Mike Bindon

ISTA Executive Director

Mike Bindon is ISTA’s Executive Director, a specialist in international arts education and an active filmmaker and artist. His career has focused on developing creative strategies that expand young people’s access to high-quality arts experiences.

Before joining ISTA, Mike spent a decade leading the global development of the International Baccalaureate’s Diploma Programme theatre, film and visual arts courses. He holds a Master’s degree in Performing Arts Education and a Doctorate in International Education. His doctoral research explored how IB World Schools can overcome the barriers that prevent students from choosing Diploma Programme arts courses.

At ISTA, Mike leads the organisation’s strategic development and champions the role of the arts in creating globally minded, collaborative and culturally literate young people.

Stories

9 stories

Equity & Access · Insight

Arts Uptake Is About Permission, Not Persuasion

Drawing on his doctoral research, Michael Bindon explores why declining participation in the arts may be less about persuading students to choose them, and more about whether schools genuinely enable that choice.

Mike Bindon 23 September 2026 6 min read

Film · Insight

Young people have never needed Film education more

In a world saturated with moving images, social media and AI, ISTA's Executive Director Michael Bindon makes the case for putting Film education firmly into young people’s hands.

Mike Bindon 21 September 2026 4 min read

Insight

A new ISTA year: strengthening our Global Ensemble

ISTA Executive Director Mike Bindon reflects on community feedback, organisational improvements and new global learning opportunities shaping the year ahead.

Mike Bindon 9 August 2026 3 min read

Insight · Theatre

Why the Future of Theatre Education Begins with Less

As AI reshapes arts education, ISTA is championing human-centred practice that strengthens the focus, judgement, collaboration and creative responsibility young artists need to make meaningful work.

Mike Bindon 30 June 2026 4 min read

Insight · Theatre

The Act of Making: Rethinking Concept-Based Learning for Theatre Teachers

Most concept-based professional learning was built around the Structure of Knowledge — understanding extracted from texts and analysis. But theatre teaching lives in the Structure of Process. Michael Bindon on why the framework never quite fit, and what changes when you find the language that does.

Mike Bindon 3 June 2026 4 min read

Film · Theatre · Insight

Mimetic Isomorphism and the Optionality of the Arts in the IB Diploma Programme

One of the most persistent assumptions in international schools is that Group 6 in the IB Diploma Programme must be presented to students as an optional subject group.

Mike Bindon 12 March 2026 4 min read

Film · Theatre · Insight

Why “Caught Using AI” Is the Wrong Conversation for Arts Education

The year has begun with multiple international news stories about politicians, government officials, and public figures being “caught” using artificial intelligence.

Mike Bindon 28 February 2026 3 min read

News

End of Year Message from ISTA's Executive Director

2025 has been a year of change and transition at ISTA. Many of you have experienced the introduction of new platforms, new processes and new ways of working. I am deeply grateful for your patience, flexibility and…

Mike Bindon 31 December 2025 2 min read

Film · Theatre · Insight

Breaking Barriers in IB Arts: Rethinking Student Choice and the Optionality of Group 6 in the DP

Across the world, the arts continue to transform lives, fostering creative expression, intercultural understanding, and a vital sense of belonging for young people. Yet in many international education contexts…

Mike Bindon 19 December 2025 5 min read