What is Delve? Delve Readers Seminars engage readers in exploring challenging books in lively discussion-based seminars led by an experienced scholar.
WHY DELVE?
Literature needs readers. Literature is not the domain of writers and authors alone. In reading, we engage in dialogues with the authors of the books we love and their various cultures of thought and experience, and also potentially with one another. Delve seminars are special in that they cultivate readers and a community for the shared experience of reading. Through the simple act of gathering together weekly to share in-depth conversations about books, we become ever more astute and empathetic readers, of literature, as well as of human experience.
HOW THE SEMINARS WORK
Each seminar is limited to 16 participants who will complete designated reading in advance and come prepared to discuss the text in an informal, friendly atmosphere. No previous knowledge of the author or text is required. Delve offers a unique peer-to-peer learning experience that fosters community and intellectual inquiry. It is a perfect combination of a book group and a college English class, but we promise not to assign any essays.
Delve seminars usually run six weeks in length, meeting once a week, with some variations of format and scheduling (as noted in specific seminar descriptions). We encourage you to enroll early; many seminars fill up quickly. Seminars are held at the Literary Arts event space (925 SW Washington St, Portland) unless otherwise noted. Tuition rates vary according to seminar length.
Delve seminars are led by guides who are scholars, teachers, writers, poets, and artists in the Portland community. See the Guides page for full bios and details. Learn more about our Guide hire process here.
ACCESS PROGRAM
We want Delve seminars to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income and background. We understand that our tuition structure can present obstacles for some people. Thus, we are happy to offer an Access Program which provides reduced tuition to qualifying participants. Our Access Program offers Delve seminar registrations at a sliding scale amount of $45-$100 per registration.
To apply for the Access Program, please fill out our online form, or write a short letter to the Delve Program Specialist (dao@literary-arts.org) expressing your financial need and your interest in attending Delve seminars. Please specify 1-3 seminars you would like to attend.
VOLUNTEER FOR DELVE
We also offer full tuition remission to our volunteers for Delve. Volunteer positions include Liaison hosting duties, or Scribe “seminar summary” writing duties. Fill out a form to enroll for those options here.
DONATE TO DELVE
Delve also accepts donations. Please know that your gifts make it possible for us to offer reduced-tuition Access spots to those who can benefit from them.
