Journal History

Ars Sacra: Journal of Art and Religion was established in 2025 as a collaborative initiative between three academic institutions:

• UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung

• Universitas Katolik Parahyangan (UNPAR) Bandung

• Institut Agama Kristen Negeri (IAKN) Ambon

This interfaith and interdisciplinary partnership was founded on the shared vision of fostering deeper academic engagement with the intersections of art, religion, ritual, and spirituality—particularly within the diverse cultural context of Indonesia.

The journal’s name, Ars Sacra, reflects its commitment to exploring sacred expressions through artistic forms and the role of aesthetics in religious and spiritual life. It seeks to provide a comprehensive, inclusive, and critical platform for scholars, artists, theologians, and cultural practitioners to dialogue across disciplines and traditions.

Since its inception, Ars Sacra has been dedicated to:

• Publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed research on the cultural, symbolic, and theological dimensions of art and religion;

• Promoting interreligious understanding and cultural pluralism through academic scholarship;

• Bridging academic inquiry and creative practice in the study of religious art, ritual, performance, iconography, architecture, and material culture.

The journal is biannual, open access, and aims to be a central reference for those engaged in contemporary debates on religion, art, identity, and cultural heritage in Indonesia and beyond.