Religion and the Arts

Scope & Guideline

Celebrating the Dynamic Relationship Between Belief and Artistry

Introduction

Welcome to the Religion and the Arts information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Religion and the Arts, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1079-9265
PublisherBRILL
Support Open AccessNo
CountryNetherlands
TypeJournal
Converge1996, from 1998 to 2024
AbbreviationRELIG ARTS / Relig. Arts
Frequency5 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressPLANTIJNSTRAAT 2, P O BOX 9000, 2300 PA LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Religion and the Arts' serves as a vital platform for exploring the intricate relationships between religious experiences, artistic expressions, and cultural narratives. It encourages interdisciplinary dialogue and critical engagement across various forms of art and religious thought.
  1. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Religion and Art:
    The journal emphasizes the intersection of religious studies and the arts, promoting research that integrates theology, history, literature, and visual culture.
  2. Exploration of Diverse Religious Traditions:
    It covers a wide array of religious traditions, examining how different faiths express their beliefs and values through various artistic mediums, from visual arts to literature and performance.
  3. Cultural and Historical Contexts:
    The journal places a strong emphasis on the socio-political and historical contexts surrounding artistic expressions of religion, encouraging papers that analyze the evolution of religious art across different eras.
  4. Aesthetic and Theological Reflections:
    It invites contributions that delve into the aesthetic dimensions of religious art and the theological implications of artistic practices, fostering a deeper understanding of both realms.
  5. Contemporary Issues and Trends:
    The journal addresses current themes in religion and art, including secularism, identity politics, and the role of digital media, thus remaining relevant to contemporary discourse.
Recent trends within 'Religion and the Arts' reflect the evolving landscape of both religious thought and artistic expression. The following emerging themes showcase the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues and interdisciplinary dialogues.
  1. Queer Theology and Art:
    There is a growing interest in queer theological perspectives, exploring how LGBTQ+ identities intersect with religious expressions in art, as demonstrated by multiple recent publications.
  2. Digital and New Media:
    The exploration of digital mediums and their impact on religious expression and art is on the rise, reflecting contemporary shifts in how faith is visualized and communicated.
  3. Socially Engaged Art Practices:
    A trend towards examining art as a form of activism, particularly in relation to social justice and community engagement, highlights a significant and relevant theme in current publications.
  4. Interfaith Dialogues in Art:
    Emerging discussions around interfaith artistic collaborations and their implications for cultural understanding are increasingly prominent, suggesting a move towards inclusivity in religious expression.
  5. Environmental and Eco-Theological Art:
    The intersection of ecology and theology in art is gaining traction, with a focus on how artistic practices address environmental concerns through a religious lens.

Declining or Waning

As the journal evolves, certain themes that were once prevalent seem to be receding in frequency or prominence. This section highlights these waning scopes, indicating a shift in focus within the journal's scholarship.
  1. Traditional Iconography Studies:
    While discussions on traditional iconography were once a staple, recent publications suggest a decline in this focus as scholars turn towards contemporary interpretations and applications of religious art.
  2. Historical Art Movements:
    There is a noticeable decrease in articles dedicated solely to historical art movements within religious contexts, indicating a shift towards modern and contemporary analyses.
  3. Regional Studies:
    Papers that focus exclusively on specific regional forms of religious art appear to be less common, as the journal increasingly favors broader, transnational themes.
  4. Theoretical Frameworks from Classical Aesthetics:
    The use of classical aesthetic theories in analyzing religious art seems to be waning, suggesting a preference for more contemporary and diverse theoretical approaches.
  5. Gendered Perspectives on Religious Art:
    Although gender studies in art have been significant, there seems to be a reduction in papers that strictly adhere to gendered perspectives, possibly indicating a broader approach to intersectionality.

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