ISPA 2026 Singapore Congress (19-22 May 2026)
When the international performing arts community gathers in Singapore this May, it will do so under a theme that has its roots in the region’s own cultural vernacular. Inspired by the familiar Southeast Asian expression “Same Same, But Different”, the ISPA 2026 Singapore Congress takes that idea a step further with its theme, Creative Convergence: Same Same, And Different, which celebrates the coming together of different art forms and cultures in Singapore, recognising the performing arts as a powerful force for connection and understanding in our rapidly changing world.
The congress returns to Southeast Asia for the first time in over 20 years, with Singapore providing a fitting backdrop. Here, delegates will engage with thought leaders from around the world, exploring how varied cultural practices and perspectives can coexist, not in contrast, but in harmony, and contributing to important dialogues about the arts’ enduring impact on our lives and communities.
The full programme includes panel discussions, networking sessions, performances and immersive city experiences, and is preceded by the Anthony Field Academy (18–19 May), an intensive arts administration programme focusing on reimagining sustainability through arts and culture.
Your congress at a glance
Through curated programmes including panel discussions, networking sessions and multi-disciplinary performances, the congress offers three key opportunities:
Build and strengthen networks with peers from around the world. Connect over coffee during Kopi Klatch, an informal networking session spotlighting ASEAN arts industries, or join the Cocktail Klatch to mingle with fellow delegates while taking in performances at the Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA). Discover new performing arts projects through Pitch New Works, which showcases a curated selection of new projects from across the globe, and expand your professional circle through ProEx, a networking marketplace where performing arts practitioners can connect over a lunch of uniquely Singaporean flavours.
Discover Singapore’s multicultural arts through immersive experiences at Open City, which offers guided tours through three dynamic arts precincts, taking delegates into the spaces where work is made and ideas take shape. Each tour begins with a curated lunch by local culinary figures. Throughout the congress, delegates will also experience bold multicultural performances ranging from traditional Malay percussion to contemporary jazz, reflecting the breadth of Singapore’s arts scene.
Engage in international arts dialogue and knowledge exchange through a series of panel discussions led by a wide range of voices from across the globe. Explore how the arts speak across generations and cultures, how to connect with constantly shifting audiences, and how to keep the arts alive, relevant and future-ready. Delegates can also deepen their expertise through The Anthony Field Academy (AFA)* (18–19 May 2026), an intensive arts administration programme focusing on Re-imagining Sustainability Through Arts and Culture, offering direct access to leading professionals through intimate, participant-led dialogues and roundtables.
*Please note that while AFA is currently at capacity, interested delegates may sign up for the waitlist.
Event Details
Anthony Field Academy: 18 to 19 May 2026
ISPA 2026 Singapore Congress: 19 to 22 May 2026
For the most up-to-date schedule of events and to register, visit ispa.org/page/congress_sg26
