The Henry Luce Foundation recently awarded United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities a three-year grant of $350,000 for the support of national initiatives in religion and the arts that include the Society for the Arts in Religious and Theological Studies. The grant provides funds for the development of the new Society, Society fellowships for scholars; national consultations of theologians; and a national internet initiative where we will make available programs and lecturers who are national figures for access throughout the nation. United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is a partner in the consultations and online programs of the grant. Members of the Society will hear more about the grant and its initiatives at our national meeting in November.

The Society for the Arts in Religious and Theological Studies will hold its annual meeting with both the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) – at their separate meetings. (We are a related scholarly organization of the AAR and an affiliate of the SBL and both umbrella organizations are being helpful in this period when the AAR and SBL are not meeting together.) Attendance at the events is free to Society members. Please join the Society or renew your membership today. Members also receive a subscription to ARTS: The Arts in Religious and Theological Studies.

The American Academy of Religion

Friday, November 6, 2009

Session M6-209 (p. 24 in the program book), 3:00-5:00 pm
SARTS together with the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality

Pedagogical Engagements: The Arts and Spiritual Transformation
Presiding: Michael O'Sullivan
Speaking: Mark Burrows, Lisa Dahill, Robin Jensen, and Janet Walton

Session M6-403 (p. 25 in the program book), 7:00-8:30 pm
SARTS together with the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality

"Filmmaking as Spiritual Practice" Reception and Presentation by Macky Alston

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Board Meeting, 7:00-8:30 am

Session M7-119 (pg. 35 in the program book), 9:00 am-12:30 pm

Theological Aesthetics Group, 9:00-11:15 am
Presiding: Alejandro Garcia-Rivera
Speaking: Frank Burch Brown, Oleg Byrchov Cecilia Gonzalez-Andrieu, and Thomas Cattoi

Presentations by the 2008 Luce Fellows, 11:20 am-12:15 pm
Holly Mitchem, "Under the Eye of God: The Serran Missions of the Sierra Gorda, Mexico"
Jane Huber, "Keeping Time: Sung Gospels and Moving Images"

Business meeting of the Society, 12:20 pm

 

The Society of Biblical Literaure

Friday, November 20, 2009

Reception and presentation by Paul Huh, 2008 Luce Fellow: "Theology of the Art in Chinese Calligraphy", 6:30-9:00 pm

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Bruce Raeburn, Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University, "Brass Band Funerals and 'Second Line' Parades as a Means of Exploring the Spiritual Dimensions of New Orleans Jazz", 9:00-11:30 am