AUG/SEPT 2021 | 54 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA “ I could never have imagined a year ago that today we would feel as positive about our future as we do,” said Samantha Turner, executive director of Ballet Arizona. This time last year, the organization was operating from what Turner calls “the COVID pit of despair,” creating dire budgets and staring at worst-case scenarios. Not anymore. After a deft transition to digital offerings early in the pandemic — Ballet Arizona presented archival performances online, jumped into video conferencing for students to continue their training and connected patrons with dancers via book clubs and live conversations — the company was thrilled that support from community members like Jacquie and Bennett Dorrance as well as the Flinn Foundation and Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, along with federal, state and city recovery funds, helped replace the more than $3.5 million in ticket revenue that vanished with the pandemic. “We made it through, kept the dancers and staff together, and the community not only told us how much we mattered to them, but they showed us with their stalwart support,” Turner said. This season, the company is excited to present “Juan Gabriel,” a world-premiere work from Ballet Arizona artistic director Ib Andersen. Inspired by a concert performance by the legendary Mexican singer, composer and musician, the work will feature costumes by renowned Mexico City designer Carla Fernández. Juan Gabriel, who died in 2016, was a veritable superstar, known for glittery outfits and passionate performances. “Ib is eager to capture that energy in this new ballet, which will feature parts of Juan Gabriel’s groundbreaking concert at the Palacio de Bellas Artes,” Turner said. Looking ahead feels like a luxury after so much looking around. “It was without a doubt my most challenging year as executive director for the ballet,” Turner said, noting with pride that they never stopped delivering classical ballet experiences when the uplifting power of art was most needed. “I learned that we are all stronger together and that when we come together, we can get through anything,” Turner said. BALLET ARIZONA Samantha Turner, executive director of Ballet Arizona

FRONTDOORS MEDIA | 55 | AUG/SEPT 2021 DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN L ike most public gardens in the U.S., Desert Botanical Garden remained open throughout most of the pandemic, offering the community a safe place to visit, exercise and connect with nature. “The healing nature of the Garden became foremost in people’s minds,” said Ken Schutz, Desert Botanical Garden’s executive director. The leadership team used these skyrocketing community needs and the belief that they could serve as a rallying cry to keep the Garden open while maintaining health and safety for everyone. “Our mantra was, ‘Safety first, bottom line second,’ and that strategy paid off,” Schutz said. “We welcomed more than 200,000 guests and not one Garden staff member became seriously ill, nor was any staff member hospitalized due to COVID.” For Schutz, the last year underscored the vital connection between nature and people’s well-being. That’s why he is delighted to share news of a blockbuster event guaranteed to get people outside. “Dale Chihuly will bring his art to the Valley for a third time this year, with an opening date in early December,” Schutz said. “We are co- sponsoring the Chihuly exhibit with Taliesin West, and both venues will be chock-full of amazing glass installations.” Schutz hopes the collaboration might serve as a model for other arts and culture organizations in the Valley as they bring their programs back. “The pandemic taught me patience, and how to live with uncertainty,” he said, noting that although the Garden remained open, the situation required unceasing (and exhausting) adaptation. So it’s not surprising that Schutz is eager to put a tough year in the rearview mirror. “This fall is everyone’s chance to reconnect with their favorite arts and culture organizations and shake off that bad memory,” he said. Ken Schutz, Desert Botanical Garden executive director Photo by Scott Mitchell Leen © 2021 Chihuly Studio