Join us as leadership takes center stage. The international performing arts community faces new realities including global conflicts, changing workplace culture, divisions around social issues, AI, and the climate emergency. At ISPA’s 2025 New York Congress, we’ll explore innovative approaches and leadership models that leverage creativity to inspire and lead with impact. Whether you’re an artist, presenter, manager, administrator, or cultural advocate, join us as we navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of arts leadership in today’s rapidly shifting, often polarized world.

The 2024 ISPA mid-year congress will focus on real-time examples of new international models of artistic and industry breakthroughs – whether that be through our evolution, or a revolution. Navigating the deeply challenging contexts of recent years, the congress will platform brave examples of transformation, to reinvigorate our passionate pursuit of purpose. (And a purposeful pursuit of passion). Join us in Perth, Australia for unique perspectives and insights from the region and the world.

The performing arts have long provided an effective platform for exploring greater societal issues. However, the arts sector itself grapples with the same challenges, including inequities, regional conflict, generational shifts, climate change, and scarcity of funding and training resources. These are just a few of the issues currently at hand. As we recover from years of significant upheaval, how can our sector overcome the gaps that currently exist? By reconciling these gaps in the performing arts, how can we affect positive change on greater society?

What does co-creation really mean for Performing Arts leaders? How can co-creation help our sector move forward with intention, relevance and resilience? At the ISPA 2023 mid-year congress, we will come together in Manchester to take stock of where we are, to collectively reflect on these questions and to envisage what the journey forward could look like. Delegates will be challenged and inspired by a range of speakers and panelists, and we will provide space for conversation and exchange. Manchester has creativity and culture at its heart, and we look forward to welcoming delegates to explore the rich offering in the city and across the North West region.