We are ISTA
ISTA empowers an international community of young people, educators, and artists through transformative, collaborative arts experiences that spark creativity and ignite global learning.
What we do
Festivals and symposiums for students, workshops and professional learning for educators, and artists in residence for schools, in person and online across the world.
For studentsMulti-day festivals hosted by schools around the world, where students become an ensemble with ISTA artists.
For studentsTAPS and FRAME bring IB Diploma theatre and film to life with professional theatre-makers and filmmakers.
For educatorsHands-on, IB-endorsed workshops for arts teachers, face to face and online, in every region.
For educatorsPD&L events with practical strategies, artist-led sessions and fresh creative energy for your teaching.
For schoolsBring an ISTA artist to your school, from a single online session to a two-week residency.
Coming up next
ISTA membership
Over 490 educators and 250 schools and organisations are ISTA members. Here’s what it brings.
ISTA Encore
Education Resources Awards 2026 finalist
First-class arts learning on demand, for arts educators and their students: watch, learn and teach whenever suits you.
Learn, teach and create
Our community
ISTA is powered by artists: a global network of theatre-makers, filmmakers and practitioners who lead every event.
More than 250 member schools in over 60 countries, united by the power of arts learning.
The ISTA Hub is a global space to connect, collaborate and grow with fellow arts educators.
Student leadership
The Creative Leadership Programme is ISTA’s pathway for young people aged 16 and over. Working with ISTA Artist Mentors at festivals and events, Young Creative Leaders develop leadership through artistic practice, ensemble collaboration and real creative responsibility.
In their words
I loved watching a whole performance come together in a few days. It showed me how much we can grow in such a short time.
StudentMiddle School Connect Festival, Kenya
When I learn with ISTA, I always gain rich content to add to my professional practice. More than that, I leave feeling my soul has been reinvigorated by learning with fellow travellers who share similar passions.
TeacherIB DP Theatre trainingDespite only having been 2.5 days, I have learned A LOT, not only acting, but also the body and the space, along with terminology. I can now apply all I have learned into my theater classes at school and feel much more confident doing so.
StudentCarlucci American International School of LisbonStudents meeting and collaborating with students from other schools and other countries is invaluable. They start to think of themselves as part of a global artistic community.
TeacherThe International School of Bangalore, IndiaProbably one of the best professional development workshops I have attended in 20+ years of education.
TeacherIB workshop, FloridaI implemented what I had learned the day I arrived back at my school. Every day in my teaching has included something from the workshop.
TeacherIB workshop, LondonI'm always so grateful to ISTA for connecting me with educators around the world, deepening my practice, and reaffirming my skills and mindsets as an international school educator.
Middle School Theatre TeacherOnline professional development, IndiaI especially appreciated the practical ideas that I can take straight into my classroom, as well as the chance to collaborate and share ideas with theatre educators from different contexts.
Theatre TeacherStaging Shakespeare workshop, BrazilPoetry is not scary! Lots of practical activities that I can use in the class, and I can see how they can be adapted for different age groups and topics.
English and Theatre TeacherPage to Stage workshop, MozambiqueISTA professional development is an excellent tool for being on top of excellent practice in our teaching and learning.
Head of DramaIB Theatre workshop, PortugalEverything ISTA, in one place
STAGE, the Student, Teacher & Artist Global Events Manager, is where you book events, join or renew your membership, watch Encore courses and manage your ISTA profile. You’ll need a free account to use our services and make bookings.
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