This course explores the relationship between Christian theology, spirituality and art.

The four-day module is ideal for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of the place of art, imagination and creativity in the Christian tradition from historical, cultural, and theological perspectives.

Participants will be encouraged to develop their own aesthetic and spiritual awareness alongside the possibilities for developing their own creative practice. This module will also enable students to critically engage with the place of art in Christian worship and the life of the Church.

Speakers for the 2024 module are:
Dr Michael Hahn on mysticism and art, considering first mystics as artists, and then artists who have been inspired by mysticism.
Dr Beatrice Allegranti on embodied practices and choreography in connected to human relationality to the more-than-human.
Dr Charlotte Naylor-Davis on popular music and theology, focusing on heavily metal music.
Prof. Graeme Smith on theology and poetry, focusing on the work of R. S. Thomas.
Susan Francis on theology and the visual arts, thinking particularly about theological aesthetics for the 21st-century.

This is a postgraduate course open to ‘auditors’ e.g. those attending the course who are not enrolled for academic credit.

What does it mean to audit a course? 

Joining this course is an opportunity to have a study break in the beautiful Salisbury Cathedral Close, where residential participants enjoy full board, access to the library and to the pattern of liturgy at Salisbury Cathedral.

Whether it’s cultural events, sightseeing (Stonehenge is nearby for example) or shopping — there’s plenty to do if you’d like to extend your stay the weekend before and after the course. For ideas, visit Salisbury Cathedral Close attraction websites to see what’s on Sarum’s doorstep. Visit the Wiltshire Creative website to view events at nearby Salisbury Playhouse and the Salisbury Arts Centre. The Experience Salisbury website has an excellent city-wide listing of forthcoming events around the city.

Find out more about postgraduate study in Christian Spirituality.

Enrolled students also may attend teaching weeks for modules in addition to the modules which they are studying for credit, by permission of the Programme Leader.  The audit fee and hospitality prices are reviewed annually with any changes effective from 1 July.

Need financial assistance? View our list of grantmaking trusts