Get Involved

Become a Billet Host

Last year, Muskoka Chautauqua relied on the generous hospitality of our community to provide accommodations for our visiting artists, staff, students, and production crew. We are once again seeking local residents to open their homes for the 2026 festival.

Billeting is not only essential to the success of our festival but is a rewarding experience. As a past billet host told us, “We, my husband and I, were so pleased to host a lovely, respectful young lady over the Chautauqua event. We didn’t really get to see her much as she was kept very busy with the events. When she had free time, we enjoyed talking to her. We appreciated the offer to attend events and were able to enjoy those of our choosing. We wouldn’t hesitate to host again.” – Brenda S.

We are looking for hosts who can provide a safe and welcoming home for our artists for anywhere from two to ten nights during the length of the festival. Providing an unused guest room, a private apartment, or even an RV can help our participants get the rest they need to bring the festival to life.

What does a billet space look like?

Private or semi-private apartments are highly desired (e.g., a granny suite or a self-contained bedroom with its own bathroom and separate entrance).
A private bedroom in your home with access to a bathroom and shared living and cooking spaces.
Internet access is a huge plus, as is access to laundry facilities.
Our artists are professionals who will be busy at the festival. They are not expecting maid service. They provide their own food and may need some room in the fridge. They are expected to clean up after themselves and will respect your home.

Our Appreciation for You

As a token of our appreciation, we offer our billet hosts a variety of rewards, including:

A tax receipt for each week of billeting.
Complimentary tickets to festival events.
To ensure a successful and positive experience for everyone, someone at Muskoka Chautauqua will be happy to visit your home and answer any questions you may have.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a billet host, please contact us at (705) 765-1048 or mci@artsinmuskoka.com.

Current Job Postings

 

Looking for Opportunity? We’re Hiring.

1. Event Coordinator.

2. Marketing & Communications Coordinator. 

From temporary student co-op placements to year-long professional internships, we are looking for motivated individuals ready to dive in. We welcome applications from students of any program or institution.

Apply now by emailing a copy of your resume and cover letter to Gayle Dempsey, Director of Development, at mci@artsinmuskoka.com.

 

Artist and Performer Applications

We are always looking for artists, performers, literary lecturers and others to join us in presenting at the Muskoka Chautauqua Windermere Festival of the Arts. If you’re interested in applying to be apart of the festival, please fill out an application here.

Apply to Showcase Your Art at the Gallery of the Woods

We invite visual artists to showcase and sell their work at the Gallery of the Woods during the Windermere Festival of the Arts. If you would like to have your artwork considered for display, please complete the Artwork Submission Form and Artist Waiver here.

Volunteers

We are always looking for eager and excited volunteers to help us make Muskoka Chautauqua bigger and better! If you’re interested, please complete this form.

Patrons

Through the generosity of our patrons, we are able to bring exceptional talent from elsewhere to the Muskoka region. If you are interested in becoming the patron for a specific programming element of our summer festival, please contact us here. We have exciting patron opportunities at various donation levels available.

Recognition

We couldn’t do what we do without the generous ongoing support from our donors, patrons and sponsors, who allow Muskoka Chautauqua to keep our programs open and accessible to all. We would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who helps us bring our vision to life.

Individual Donors

Kathie Nunno

Anne Clement

Margaret Atkinson

Diane Adamson Brdar

Marg Bartlett

Charlotte Grahamdyball

Steve Grigg

Greg Hall

Sheila MacIver

Mikayla Smith

Christopher Smith

Elizabeth King

Doug McIntyre

Patricia Marshall

Carleton Millar

Susan Murphy

Judith Needham

Roland Nimmo

Judith Benson

Kathy Varley

Susan Beach

Donna McLaren

Susan mazan

victoria grant

Rosemary Norbruis

Gayle Nummelin

Mikayla Paro

John Wright

Don & Karen Lang

Margaret More

Erin Monett

James Murphy

Jennie Keating

Martha & Alf Davis

Sandy Lockhart

John McNair

Elizabeth Clarke

Jane Angus

Marc Benoit

JP Bergeron

Massey Beveridge

Collin Reaney

Jon Gurr

Victoria Steele

Margaret Peacock

Shirley smith 

cheryl hollows

gayle dempsey

Mary Connolly

Donald Currie

Sheila Day

Janice Dunlop

Gary Elliot

William Etherington

Jane Evans

Megan Faulkner

Susan Fraser

Rebecca Brown

Donald Burwell

John Cleghorn

Patricia Collie

Michelle Vincent

Robert Visentin

Karen Wade

Terrance Wolf

John Wright

John Shortreed

Gail MacNaughton

Barrie Peacock

evelyn archibald

Martha stigler

Gary froude

 

Sandy McIntyre

Seasons in the Country

Fine Thymes Bistro and Bakery

Susan Gosevitz

Rudy Haggeman

Alex Hyslop

Linda Langford

Marilyn Leahy

Rene Leenaars

Kathryn Posluns

Deanna Rumsey

Katherine Sebold

Smellies Print Shop

Carol-Lynn Smilsky

Mark Stivrins

Donald Thompson

Holly Veitch

Kim & Stu LAng

Jodie Cator

Jennifer Dutton-Munn

Phil Garratt

Glad Bryce 

Paul and patricia arney

Lena dutton    

Foundations

Audrey S. Hellyer Charitable Foundation

 

 

Donald F. Hunter Foundation

LANG FAMILY FOUNDATION