traditional Chautauqua programs may appear primarily on the digital platforms of CHQ Assembly, including some Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle author discussions. Chautauqua’s Schools of Performing and Visual Arts will convene abridged and appropriately distanced training programs in dance, music and the visual arts.

“While we’re tempering our expectations in terms of what we will be able to stage per health regulations, it’s exciting to think about the possibilities and sheer joy of sharing ideas and art and creating memories together again,” said Deborah Sunya Moore, vice president of performing and visual arts, and interim senior vice president and chief program officer. “We look forward to building back our programmatic base thoughtfully and with the safety of our speakers, performers, students, audience members and staff as the highest priority.”

Also among Chautauqua’s planned offerings are increased and enhanced outdoor dining and recreational activities, following successful operations during the 2020 summer. Private on-grounds businesses will be able to operate in accordance with regulations, at the owners’ discretion, just as in 2021.

Chautauqua’s 2021 planning approach leaves room for adjustments based on evolving regulations and regional and national circumstances, including scaling up, if possible. For those unable or unwilling to visit Chautauqua in 2021, the Institution plans to broadcast as many programs as is feasible via livestream on CHQ Assembly, pending speaker and artist contracts.

Updates on 2021 Chautauqua planning will be shared at 2021.chq.org.