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This season, guests from all over the world will have the opportunity to rediscover Taliesin West and learn more about Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy and principles of architecture in entirely new ways, thanks to a robust lineup of brand-new, daily tours, cultural programs and events, and education initiatives recently launched by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona.
With construction beginning in 1938, Taliesin West served as both Wright’s desert laboratory and a place of community, innovation, design, art and performance. As part of a continued effort to preserve that Wright’s legacy and advance the Foundation’s mission to inspire the world to discover and embrace an architecture for better living through meaningful connections to nature, the arts and each other, the World Heritage Site is debuting a full calendar of in-person and virtual event series and programming that celebrates the global impact and influence of the greatest American architect.
Available to the public as well as Frank Lloyd Wright members, here are a few highlights of what’s new at Taliesin West this season, from sunset tours to Shakespeare-inspired performances, expert-led lectures, art workshops, K-12 learning camps and more.
Tours
A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Reservations strongly recommended.
Guided by Wright Audio Tour | 60 minutes
This new tour provides visitors with a unique, multi-sensory experience to gain a deeper understanding of Taliesin West using recordings of Wright’s own voice and words. Hearing Wright’s ideas spoken as one moves through the space allows unexpected opportunities to explore his connection to nature, poetry and art, and other philosophies that inspired his work.
In A New Light Tour: Wright & Chihuly | 90 minutes | Launching Dec. 2021
As its name suggests, this upcoming tour offers a chance to experience Taliesin West in a new way with a guided tour through the most iconic spaces at the site that also includes an examination of stunning artworks by the internationally celebrated contemporary artist, Dale Chihuly. When seen together, visitors will explore the similarity of the artists’ inspiration through nature, world cultures, and the power of great spaces – together, a masterclass in innovation, experimentation, and great design.
Cultural Programs & Events
The Foundation continuously works to provide new pathways for audiences to discover Taliesin West in new ways through regular art exhibits, theater performances and hands-on workshops led by subject-matter experts.
Southwest Shakespeare | Launching Oct. 2021
Founded in 1993, the Southwest Shakespeare Company has become one of the key members of the arts and culture community in the Valley. With a mission to elevate, entertain, educate, and inspire the public and educational communities of Arizona and the Southwest through vivid and passionate performances, the Company will continue to bring new and diverse talent, innovative performances and exciting offerings to local audiences with a lineup of brand-new shows premiering at Taliesin West this fall.
Sunsets and Sips | Sept. 23, Oct. 20, Nov. 4
For those who wish to take in a vibrant sun setting over the Valley from the Prow, chat with a friend while lounging in the Cabaret or experience having Wright’s Garden Room to themselves – all with a drink in hand – this new happy hour program offers a beverage of choice and access to select spaces at Taliesin West. With spaces varying per event and staff always present to answer any questions, guests will enjoy an intimate experience as they take in the stunning architecture of Wright’s famed winter home.
Educational Field Trips & Camps
The Foundation’s education department designs lessons and activities to promote engaging with architecture, organic design, ecology and art through Wright’s ideas and philosophies, which continue to be more relevant now than ever. For the first time, students will have the opportunity to experience the following year-round versus just during the summertime, and virtually as well as in-person:
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- Camps (Now offered in the spring and winter, in addition to summer)
- Field Trips
- Home School Programs
“We are so excited to fully welcome the community back to Taliesin West, for both new programs and old favorites,” said Niki Ciccotelli Stewart, the Foundation’s vice president and chief learning & engagement officer. “Our tours and programs offer guests a variety of ways to experience and embrace art, architecture, and nature, and take those ideas home. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back, and share what’s new.”
Taliesin West is now open Monday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. for tours, with the distinctive on-site Frank Lloyd Wright Store remaining open through 5:00 p.m. for shopping. Advance reservations are required to tour the campus and the Foundation continues to uphold an array of careful safety practices during the ongoing pandemic, including maintaining a mask policy for all guests in indoor public areas onsite, regardless of vaccination status.
To book a tour at Taliesin West, to donate or to become a member, visit FrankLloydWright.org.
About the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, established by Wright in 1940, is dedicated to preserving Taliesin and Taliesin West, both World Heritage sites, for future generations, and inspiring people to discover and embrace an architecture for better living through meaningful connections to nature, the arts, and each other. The Foundation continues the Frank Lloyd Wright legacy by broadening access to his ideas, works, and designs — considered more relevant today than in his own time — and provides new pathways for audiences to create beauty and connectedness in their own lives. Taliesin West was recently named among the top 10% percent of attractions worldwide by TripAdvisor. Visit FrankLloydWright.org for more information on tour schedules, cultural and educational experiences and events. To learn more about Chihuly in the Desert, visit ChihulyInTheDesert.org. To shop the latest Wright-inspired home, design and lifestyle products, visit FrankLloydWrightStore.com.
