Dear friends,

A few weeks ago, I asked you to share your thoughts with me on Montalvo's reopening. More than 400 people responded to our survey about their comfort level for returning to in-person events, their thoughts around virtual programming, and how the arts have impacted them. Here are some of the learnings and thoughtful responses we received from the survey:

Over half of all respondents say they feel ready to come back onsite between now and the summer, which was certainly proven by the sold-out run of Love, Loss, and What I Wore that closed this past Saturday!

Montalvo will be closely following the COVID-19 protocols set forth by Santa Clara County for in-person events, which may include the continued use of masks or social distancing. 70% said this would make them feel safe and encouraged to return onsite. 

We asked you, "What did you miss most about the arts this past year?" and the overwhelming response was... "Concerts in the Carriage House," "live music," "in person concerts," "I miss seeing the performers live and in person." Yes, concerts!! 

Many people mentioned missing not only the live performances, the art, and the artists, but the connections they felt with family, friends, and even other audience members in attendance too. One response described it as "the electric feeling of having a musical or artistic experience in a group. The joy of sharing it with my family, including teenagers—they still show up for family outings, albeit under duress." (Which might be more than some of us can say!)

When in-person, the arts also provide a means for unplugging from our work. One person most missed "being able to come and see an event live. It gave me a way to have work and life balance." This line has certainly been difficult for teleworkers to maintain when most forms of entertainment were relegated to a device. When asked what barriers prevented people from engaging with virtual artistic content, nearly 50% said it was because "I spend too much time looking at my screen already." 

As for what I missed most, one response in particular resonated with me — "a l l o f i t !"

Some of you also shared your favorite memories of Montalvo, and so many of them involved amazing musical performances, past art exhibitions, and weddings and special events. I was reminded of how long Montalvo has been a cornerstone for many of our community members when one person remarked, "Montalvo has been a part of my life for nearly 60 years. I love the challenge of making it to the look-out point on the hiking trails."

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me, and for being such an integral part of Montalvo’s community. We have a fantastic summer full of art, culture, and connection planned, and I am so excited for you to be part of our restART.