Apply now for the 2027 ISPA Global Fellowship: Fully Funded to attend the ISPA 2027 New York Congress

Ednah Carrick May 10, 2026

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Closing Date: 29 May 2026

Apply now for the 2027 ISPA Global Fellowship: Fully Funded to attend the ISPA 2027 New York Congress

What is the ISPA Fellowship?

ISPA’s Fellowship Program was created to provide emerging and mid-career performing arts professionals with the opportunity to expand their international networks through membership and attendance at ISPA Congresses. The Fellows represent all disciplines, genres, and types of arts organizations

The International Society for the Performing Arts’ (ISPA) Global Fellowship provides one-year access to ISPA’s extensive international network of arts professionals to mid-career leaders from the global performing arts community, with particular attention paid to applicants from the Global South. Participants join the ISPA membership and participate in the New York ISPA Congress, where they engage in the development and exchange of ideas with leaders from some of the world’s most significant presenting organizations, performing arts organizations, creative producers/arts managers, cultural policy groups, foundations, festivals and related professionals.

This opportunity is intended for those working in the management of the professional performing arts.
Performing arts professionals who are deeply committed to increasing the global connectivity of the performing arts industry, as well as those who take initiative in their own professional development, are most likely to benefit. In considering applying, please be aware that the ISPA Congress is not a traditional arts market and opportunities for self-promotion are limited.

The Fellowship consists of four components:

Membership in ISPA

Fellows gain access to all ISPA member benefits including year-round online programming (ISPA convenes and Genius Bar) and exclusive content on the ISPA website and newsletters.

ISPA Congress

Fellows participate in the New York ISPA Congress where they get the opportunity to engage in the development and exchange of ideas with an extensive global community of arts leaders.

Fellows Seminar

Fellows participate in Fellows-specific programming. This programming aims to cement a Fellows network through a series of peer to peer conversations and workshops.

Ongoing Networking

Fellows are paired with a current ISPA member as part of ISPA’s Community Building Program. Current members welcome Fellows to ISPA and help facilitate their participation.

Program dates:

ISPA would like to thank the Mellon Foundation and the many donors who make this program possible.

ISPA Membership (2027) September 2026 – December 2027
ISPA 2027 New York Congress January 12 – 14, 2027
Fellows Seminar Day January 11, 2027

Benefits

Fellows receive:

One-year ISPA membership with access to all member benefits
Full Pass registration to the 2027 New York Congress (January 12 – 14, 2027)
Travel subsidy which may include per diem, flights, and accommodation to support expenses related to attending the congress
Introduction to a current ISPA member who will welcome the Fellow to ISPA and help facilitate their participation as part of ISPA’s Community Building Program

Eligibility

The ISPA Global Fellowship Program seeks to engage leaders working in the management of all professional performing arts. ISPA accepts applicants from all regions of the world, with more than half of Fellowships typically awarded to applicants from the Global South.

Applicants must:

Be currently employed/working in the professional performing arts
Have a minimum of seven (7) years professional experience in the performing arts field
Demonstrate a need for financial assistance
Ability to fully participate in the ISPA 2027 New York Congress (January 12 – 14, 2027)
Have received no more than two ISPA Global Fellowships in the past (applicants are eligible for up to
three one-year Fellowships)

Please note: For the purpose of ISPA’s Global Fellowship, the professional performing arts includes individuals working principally in the management of the arts and culture sector either with organizations/institutions or as independent producers/managers. Generally, those working within academia, education, community organizations, and independent artists are not eligible.

If you have questions about eligibility please contact Mara Driscoll at [email protected].

Language

Participants must have a strong working knowledge of English to successfully participate in the Global Fellowship.

Application Process

Those interested in applying for ISPA’s Global Fellowship must submit an application form online by the deadline.
Global Fellowship Application Form | https://bit.ly/2027globalfellowshipapp
This deadline will not be extended and late submissions will not be reviewed.