Religion, Spirituality and the Arts Seminar Seeks Artist Participants

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Religion, Spirituality and the Arts Seminar Seeks Artist Participants
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The Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts Program (RSA) is a program of the IUPUI Arts and Humanities Institute that brings together artists, religious leaders, religious and non-religious communities, humanities experts, and a broad range of publics from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives for sustained study, analysis, and discussion of religious texts in a classroom environment. Directed by Rabbi Sandy Sasso, these textual discussions, which explore the varieties of religious experience and understanding, provide the inspiration for creating new artistic works (e.g. music, poetry, fiction, drama, visual art, dance). Artists share their creations through exhibitions and presentations to members of the central Indiana community, including religious organizations, congregations, schools, libraries, and community groups.

ELIGIBILITY:  Active, adult, professional or amateur artists in any discipline.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  May 31, 2018

SEMINAR DATES:  7 Thursday evening meetings between September 2018 and February 2019, plus an exhibition in late winter or spring 2019.  Participants must commit to attending ALL meetings.

COST:  No cost to participate.  Space is limited.  Participants will receive a $150 stipend.

2018-19 Theme
Genesis 19 tells the story of Lot’s wife, who turns to see the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and becomes a pillar of salt. Did she act in disobedience or out of compassion? What is our responsibility to bear witness? Is looking back redemptive or paralyzing? Might we see contemporary events (mass tragedies, refugees) in the light of this text?  These are just a few of the questions we will explore as we examine Genesis 19 through religion, art, poetry, and music.

Faculty
The faculty list for the 2018-19 seminar is still growing. So far, the faculty includes:

  • Julie Muney Moore, Director of Public Art for the Arts Council of Indianapolis
  • Sandy Sasso, Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, Indianapolis
  • Steven Stolen, Host of WFYI's Stolen Moments and CEO of The Humane Society of Indianapolis
  • Shari Wagner, Author and 2016-17 Indiana Poet Laureate

Meetings
Seven sessions will be held for 2.5 hours each, and will meet Thursday evenings from 6:00–8:30 p.m. on the campuses of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) and the Christian Theological Seminary (CTS). Participants must be available for all seven sessions.  The seminar dates are as follows:

  • September 27, 2018
  • October 11, 2018
  • October 18, 2018
  • November 1, 2018
  • December 6, 2018
  • January 17, 2019
  • February 17, 2019

Eligibility
Applicants may be anyone in the community who is active (as a professional or amateur) in the artistic disciplines. Selected applicants must be able to make a commitment to attend all six seminar sessions and engage in open and respectful dialogue. Seminar participants will produce creative work to be performed and/or exhibited in a public forum. Seminar participants will receive a $150 stipend at the conclusion of the group exhibition.

How to Apply
To apply to be an artist-participant, please submit your application using the online form.

In addition to basic demographic information, the form asks you to answer the following questions:

  • How do you see your art form interacting with a religious text?
  • How do you imagine this experience will impact your creative work?

You will also need to upload an artist resume and three examples of your work.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Jason Kelly at iahi@iupui.edu