SCENE Magazine

SCENE Magazine is our biannual publication exploring global arts education, designed for educators, artists, and industry professionals. Established in 2001, it offers insightful perspectives, practical resources, and thought-provoking articles on the transformative power of the arts in learning. making it an essential resource for classrooms, school libraries, and student research.

Explore SCENE Magazine

Each issue of SCENE brings together voices from around the world to explore the richness, diversity, and innovation of theatre, film, and the performing arts. Articles typically fall into a few key strands:

Academic and theoretical

Deep dives into performance theory, cultural analysis, and artistic methodologies. From Indigenous storytelling and embodied movement practices to the intersections of theatre and technology, these pieces connect research with real-world creative application.

Read a sample

Professional Practice & Case Studies

Insights from working practitioners on their craft, process, and the evolving landscape of the arts. Topics range from international collaborations in Peking opera to reimagining verbatim theatre in Vietnam, producing documentary films, or designing for stage and screen.

Read a sample

Profiles & Pathways

Inspiring journeys of artists, educators, and cultural leaders from across the globe. These stories spotlight creative careers, personal turning points, and the passion that drives people to make, teach, and champion the arts.

Read a sample

Representation & Belonging

Explorations of how the arts can open doors, welcome new voices, and create spaces where everyone feels part of the story. From deaf-led theatre companies to innovative audience engagement, these articles highlight initiatives that broaden who gets to tell stories—and who gets to hear them.

Read a sample

Spotlight Features

Personal reflections and creative narratives that offer a window into an artist’s life, vision, or community. These are often intimate, first-person accounts that reveal the human side of making art.

Read a sample

Editing SCENE is a real pleasure because it connects our community with global voices and ideas that inspire fresh ways of thinking about the arts. Each issue offers perspectives and stories that enrich the work of educators, artists, and young people alike — sparking curiosity, deepening practice, and reminding us of the power of creativity to connect us all.

Helen Abbott, Editor of SCENE

Contribute an article

Have a perspective to share on arts education or practice? Contribute to SCENE Magazine and add your voice to our global community of educators, artists, and professionals.

contact our editor

Order your copy

Discover fresh insights and global perspectives in SCENE Magazine. Order your copy as a print-on-demand edition or download it digitally from the ISTA shop.

Visit the ista store

Did You know?

ISTA members receive free digital copies of SCENE Magazine and can explore our archive of past issues and articles.

Explore our other membership benefits

SCENE aims to spotlight the richness and diversity of the global arts landscape, sharing voices, ideas, and practices that inspire creativity, foster connection, and celebrate the transformative power of the arts.