NEA Big Read 2026-2027: The Essential Emily Dickinson
Arizona Humanities is proud to announce that we are a recipient of the NEA Big Read grant for the 2026-2027 cycle. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with Arts Midwest, is supporting programming centered around The Essential Emily Dickinson, our chosen book from the NEA Big Read Library.
This cycle's programming honors the America 250th milestone, celebrating the country’s culture, history, and resilience through the eyes of its citizens as we interpret works from the nation's most beloved authors. In our case, one of America's most beloved poets.
This cycle's programming honors the America 250th milestone, celebrating the country’s culture, history, and resilience through the eyes of its citizens as we interpret works from the nation's most beloved authors. In our case, one of America's most beloved poets.
Questions? Contact Katherine Sorensen, our Marketing Manager, at ksorensen@azhumanities.org
🌼The Essential Emily Dickinson🌼
"Split the Lark - and you'll find the Music -"
- Emily Dickinson, 861
Follow along as we dive into one of America's most beloved poets. The Essential Emily Dickinson invites readers into the poet's deeply reflective world through poems that explore love, nature, grief, identity, patriotism, and the search for meaning. Dickinson’s work speaks across generations and encourages readers to engage with questions that remain profoundly relevant today in modern American society.
Her powerful verse sparks conversation, personal reflection, and creative expression as we explore what it means to be a person who feels and a citizen who notices. Dickinson’s poetry fosters the connection, dialogue, and discovery that live at the heart of the NEA Big Read experience. We hope you'll read along with us!
Pro tip: you can get a copy for free if you join us at an event. 😉
- Emily Dickinson, 861
Follow along as we dive into one of America's most beloved poets. The Essential Emily Dickinson invites readers into the poet's deeply reflective world through poems that explore love, nature, grief, identity, patriotism, and the search for meaning. Dickinson’s work speaks across generations and encourages readers to engage with questions that remain profoundly relevant today in modern American society.
Her powerful verse sparks conversation, personal reflection, and creative expression as we explore what it means to be a person who feels and a citizen who notices. Dickinson’s poetry fosters the connection, dialogue, and discovery that live at the heart of the NEA Big Read experience. We hope you'll read along with us!
Pro tip: you can get a copy for free if you join us at an event. 😉
Programming Schedule🗓️
*Free copies of the Essential Emily Dickinson will be available at each event on a first-come, first-served basis.*
📖 NEA Big Read Kickoff Celebration: 9/26/26 | 10 AM - 1 PM | Burton Barr Central Library
📖Emily Dickinson Teen Workshop: 9/30/26 | 4 PM - 5:30 PM | Burton Barr Central Library
📖 NEA Big Read Kickoff Celebration: 9/26/26 | 10 AM - 1 PM | Burton Barr Central Library
📖Emily Dickinson Teen Workshop: 9/30/26 | 4 PM - 5:30 PM | Burton Barr Central Library
📖 Emily Dickinson Poetry Party: 10/4/26 | 10 AM - 1 PM | Glendale Foothills Library
📖 What Our Grief Grows: a workshop of words & wax: 10/22/26 | 6 PM - 8:30 PM | Palabras Bookstore
📖Victory comes late: Emily Dickinson's Quiet Patriotism: 11/1/26 | 2 PM - 4 PM | Glendale Foothills Library
📖 What Our Grief Grows: a workshop of words & wax: 10/22/26 | 6 PM - 8:30 PM | Palabras Bookstore
📖Victory comes late: Emily Dickinson's Quiet Patriotism: 11/1/26 | 2 PM - 4 PM | Glendale Foothills Library
📖 This is my Letter to the World: An Evening of Emily Dickinson-Inspired Stories: 11/20/26 | 6 PM - 8 PM |Changing Hands Bookstore - Phoenix
📖Victory comes late: Emily Dickinson's Quiet Patriotism: 12/6/26 | 2 PM - 3 PM |Burton Barr Central Library
📖Pain has an element of blank: Emily Dickinson and Illness: 1/31/27 | 2 PM - 3 PM | Burton Barr Central Library
📖Victory comes late: Emily Dickinson's Quiet Patriotism: 12/6/26 | 2 PM - 3 PM |Burton Barr Central Library
📖Pain has an element of blank: Emily Dickinson and Illness: 1/31/27 | 2 PM - 3 PM | Burton Barr Central Library
📖Tell it slant: An Emily Dickinson Discussion & Writing Workshop: 2/7/27 | 2 PM - 4 PM | Glendale Foothills Library
📖Pain has an element of blank: Emily Dickinson and Illness: 3/7/27 | 2 PM - 4 PM | Glendale Foothills Library
📖Tell it slant: An Emily Dickinson Discussion & Writing Workshop: 3/21/27 | 2 PM - 3 PM | Burton Barr Central Library
📖First Friday @ PHXArt: Dickinson in the Garden: 4/2/27 |5 PM - 8 PM | Phoenix Art Museum
📖The Brain within its groove runs evenly: Emily Dickinson and Neurodivergence: 4/4/27 |2 PM - 3 PM | Burton Barr Central Library
📖The Brain within its groove runs evenly: Emily Dickinson and Neurodivergence: 4/18/27 | 2 PM - 4 PM | Glendale Foothills Library
📖Pain has an element of blank: Emily Dickinson and Illness: 3/7/27 | 2 PM - 4 PM | Glendale Foothills Library
📖Tell it slant: An Emily Dickinson Discussion & Writing Workshop: 3/21/27 | 2 PM - 3 PM | Burton Barr Central Library
📖First Friday @ PHXArt: Dickinson in the Garden: 4/2/27 |5 PM - 8 PM | Phoenix Art Museum
📖The Brain within its groove runs evenly: Emily Dickinson and Neurodivergence: 4/4/27 |2 PM - 3 PM | Burton Barr Central Library
📖The Brain within its groove runs evenly: Emily Dickinson and Neurodivergence: 4/18/27 | 2 PM - 4 PM | Glendale Foothills Library
Wear Your Support 🩶
Shop Emily Dickinson Merch!About The NEA Big Read
The NEA Big Read is a grant-funded program brought to Arizona in partnership with Arizona Humanities, Arts Midwest, and The National Endowment for the Arts. Our programming would not be made possible without all of our partners, collaborators, and sponsors. Thank you.
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