COVER STORY {by karen werner} AUG/SEPT 2021 | 52 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA COVER STORY { by karen werner } THE BIG RETURN THE PHOENIX SYMPHONY SCOTTSDALE ARTS ARIZONA OPERA Photo by Scott Mitchell Leen © 2021 Chihuly Studio

FRONTDOORS MEDIA | 53 | AUG/SEPT 2021 The Valley’s arts and culture community is banking on the return of in-person events t he path back for arts and culture in the Valley winds through a 140-acre garden in Papago Park, down Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row, through venues downtown, through the Civic Center in Scottsdale, and on around the entire metro area. As the pandemic loosens its grip, theaters, orchestras, opera companies and art galleries are rehearsing, hoping and optimistically holding their breath. For cultural and financial reasons, the arts and culture sector is banking on a robust return of in-person events. Here, leaders from local arts and culture organizations explain what they learned during the closure, how it changed their organizations, and the big things they’re betting will bring audiences back. XICO BALLET ARIZONA DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN