Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts (RSA) is a program of the Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University Indianapolis that brings together artists, religious scholars, 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 seminar environment. 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, performance, 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.
In a time when good intentions are often met with suspicion or misinterpreted as insincere, the story of the Good Samaritan may feel too idealistic or too generous to be real. And yet, its enduring power lies in its radical invitation to imagine a world shaped by compassion. Told in response to a simple yet profound question – “Who is my neighbor?” – this parable features an act of remarkable kindness performed not by a familiar ally, but by a stranger from a misunderstood and marginalized group.
This year’s seminar invited participants to explore themes of identity and otherness, inclusion and exclusion, and the challenges of ethical conviction in a complex world. Through dialogue and creative expression, they examined what it means to respond to others with care, courage, and empathy.
See the 2025-26 Virtual Exhibition HERE
The Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts (RSA) is a program of Herron School of Art + Design that brings together artists, religious leaders, religious communities, humanities experts, and a broad range of people from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives for sustained study, analysis, and discussions of religious texts in a seminar environment.
These textual discussions explore the varieties of religious experience and understanding and inspire 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.
Founded by Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, RSA programming fosters a respectful and stimulating environment designed to foster creativity, and participants engage with world-class faculty from across disciplines. Special recognition and thanks go to the Lilly Endowment, the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, and Rabbi Dennis and Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso for their generous support of the program and participating artists.
For more information, please contact Andrew Findley at [email protected].
Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts Brochure (2023) by Herron External Affairs on Scribd
