Proposals: Presentations, Performances, and Dialogue

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The conference committee is seeking paper talks, presentations, performances, and/or facilitated conversations that examine and explore the role(s) that the arts, embodiment, creativity, and/or the imagination play in religious discourse and experience. 

  1. Presentations: While a limited number of traditional paper sessions will be held, we strongly encourage those making proposals to consider this an opportunity to not merely read aloud a paper, but to prepare a more "non-traditional" offering. Consider the model of TED talks as a possible guide, but do not be afraid to consider the use of media, theatre, and movement. Note: Talks are limited to 25 minutes with 15 minutes afterwards for dialogue with those attending. Content and/or summaries will made available at least 2 weeks in advance.

  2. Performances: Performers are encouraged to interpret this call broadly, and to explain in your proposal why you think your work would be a good fit. Short artist talks with visual presentations or short films are viable as well. Note: Performances are limited to 25 minutes with 15 minutes afterwards for dialogue with those attending.

  3. Dialogue (Open or Panel): Those wishing to host a dialogue around a particular topic are asked to submit the topic, reason that the topic is of interest, and how the dialogue will be hosted. Given equal content, panelists proposals that identify at least 3 panelists are given priority. These can be proposed as either “Open” dialogues or “Panel” dialogues. Open sessions will be hosted by an individual who opens the conversation with no more than 5-10 minutes of content before opening it up to conversation for those attending. Panel sessions will feature 2-4 additional panelists who will each share remarks based on the theme proposed. Panel sessions will be hosted and focus on the panel for 25 minutes before shifting to open conversation with all attending for 15 minutes.

For all of the above we are particularly interested in proposals addressing the following themes:

  • Art and/or arts activism in non-Christian religious contexts

  • The intersection of creative and spiritual practices

  • The relationship between privilege, power, and imagination or imaginaries

  • Subversion, art, and aesthetics

  • Prophetic imagination

  • Alternatives to rational ways of knowing

  • Differences between theological aesthetics and theopoetics

  • Beauty, awe, and wonder in social change

Successful proposals will be emails with three separate files attached:

  1. A response to two questions, each answered in no more than 100 words. (a) How would you use the time minutes allotted for the presentation, talk, paper, or panel? That is, will you be reading paper, do a visual presentation, talk with paper provided in advance, perform a one act play, use fish bowl style dialogue, etc.? (b) What about this conference is of interest to you?

  2. One-page abstract (300 words or less) outlining the content your proposal and why you think it belongs at this conference

  3. Current CV(s), resume(s), or link to portfolios including contact information

All materials should be submitted to Proposals@TheopoeticsConference.org by 11:59PM on Monday January 13, 2020. Use the email subject "Conference Proposal: Presentations"