The National Endowment for the Humanities recently released a series of seven videos (visual essays) on Islamic art. These Art Spots feature Calligraphy, Mosques and Religious Architecture, The Arts of Trade and Travel, Islamic Gardens, Islamic Textiles, Geometry, and The Arts of the Book and Miniature Painting.

The 10-minute film on calligraphy is well worth checking out, and would serve as a great resource for anyone teaching a class on Islam or medieval art.

These films were written and directed by Professor D. Fairchild Ruggles from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

NEH art spots website