Founded in 1949, ISPA is a non-profit international organisation comprising over 600 executives and directors of concert and performance halls, festivals, performing companies and artist competitions, government cultural officials, artists' managers and other interested parties with a professional involvement in the performing arts from more than 50 countries in every region of the world, and in every arts discipline. The purpose of ISPA is to develop, nurture, energise and educate an international network of arts leaders and professionals who are dedicated to advancing the field of the performing arts. ISPA strives to meet its guiding principles through annual conferences and meetings, through frequent publications and through awards and scholarships. Two major meetings are held each year, designed to explore complex and sometimes controversial subjects, as well as to provide a wide variety of opportunities for business and social exchange. Recent topics include ‘Arts and Technology’, ‘High Art/Popular Culture’, ‘The Economy and the Arts’, ‘Creative Leadership in the New Millennium’, ‘International Partnerships’ and ‘Risk and Reward’. ISPA is governed by a 25-member international Board of Directors.
In Slovenia Cankarjev dom Culture and Congress Centre, Festival Ljubljana and the Muzeum Institute are all members of ISPA.
