At an ISTA festival, creative work is shaped through the connection of ideas, place, and practice, guided by the ISTA Ensemble Method and Festival Framework.

Each festival is connected through a shared Global Challenge. For 2026–2027, Rooted & Reimagined invites young people to explore how we honour the roots that shape us while imagining new futures.

In Bali, students develop their understanding through an authentic experience of Balinese performance traditions across dance, music, and theatre. Working in ensembles, they are introduced by local artists to key forms, techniques, and conventions, and apply this learning as they begin shaping their own work.

The InterArts approach brings these disciplines together, encouraging students to explore how movement, sound, and storytelling interact in performance. They test ideas, experiment, and shape material drawn from what they encounter, reflecting on their learning and how it might influence their own creative practice.

Each ISTA festival includes a shared cultural experience that connects students to the host location and provides real-world inspiration for the work they create together.

In Bali, students will step into the rhythms, sounds, and traditions that shape the island’s culture. They will visit a master mask maker and Wayang Kulit puppeteer, gaining insight into the artistry, meaning, and craftsmanship behind these forms. They will also learn the vocal, movement, and breathing techniques of Kecak, and attend live performances of Kecak, Wayang Kulit, and a surprise special event on the final evening.

These experiences deepen students’ understanding of Balinese culture and the role the arts play within it. They begin to see how these traditions are created, shared, and sustained, and draw on this as inspiration for their own creative work throughout the festival.

The video below offers a glimpse into the experience of an ISTA Bali festival, bringing these moments to life as students engage with local artists and develop their own work.

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The festival brings together Balinese artists and artisans, and ISTA artists, each playing a distinct role in shaping the experience.

Balinese artists share work that sits at the heart of the culture, giving students the opportunity to learn directly from people who practise and carry these traditions forward within their own communities. Through workshops and demonstrations, students gain insight into how these art forms are approached, experienced, and understood in their original context.

The visiting ISTA artists guide students through the creative process, helping them connect what they are learning to their own work. They support ensembles as they develop ideas, experiment, reflect, and shape original responses grounded in their experience of the festival.

Together, this creates a learning environment that is both culturally grounded and creatively open, where students engage with authentic practices while developing their own voice as artists.

Artist teams are shared in the event Information Pack, which is sent to participating schools in the lead-up to the event.

While students take part in the festival, accompanying educators engage in two dedicated specialist workshops led by ISTA and local professional artists. These sessions support their own professional development, offering time to explore theatre practice, reconnect with the creative process, and take away practical ideas for the classroom or rehearsal space. Workshop leaders and session information will be confirmed closer to the event.

Educators also take part in a collaborative session focused on sharing practice, ideas, and resources, creating space for dialogue and exchange within a global community of arts educators. 

Booking secures a place at an ISTA Festival event by estimating the number of participants and paying a deposit. 

Registration finalises participant details, ensuring accurate event planning, catering, and transportation.

Click here for a helpful guide on how ISTA’s booking and registration work.

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Booking

Opens: 9:00 am UK time on Thursday 30 April 2026 for members and Monday 1 June 2026 for non-members.

Closes: 11:59 pm UK time on Tuesday 1 December 2026

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Before booking, ensure your trip is viable by checking:

• Travel restrictions and visa requirements
• Parental approvals
• School authorisation

At the time of booking, organisations must provide:

• Total number of students
• Total number of educators
• Lead educator chaperone contact details

Please review the ISTA Event Terms & Conditions, including cancellation policies, before booking.

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Deposit & Confirmation

Upon booking, you will receive an invoice for a 50% deposit based on the number of students booked. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable and secures your reservation. Bookings are fully confirmed once the deposit is received within 30 days.

Bookings are made through an ISTA website account. Your booking confirmation and registration link will appear in the profile of the person who submitted the booking. If a colleague booked on your behalf, the registration form may sit under their account.

Invoices are sent to the email address provided at the time of booking. Your place is reserved, subject to payment in line with our booking terms.

If you need to make changes to your booking, please email booking@ista.co.uk.

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Registration

Opens: 9:00 am UK time on Thursday 30 April 2026 for members and Monday 1 June 2026 for non-members.

Closes: 11:59 pm UK time on Tuesday December 8 2026.

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Once registration opens, schools that have confirmed their students should register as soon as possible. All registrations must be completed by Tuesday December 8 2026 to finalise event logistics.

At the time of registration, organisations must provide:

• Finalised participant details
• Art Discipline choice for each student (Dance, Theatre, Music)
• Travel information

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Changes in Student Numbers

Student numbers may change between the original booking and final registration. If your numbers change, please inform the Event Manager as soon as possible so we can adjust event planning accordingly.

ISTA plans each event based on the numbers provided at the time of booking. This includes scheduling artists, securing tickets for the cultural experience, and allocating places for other schools. Early updates allow us to manage availability and offer spaces where possible.

Final participant numbers must be confirmed during registration. Changes in numbers may affect deposits and final invoices. Please see the Payment Process section for full details.

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Waitlist

If the event reaches capacity, it will be marked “Waitlist”. If you wish to be added to the waitlist: 

1. Click the Waitlist button on the event page
2. Enter the requested information
3. Spaces will be offered in the order in which waitlist requests are received.

ISTA festivals follow a two-step automated payment process:

‍Step 1: Deposit Payment at Booking

• Upon booking, you will be required to pay a 50% deposit immediately.
• This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable and confirms your reservation.
• Bookings will only be secured once the deposit payment is successfully processed.

All payments and cancellations are subject to ISTA Event Terms & Conditions.

‍Step 2: Remaining Balance Upon Registration Closure

• Once registration closes, organisations will be automatically invoiced for the remaining 50% of registration fees, plus any applicable surcharges, based on the final number of students registered.

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Changes in Student Numbers

• Fewer students than booked: Deposits for students who do not attend will be forfeited. (e.g. If you book 15 students but only 10 attend, the deposit for the 5 who do not attend will not be refunded.)‍
• Additional students: A 50% deposit per added student will be invoiced at the time of the increase.

Festival Schedule

• Start: 4:00 pm Thursday 25 February 2027
• End: 1:30 pm Sunday 28 February 2027

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IMPORTANT:  

• Participants are expected to attend the full festival programme, including the final sharing.
  
  
• Festival schedules are designed as a complete experience and cannot be adapted to individual travel arrangements.
  
  
• Schools should plan travel to ensure participants arrive on time, are ready to take part from the start, and remain until the end of the festival.
  
  
• Late arrivals or early departures affect the ensemble process and the shared creative work, as groups rely on full participation throughout the festival.

Click here to explore a sample ISTA Festival Schedule

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Arrival & Departure 

Arrival: Non-local Participants should plan to arrive in Bali on the evening of Wednesday 24 February 2027

Departure: Participants should not plan to leave the host venue before 1:30pm on Sunday 28 February 2027

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IMPORTANT:  

• The process of arrival, customs, meeting bus, comfort breaks, travel to Ubud, checking into the hotel etc. takes approximately 5 hours from the time you land in Denpasar. It is important that you book your arrival time to accommodate this transfer from the airport to the festival venue.
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• Participants may choose to arrive in Denpasar on the evening before the event starts, and make their own accommodation arrangements for one night in order to meet the bus transport to Ubud the next day.
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• Travel should be arranged to align with the full festival schedule, including time for arrival, check-in, and readiness to begin, as well as departure after the event has fully concluded.
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• Festival schedules cannot be adjusted to accommodate individual travel plans. Late arrivals or early departures impact the ensemble process and the shared creative work, as groups rely on full participation throughout the festival

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Getting there  

• Nearest Airport: Denpasar International Airport (DPS), also known as Ngurah Rai International Airport 

Transfers

• Participants will be met at the airport and transferred to Ubud by private bus. Due to the length of the journey, schools may be asked to wait for other schools to arrive before travelling to the festival site together.
• Participants will be taken directly to the airport immediately after the festival closes at 1:30 pm on the last day of the event.
• Participants choosing to spend an extra night in Bali after the event finishes are responsible for arranging their own accommodation and return airport transfers‍ 

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Accommodation

This is a hotel stay event. 

Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation at the event hotel.

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Hotel name: Element Bali Ubid

Hotel Address: Jl. Raya Andong, 88, Desa Petulu, Ubud, Gianyar 80571, Indonesia

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Local Transport

Daily transport between the hotel, cultural experience locations and evening performances is provided for a £15 surcharge per person.

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Visa Requirements

To ensure a smooth arrival in Bali, participants should be fully prepared for immigration before departure.

Participants are responsible for ensuring they meet all entry requirements. This includes:

• Obtaining the correct visa, where required
• Completing the Indonesian arrival card

These are separate requirements, and both must be completed.

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Please note:

• Visa requirements vary depending on nationality.
• Some visa applications can take time. Start this process early.
• Not all visas can be completed online
• You should check your own requirements early and allow enough time to complete the process

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Where available, visas should be arranged in advance via: www.evisa.imigrasi.go.id 

The Indonesian arrival card must also be completed online: www.allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id 

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To avoid delays, both visa arrangements and arrival documentation should be completed before travel, rather than on arrival at the airport.

If you require supporting documentation, please contact the Event Manager well in advance.

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Additional entry requirements:

• Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry
• A return or onward travel ticket is required

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Important Communication Information

ISTA business days are Monday to Friday, and we aim to respond to all emails within three business days.

ISTA staff do not monitor emails on weekends (Saturday & Sunday) or public holidays. If a staff member is working at an event, response times may be longer than usual.

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3 evening meals, 2 lunches and daily snacks will be provided at this event.  Expect a mix of local and fusion meals.

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Breakfasts should be booked when making hotel bookings. 

Participants should bring clothing suitable for physically active workshops (athletic wear, PE kit, performance blacks, etc.).

We ask all participants to dress modestly during festival activities as a sign of respect for Balinese culture. During the festival, we spend time in local communities, including visiting villages and entering family homes. You may notice that some tourists dress differently. Our experience is different. We are guests in these communities, and the way we present ourselves is one of the simplest ways we show respect and gratitude.

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This means:

• Knees, shoulders, and stomach must be covered
  
• Tops must fully cover the stomach, even when arms are raised
  
• Clothing should be loose rather than tight or form-fitting
  
  

Participants who are not appropriately dressed may be asked to change and may not be able to take part in certain activities.

There are also a number of important practical considerations around clothing, footwear, and what to bring for this unique cultural environment. We have outlined these clearly in the following guide, which we strongly encourage all participants to review before attending:

Click here to view the guidelines

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Please note:

• Footwear will be removed frequently, so choose shoes that are easy to take on and off
• Jewellery may need to be removed for some sessions‍
• Chewing gum is not permitted in workshop spaces

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Materials

• Pens, pencils, highlighters, etc. for notetaking.
• Refillable water bottle.

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Information Pack

A detailed digital programme will be shared two weeks prior to the event, outlining schedules, artist biographies, and key event information.

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