SYMPOSIUM II
EXPERIMENTAL THEOLOGICAL AESTHETICS (XTA)
Catalizing a Field of Inquiry (February 26-28, 2026)
Hosted and held at the California Baptist University campus in Riverside, CA.
This international symposium gathered 24 recognized scholars and practitioners from the fields of theology, architecture, philosophy, and experimental research to establish the foundations of Experimental Theological Aesthetics (XTA), a cross-disciplinary field dedicated to understanding how aesthetic experiences enhance our understanding and relationship with God, particularly in the area of architecture.
This meeting — a follow-up to the one we held in Washington, DC in March 2023 (refer to Symposium I in this website)— took place from February 26 to February 28, 2026, at California Baptist University in Riverside, CA.
Unlike other academic conferences where papers are presented in isolation, this symposium promoted discussion through shorter, thought-provoking talks, cross-disciplinary response panels, showcases of current work, and ample time for full group discussions.
While the event was held in person, it was also streamed, video-recorded, and made publicly available for broader academic and public engagement. We invite all those interested in the intersection of faith, architecture, the arts, philosophy, and the sciences to consider joining this team of scholars and reflective practitioners to develop this new field of inquiry: Experime. For more information, refer to the SYMPOSIUM BRIEF.
The full information about the symposium and VIDEO RECORDINGS are available below and also on this other website: https://sacred-space.net/XTA-symposium/
Video Recordings (All lectures & Panels)
XTA Symposium
XTA Symposium
XTA Intro and Keynotes by Gordon Graham and Anjan Chatterjee
Perspective Talk 3: Theological Considerations
Perspective Talk 1: Philosophical Considerations
Recognition
This Symposium is made possible by a significant grant from the Templeton Religion Trust (TRT-2023-32928).
For more information on the TEMPLETON RELIGION TRUST, go here:.
For more information about the ART SEEKING UNDERSTANDING program at TRT, go here.
We want to recognize all the symposium speakers. We were able to cover only basic travel and accommodation expenses (no honorarium) and yet all of them joyfully accepted to come to CBU (some from another continent) to participate in this event. Without them, none of this would have been possible. THANK YOU!
We also need to express our gratitude to staff members of CBU College of Architecture, Visual Arts, and Design for their help in planning, securing, and running this symposium, namely Rene Lopez and Jacob Slagill. Thanks also go to Dean Dirk Dallas for supporting this effort and to the College faculty and students for allowing us to use parts of the building for the duration of the symposium.