Frank Lloyd Wright fans and architecture lovers of all ages will once again experience one of Wright’s most personal creations, Taliesin West, when his desert laboratory and famed winter home reopens to the public on Oct. 15 in Scottsdale.
With the reopening comes the debut of a new Self-Guided Audio Tour that allows visitors a safe and interactive experience at Arizona’s only cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site, which can be easily and safely accessed through their personal smartphone device. The highlight of this in-depth audio tour will be hearing Wright’s own spoken words firsthand through original audio recordings. Wright discusses the connection of his work to nature, poetry and art, along with other sources of inspiration at Taliesin West and across the United States.
Visitors can also book the popular, guided Insights Tour that has been restructured as a more intimate experience with fewer people per group, properly worn masks required for guides and visitors, mindful social distancing practiced and more time spent outdoors with guides providing architectural space interpretations, explanations and answering questions outside to take advantage of the fresh, Sonoran Desert air.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome visitors safely back to Taliesin West, especially during this time when Frank Lloyd Wright’s inspiring work is needed most,” said Kevin Conley, vice president of public engagement for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. “For the past several months, we’ve all been feeling disconnected from the people and world around us. Wright’s work teaches us how to stay more deeply connected, to nature, to beauty and the arts, and to the people around us. In this difficult year, we know the experience of Taliesin West and these meaningful connections will inspire our visitors to live happier and healthier lives.”
Conley adds that the team at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has taken great care to create a safe experience at Taliesin West to ensure an authentic visit with low contact and adherence to CDC guidelines. “We took our time to reopen, because we wanted to do it right, without compromising the experience of Wright’s desert laboratory or the health and safety of our staff and visitors. If you’ve visited before, it may feel a little different now, but our staff is ready to welcome visitors for an authentic and meaningful experience of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work and ideas at Taliesin West.”
Since closing the site in March due to the pandemic, the Foundation has been hard at work implementing new measures and experiences to make sure all are safe while on property. These changes have been made with close monitoring of numerous trusted sources including the CDC, WHO, OSHA and local health ordinances and guidance. All staff and visitors are required to properly wear a face covering over their nose and mouth while on property, whether indoors or outdoors. No visitor will be allowed to enter, tour, or remain at Taliesin West without a properly worn face mask covering at all times. Additional safety and cleanliness measures and visitor guidelines can be found on the Foundation’s website. Recent ADA upgrades and restoration of the historic property include new handrails, ramps and a wheelchair accessible restroom to help guests with mobility challenges access and enjoy Taliesin West with ease.
Tickets for tours starting October 15 are now available to book online. Taliesin West will be open for tours Thursday through Sunday with hours on Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Insights Tour is $40 for adults, $30 for students (ages 13-25 with valid student ID) and $19 for youth (ages 6-12). Access to the self-guided audio tour and Taliesin West is $20 per guest with advanced online ticket reservations required, as capacity is limited for safe social distancing.
Taliesin West joins a handful of other Wright sites across the country that have recently reopened, including Taliesin in Wisconsin, Fallingwater in Pennsylvania and The Guggenheim in New York City, which reopens Oct. 3.
Annual Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation memberships are available starting as low as $90, and include admission for one adult Insights Tour ticket, among many other benefits. Members play an integral part in supporting the Foundation’s mission to inspire people to discover and embrace an architecture for better living through meaningful connections to nature, the arts, and each other. Special access, discounts and engagement opportunities are offered to members. To donate or to become a member, visit FrankLloydWright.org.
