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David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies
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Art History: Art and the Sacred

Dates: 30 April–12 June 2026 (approx.)
Application Deadline: 1 November 2025
Apply Now

The Art and the Sacred study abroad program offers intensive, on-site investigation of European art and architecture. Students will visit museums, cathedrals, abbeys, and palaces, as well as shrines along centuries-old pilgrimage roads. There will be innumerable opportunities to experience food, religion, and culture as we visit some of the most important monuments in central Italy, Sicily, the Isle of Malta, France, southern Poland, and Vienna.

Click here to apply today!

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Contact Us

Elliott Wise
3048 JFSB
(801) 422-7294
elliott_wise@byu.edu

James Swensen
3054 JFSB
(801) 422-2206
james_swensen@byu.edu

PDF

Program Flyer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
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More Information

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Courses

Students will enroll in the following courses while on this program:

ARTHC 492R—Ancient to Early Modern Art (3 credit hours)
ARTHC 492R—Early Modern to Contemporary Art (3 credit hours)

Students may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
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Cost

$7,700–8,200

Includes Latter-day Saint undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non–Latter-day Saint students), housing, transportation within Europe, admissions to museums and cultural sites, and international health insurance coverage.

Does not include airfare to and from program, most meals, or personal expenses.
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Funding Sources

Regular BYU tuition scholarships, Pell Grants, and Federal Insured Student Loans may be applied to study abroad programs.

Students who submit the financial aid section of the ISP application and who have a current FAFSA form on file at the Financial Aid Office (A-41 ASB) will be considered for a Study Abroad scholarship.

Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships and grants.

Scholarships are available to Art History and Humanities majors/minors.

Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
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Preparation

Students are encouraged, but not required, to take the following prerequisite courses prior to departure:

ARTHC 201—World Civilization to 1500
ARTHC 202—World Civilization Since 1500  

Accepted students are required to participate in an international cross-cultural preparation course (IAS 201R, 1 credit hour) during the second block of winter semester 2026.

Part-time and non-BYU students will need to pay an additional fee for enrolling in the prep class.

Students should plan to be with the group in Europe from 30 April to 12 June and refrain from scheduling late arrivals or early departures.

Students must meet all country- and program-specific COVID and health requirements for travel.

International study programs are physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing and you must be in good health to participate. These programs often take place in international locations that do not have the same level of safety and services in terms of transportation, living conditions, residential accommodations, food, public behavior, and policing that you may be used to on campus. If you have further questions or concerns on this, please see our travel policy.
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Housing

Students will be housed in hotels, apartments, and monasteries.
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Travel

Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare to and from the program sites. Airline reservations must be made through BYU Travel. Students should contact a BYU Travel agent.

BYU Travel
280 HRCB
(801) 422-6293
travel@byu.edu
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Application Process

Students must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Complete the online application here. A nonrefundable $35 application fee is required; applicants will be interviewed once the application is complete.

Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance into the program. The first payment is due upon acceptance; please refer to the Payment Information page.

Application Deadline: 1 November 2025
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Program Adjustments

International Study Programs (ISP) reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost.

If it becomes necessary for ISP to cancel a program, all program payments made to BYU ISP will be refunded to the student’s BYU Financial account.

ISP is the only office authorized to cancel any of its programs.
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Faculty

Elliott D. Wise is an associate professor of art history and curatorial studies. His research centers on the devotional function of late medieval and early modern art. In particular, he is interested in art and liturgy, representations of Christ and the Virgin Mary, mysticism, and the visual culture of the mendicant and monastic orders.

3048 JFSB
(801) 422-7294
elliott_wise@byu.edu

James R. Swensen is a professor of art history and the history of photography. His research interests include modern art, documentary photography, the imagery of the American West, pilgrimage, and the Grand Tour in Italy. He has directed and/or co-directed nine study abroad programs to Europe, including the London Centre in 2022.

3054 JFSB
(801) 422-2206
james_swensen@byu.edu
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Contact Us

International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
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ISP Student Handbook

To see the student handbook, click here.
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Payment Schedule

To see the payment schedule, click here.