The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV)was founded in 1973, with the initial goals of offering the finest examples of cultural and artistic production from around the world and introducing new initiatives and movements to arts enthusiasts in Istanbul. Further goals included presenting the cultural and artistic assets of Turkey to the world and turning Istanbul into a major center within the international culture and arts community.

The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, organises the Istanbul Festivals of Music, Film, Theatre and Jazz, as well as the Istanbul Biennial, the Istanbul Design Biennial, autumn film week ‘Filmekimi’, and the Leyla Gencer Voice Competition. Also active on the international stage, İKSV organises festivals in major European cities and has managed the Pavilion of Turkey at the Venice Biennial since 2007.

The Foundation provides logistical and operational support to the National Network in Turkey through the Network Strategic Development Scheme (NSDS). For more information, please refer to the document “NSDS Step 4” under Resources column on the right. This document highlights the main responsibilities and services to be provided by the Network Coordinator for the members until 31 August 2011.

Under Resources you can also find other important documents for the Network, such as: Network Internal Rules, Members List and Member Survey Results 2010. 

To date, the Turkish network consists of 155 organizations. Most of these institutions work in the areas of youth, arts, human rights, gender issues and media. The Anna Lindh Foundation has funded 14 projects involving Turkish members.