ABOUT ATHENS CHAUTAUQUA SOCIETY

The Athens Chautauqua Society has witnessed phenomenal growth in its short history as a non-profit, community cultural organization in Athens-Clarke County providing humanities-focused, educational programs for the general public. In addition, we develop programs (currently virtual) that encourage and support civic discourse and engagement.

Athens is the only Georgia venue selected to participate in Greenville Chautauqua’s highly successful, History Comes Alive festival and programs that bring history to life through interactive theater and engaging lectures, and where compelling discussion stimulates critical thinking.  Both the Athens and Greenville Chautauquas believe “history comes alive” when historical characters tell their stories in their own words.

The “Chautauqua Movement” started in the late1870s to bring educational lectures and entertainment throughout small towns across the United States and Canada.

The Athens Chautauqua Society (a 501c3 nonprofit organized in 2019) is a “rebirth” of the first Athens Chautauqua that was held in April 1914 and continued for five more years until 1919. Most likely, the Spanish flu may have helped bring about its demise. Athens Chautauqua Society is now attempting to revitalize this “movement” even during the time of COVID 19 by using virtual learning.

Like the Chautauqua Institution founded in 1874 near Jamestown, New York, the Athens Chautauqua Society is “dedicated to the exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life through a program that explores the important religious, social and political issues of our times.”

Board of Directors
Dr. Peter Balsamo, President; Dr. Art Crawley, Past President; Terry Kaley, Secretary; John Muthe, Treasurer Dr. Andy Horne, Tom Kenyon, Kendell Turner, Dr. Bill Alworth, John Roeder, Madeline Van Dyck

Upcoming Events

Youth and Opportunity: What Should We Do for Future Generations to Thrive? (Virtual public deliberation on Zoom)