İzmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education (İKSEV) was founded in 1985 with the aim to research and study, support, create, protect and preserve culture and arts. Since its inception, the Foundation organises annually the International İzmir Festival. Another annual event, the Izmir European Jazz Festival has also been important activity of the Foundation since 1994. İzmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education, whose enthusiastic efforts have contributed a lot to development of identity of İzmir, an 8000 year old city, known as the cradle of many civilizations throughout the history, also organises international competitions besides festivals. Dedicated to the founding President of İKSEV, the late Dr. Nejat Eczacıbaşı, the National Composition Contest organised every other year has introduced more than 120 symphonic pieces to our polyphonic music to date. İKSEV, who has gained recognition and experience in the field of international music through İzmir Festivals, aims to share this experience with young generations. In conformity with its objectives, İKSEV established “Akademi İKSEV” mostly to serve on high standard music and performing arts education for all ages and levels. Akademi İKSEV started with a master class of Igor Oistrakh on 24th of February 2004 and since then has continued to organise many master classes on ballet and jazz.