Educational Institutions
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship- The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW), located at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an interdisciplinary study and ministry center that promotes the scholarly study of the theology, history, and practice of Christian worship and the renewal of worship in worshiping communities across North America and beyond.
Center for the Arts, Religion, and Education (CARE)- The Center for the Arts, Religion, and Education promotes scholarship, reflection, and practice in the arts and religion to serve the Graduate Theological Union and to benefit the community. CARE aspires to be the arts center of the Graduate Theological Union, providing and coordinating opportunities in the visual arts, dance, theater, music, and literature for students, faculty, staff, and the community.
Centre for Arts and the Sacred at King’s (ASK)- ASK at King's College in London is a centre for research, teaching and public education in relation to the role of religion in the arts, and the role of the arts in religion. Our focus on the arts is broad, and not limited to the visual arts alone. We look at questions of architecture and urban space as well as literature, music, film, dance and theatre. Our focus on the sacred is intended to ensure as rich an interdisciplinary set of engagements as possible, not prematurely foreclosing discussions when they do not obviously relate to one or more of the established religious traditions.
Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts- CCCA at Biola University, La Mirada, CA. CCCA affords the Biola community and greater Los Angeles with a wide variety of opportunities to experience and think about the arts and about that which artistic expression can teach us. It encourages younger artists with visions for the possible. It creates a gathering space for accomplished artists to learn from each other and to grow. The Center prompts us to recognize the beauty and brokenness of our world, and to foster within us affection for it while recognizing that it stands in need of the healing that is the promise of God.
Center for the Study of Christianity and Culture- Based at York University, The Centre's initial aim was to support teaching and research through books and international conferences, and to provide cultural tools to enable students to engage with literature, history, art and music significantly influenced by Christian thought and spirituality. The demand for the Centre's work has since expanded considerably. The books and interactive resources created by Christianity and Culture are now used worldwide in universities and schools and by a general audience. Christianity and Culture also works with important historic churches to bring recent research to life through interpretation schemes which will help people of all ages and backgrounds understand and enjoy these remarkable buildings and the stories which they hold.
Centre for the Study of Literature, Theology and the Arts (LTA)- University of Glasgow. Literature, Theology and the Arts at Glasgow (LTA) is an innovative, multi-disciplinary space for the study of the intersection of religion and culture. The work of the LTA includes postgraduate students' research, collaborative publications, and conferences. Although LTA’s base is Theology and Religious Studies, within the School of Critical Studies, it has close links with other subject areas within the University of Glasgow, particularly English Literature and Art History. While LTA’s context is primarily Christian (and post-Christian), we also work in the areas of Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, contemporary Paganism, and Chinese Religions. No religious affiliation is required to be a part of LTA. Our context is both local – we work with Glasgow writers, galleries and artists – and international – we have links with scholars in Scandinavia, China, the USA and elsewhere.
Fujimura Institute- Fujimura Institute, the academic arm of the International Arts Movement, aims to encourage creatives from all backgrounds towards collaborative projects that spark new ideas and inspire their audiences. The Institute’s events and networks help connect creatives from different fields so they may design generative collaborations. These events include collaborative exhibits and a continuing lecture series with premier artists and thinkers to promote catalytic conversations and spark new ideas and cross-discipline projects. The Institute will also build a guild system to train and mentor apprentices in Makoto Fujimura’s studio process and the ancient art of Nihonga, as well as learn and promote the practice of imagining projects beyond a single specialty.
Henry Luce III Center for the Arts and Religion- The Henry Luce III Center for Arts and Religion nurtures and guides students, churches, and artists exploring the intersection of the arts and theology. Its inviting Dadian Gallery serves as a meeting place for both contemplative reflection and communal celebration, playing host to compelling one-of-a-kind shows and spiritually themed exhibitions. A long-standing Artist-in-Residence program offers seminary students hands-on-training in a variety of artistic traditions, while also providing artists with shared studio space and a spiritual home well suited to vital art making. By producing dramatic works, concerts, artist talks, poetry readings, dance workshops, symposia, and other special events, the Center for the Arts and Religion seeks to promote dialogue between artists and theologians and to foster inspired creativity in all forms of ministry.
Hovland Center For Liturgical Arts- Augustana University. Hovland Center serves as a resource for liturgical arts to clergy, architects, visual artists, and congregations throughout the region.
The Index of Christian Art- The Index of Christian Art houses, contextualizes, and presents images and information relating to the iconographic traditions of the medieval world. Founded in 1917 and maintained by a specialized staff of art historians, it serves iconographic researchers through both its physical archive on the Princeton University campus and an expanding online database. Its ongoing program of conferences and publications provides a center for continuing scholarly and public discourse about the visual culture of the Middle Ages.
The Institute for the Theology of Culture: New Wine, New Wineskins- Based in Portland, OR. For 16 years, New Wine has dedicated itself to theological cultural engagement, and to living out the truth of the gospel by tearing down the dividing walls that have separated the church from the broader culture for far too long.
L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture- The L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture embodies the life and ministry of Dr. L. Russ Bush whose name it bears. Dr. Bush served as professor of philosophy and academic dean at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1989 to 2006 after which time he served as the director of the Center until his untimely death. The Center, which was established in 2006, is a ministry of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is housed in Southeastern’s newest building, Patterson Hall.
Leith School of Art- The School has independent status, which allows us freedom to teach in a way that we believe is beneficial for our students. The courses are not modular; instead they are structured around set projects and personal work. In addition we are able to have a high staff/student ratio, enabling us to really engage with our students and offer an art education that emphasises the whole person in curriculum and pastoral care.The school offers a year-long course in Art & Spirituality.
Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture (OCCC)- The work of the Centre focuses the mission of Regent’s Park College as a whole in fostering ‘the formation of a Christian mind’, through a critical engagement between gospel and culture. This institute provides research opportunities for scholars, and brings together practitioners and artists to reflect upon the place of faith and spirituality in their various fields. It promotes research into the nature of contemporary culture, from 'popular' culture such as film and the novel, to the culture which shapes such professional areas as law and science.
Prosopon School of Iconography- The Prosopon School of Iconology introduces students to the practice and theory of the ancient Christian art of Byzantine icon writing. Apprenticeship in this discipline of the hand, mind, and heart can lead beyond technical competence; the method of study promotes the incarnation of the principles of the painting experience into the other spheres of one's life. Because an icon is said to be the "Gospel in color," the School welcomes inquiring students from all backgrounds and of all levels of artistic competence. The School additionally encourages the search for a more profound experience of the Christian icon by means of exhibits, lectures, and publications.
Sarum College- An ecumenical centre for Christian study and research where our passion is learning that nourishes the human spirit. Welcoming people of all faiths and none, we offer space and time for enquiring minds to grow in wisdom and courage. Our educational programme offers a variety of courses within our specialist areas of Christian Spirituality, Leadership, Ministry, Liturgy and Worship, Theology, Imagination and Culture and The Arts.
Institutions offering degrees:
There are many Christian institutions offering undergraduate degrees in Art. The Faith on View Christian College Rankings provides a comprehensive list of intentionally Christian Colleges most of which offer art degrees. This is an excellent source for exploring undergraduate options in art.
Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts at Fuller Theological Seminary- The Brehm Center is a spiritually nurturing community that guides and resources Christian leaders to critically engage culture, explore their calling, and creatively integrate worship, theology, and the arts. Brehm offers through Fuller a Certificate program that offers grounding in art & theology. There are also Art & Worship related Brehm Emphases for Fuller Degrees (MAT, MATM, MDiv, ThM, & PhD)
Initiatives in Theology and the Arts, Duke Divinity School (DITA)- Durham, NC. The vision of DITA is to promote a vibrant interplay between Christian theology and the arts within the Divinity School by contributing toward transformative leadership within the Church, academy, and society, and enriching theological education in the Church, academy, and society. DITA offers a concentration within Duke Divinity's ThD students.
Institute for Christian Studies (ICS)- Toronto, ON, Canada. The Institute for Christian Studies is an interdisciplinary graduate school where: the gospel's message of renewal shapes our pursuit of wisdom; scholars focus on the intersection of Reformational philosophy and contemporary scholarship and society. The Institute offers MA's and PhD's in Aesthetics and a summer art program in Orvieto, Italy.
Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts (ITIA)- The Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts (ITIA) is one of the leading centres in the world for bringing together the study and practice of theology and the arts. In the stunning medieval town of St Andrews, perched on the cliffs of the North Sea, scholars and artists from across the world come together to engage in study, conversation and research about the role of the arts within theology, and the place of theology within the arts. The Institute is part of St Mary’s College, the School of Divinity at the University of St Andrews. ITIA offers M.Litt and PhD degrees.
Graduate Theological Union (GTU)- Berkeley, CA. GTU has the oldest Art & Religion program in the United States. There is an Art & Religion concentration within the GTU common MA. PhD's are offered in Historical and Cultural Studies of Religion with concentrations in Art & Religion or Religion & Literature; Theology and Ethics with a concentration in Aesthetics; or Religion and Practice with a concentration in Liturgical Studies. Unique among theological unions PhD students at GTU may enter with masters degrees in theology, art history, or philosophy and focus their studies in any of those three directions.
Regent College- Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Regent College was founded in 1968 as the first graduate school of theology in North America to make education of the laity its central focus. Our Christ-centred graduate programs and courses bring together vibrant evangelical faith and rigorous academics. Regent offers a MA in Theological Studies with a concentration in Christianity and the Arts.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS)- Lexington, KY. SBTS offers a PhD with a concentration in Christianity & The Arts.
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities- United is a theological graduate school that welcomes and embraces life’s big questions. With access to unique resources, students hone their intellectual capacity, illuminate their spirituality and learn the lessons of compassionate leadership. Located minutes from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, United comprises people from all faith traditions, life stages and perspectives. Begin your path to discover, prepare for and live your calling. The Seminary broadly engages with the ats including a concentration in Christianity and the Arts (MA, MARL, MDiv, DMin).
Wesley Theological Seminary- The Seminary provides a certificate in Theology and the Arts whichcan be added to the MA degree and is home to the Henry Luce III Center for the Arts and Religion.