Chautauqua is a program format that exemplifies experiential, interactive learning for the whole family. Although the Missouri Chautauqua has taken place only in June, and always under a tent, the outdoor setting, the season of the year, and the tent are not things that define the Chautuaqua learning experience.
Chautauqua is uniquely powerful because it combines the "suspension of disbelief" of theatrical experience with interaction between the audience and the performer. A skilled Chautauqua performer takes you out of the present and into a previous era. Yet no matter how alien or strange the subject matter, you are able to connect with it because you engage in discussion with the person from the past.
In 2008 and 2009 MHC will support a touring Chautauqua on the theme of "That's Entertainment."
"That's Entertainment!"
From circus acts to movies, and popular fiction to popular music, "THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!" spotlights a broad range of mass entertainment by portraying innovative figures that helped democratize this field. Far from the highbrow, these figures brought often-inexpensive entertainment to new kinds of audiences. Hosts for the 2008 Chautauqua tour are Carthage & Webb City (Co-sponsored by Co-sponsored by the Powers Museum, Carthage Public Library, Friends of the Carthage Public Library, and Friends of the Webb City Public Library), Kirkwood Public Library, Community of Osage Beach, and Pike County.
Community Applications to Host the Tour in 2009
The application materials for host communities are downloadable now, with a deadline of May 21, 2008 to allow a year of lead time for each selected community.
2009 Application - Word
2009 Application - PDF
Locally-Designed Chautauquas
MHC welcomes grant proposals to implement additional Chautauqua programs that are designed locally. This opportunity opened up in 2007 and resulted in new Chautauqua programs in Cedar Hill and Warrensburg. Towns may develop Chautauqua programs on a variety of models. For example:
- A Chautauqua festival entails at least three historical figures, but it may include more than five.
- Programs may be scheduled in any public venue. A tent is not required.
- Programs may be scheduled in any season.
- Programs may be scheduled up to a month apart, or as tightly as three programs in a single day.
- Programs need to be tied into a unifying theme.
Support Materials
The Missouri Humanities Council has produced materials to help you find Chautauqua performers throughout the United States and to plan and carry out a successful series of programs.
The PDF version of the Directory downloads twice as fast as the WORD file and the internal hyperlinks are faster, too.
- National Directory of Chautauqua Performers (WORD) V2.1 Jan 3, 08
- National Directory of Chautauqua Performers (PDF) V2.1 Jan 3, 08
- Home-Grown Chautauqua How-To (WORD)
- Home-Grown Chautauqua How-To (PDF)
- Committee List and Duties (WORD)
- Committee List and Duties (PDF)
- Guidelines for MHC Grants
Note: Most MHC on-line documents are available in MS Word .DOC or Acrobat .PDF format. Acrobat Reader is FREE software from Adobe. If you don't have the Acrobat Reader, just click on this link to download it from Adobe. An accessible, text-only Adobe Reader is also available for screen reader users.
updated March 27, 2008
