The belief that is sure to arise from possible dormancy this spring
By Steven Brodsky
Photo by Steven Brodsky
… is the “secret belief in perpetual spring.”
Though astronomical spring will begin on Friday, March 20, 2026 in the Northern Hemisphere, some of this column’s readers across the globe will experience that belief emerging (not prematurely!) from dormancy before spring’s arrival after they read the poem “In Perpetual Spring,” by Amy Gerstler.
Enjoy: In Perpetual Spring by Amy Gerstler | Poetry Foundation.
Posted 3-6-26
Everyone needs to be connected to a caring and supportive community
By Steven Brodsky
… as did Edgar Allan Poe, the author of this linked poem that’s saturated with extreme aloneness: “Alone” | The Poetry Foundation.
Poe wasn’t connected to such a community, unfortunately.
The link to Poe’s “Alone” appears here on the evening prior to Poe’s birthday.
Poe was born on January 19, 1809.
I like to think that a few people might have reached out to Poe on his birthday to communicate that the poem deeply resonated with their own experiences with aloneness in extremis.
If they had, perhaps they and Poe may have had their aloneness at least temporarily alleviated, and if that happened, Poe’s birthday would have been somewhat better.
Posted 1-18-26
More than $16 million in funding to be received by nonprofit organizations in the U.S. from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in the first round of grantmaking by the NEA in FY 2026
By Steven Brodsky
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) issued this news release today, January 8, 2026:
Washington, DC—The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is pleased to announce it is awarding more than $16 million in funding to nonprofit organizations across the United States as part of its first round grantmaking in FY 2026.
“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support opportunities across the country for Americans to experience and participate in the arts while celebrating our nation’s history,” said NEA’s Mary Anne Carter. “As we approach our country’s 250th anniversary, this is a moment to recognize the important role the arts continue to play in our lives, communities, and heritage.”
Among the FY 2026 grants awarded to date are:
- A grant of $30,000 to Boise Art Museum Incorporated in Boise, Idaho, to support artmaking workshops for older adults, as part of America250. Participants will study historical and contemporary American artworks from the museum’s permanent collection and create original works that will be featured in a virtual exhibition, fostering connection, creativity, and engagement with American artistic heritage.
- A grant of $18,000 to Cedar Summerstock Theatre in Saint Ansgar, Iowa, will support multiple musical theater productions highlighting different stories and characters from different eras throughout American history, alongside panel discussions, lectures, and an interactive lobby display that will reflect on and examine the historical and social context of American storytelling through musical theater.
- A grant of $30,000 to The Myrna Loy in Helena, Montana, to support a multidisciplinary series of musical performances, film screenings, and community events celebrating Montana’s rich cultural heritage and America250. The performances will be accompanied by artist residencies and workshops.
These grant applications were recommended for funding at the October 2025 meeting of the National Council on the Arts (NCA) and are focused on projects honoring the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026. The NEA’s council will consider a broader portfolio of the applications submitted in March 2025 at a meeting today, January 8, 2026. Applications submitted in July 2025 will be considered at a council meeting next Spring.
The FY 2026 grants will appear on a rolling basis in the NEA’s Grant Search as they are awarded. Earlier this month, the NEA released its FY 2027 Grants for Arts Projects guidelines, with deadlines in February and July 2026.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov.
Posted 1-8-26
A crow, a hemlock tree, and a ‘dust of snow’
By Steven Brodsky
… serendipitously affect a day in the life of the speaker of this poem by Robert Frost: Dust of Snow by Robert Frost | Poetry Foundation.
Who knows how elements of the natural world will similarly bring about pleasant surprises and benefit to Entertainment, Culture and More column readers in this winter of 2026?
Knowing would ruin surprises!
Photo by Steven Brodsky
Posted 1-4-26
Thanks to Edith Bunker
By Steven Brodsky
… the character from the All in the Family sitcom played by Jean Stapleton, millions of people first heard poet Edgar Albert Guest’s name. On at least one episode, Edith Bunker recited lines of Edgar Albert Guest’s poetry.
Though she didn’t recite lines from Edgar Albert Guest’s “Thanksgiving” (to the best of my memory), I’m thankful that she referenced Edgar Albert Guest. Her having done so (decades ago), results in my being able to share a link to “Thanksgiving” with you now, in advance of Thanksgiving 2025.
From one of Edith Bunker’s favorite poets: Thanksgiving by Edgar Albert Guest | Poetry Foundation.
Why wait for Thanksgiving to be thankful?
Posted 10-25-25
‘Far from the madding crowd’
By Steven Brodsky
Photo by Steven Brodsky
… seeing a crowd of trees from a trail (or on a device screen) can be salutary.
Most people prefer to be near the madding crowd.
Posted 7-24-25
Steven Brodsky hosted a radio show for 3 and a half years. The show focused on coverage of entertainment, the arts, and all manner of culture. He is widely known for his many live on air interviews with guests such as: Rodney Crowell, Charlie Louvin, Richie Havens, Eric Whitacre (composer, conductor), Solomon Burke, Janis Ian, Percy Sledge, Billy Joe Shaver, Jack LaLanne, Gene Shay, Bruce Morrow “Cousin Brucie,” Jerome “Little Anthony” Gourdine, Pat Cooper, Jett Williams (daughter of Hank Williams), Steve Forbert, Chris Smither, Lukas Nelson, Dr. Temple Grandin, Dan Fante, Harold Camping (Harold Camping was the radio broadcaster and Bible teacher who famously proclaimed that Judgment Day and the Rapture would take place on May 21, 2011. Harold Camping passed away on December 15, 2013.), Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, curators, historians, scientists, and newsmakers. He welcomes email.