Izmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education was established in 1985 with the purpose of taking every kind of initiative directed at research, study, creation, learning, teaching, preservation and generalization of culture and art to masses.The Foundation has been organizing the International İzmir Festival uninterruptedly every year since the day it was established. Also, it is the organizer  of the İzmir European Jazz Festival since 1993.İzmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education which has provided very important contributions in formation of city identity of İzmir that has a past of 8000 years and has been the place of birth of many civilizations throughout history organizes contests at national level besides festivals. The National Composition Contest organized biennially in the name of its founding chairman Dr.Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı has added over 150 symphonic works to our polyphonic music until today.

İKSEV which has an important status and experience in the international musical public opinion with the International İzmir Festival aims to transfer this experience to young generations.  For this purpose, İKSEV has founded Academy İKSEV which gives high quality music and dance education ‘’To everybody who desires, for every age, every need, every level.’’  IKSEV Master Class Educations started with Igor Oistrakh’s Masterclass.  İzmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education, in consideration of the contemporary developments in performing arts education has chosen to start a new structuring and made the decision to provide education at advanced level. İKSEV, within its new understanding of education, selected the way of studying with young artists who have already reached a specific level with the workshops and masterclasses it organizes: Amnon Weinstein, Joshua Epstein, Tuncay Yılmaz, Gisela Bullacher, Valery Oistrakh, Tedi Papavrami, Akira Jimbo, Rex Richardson, Şirin Pancaroğlu, Dora Schwarzberg, Gökhan Aybulus, Gülsin Onay, Mehmet Balkan, Mary Wilson, Male Instrumenty, Gürer Aykal, Zafer Baykal, Sasha Stanov, Furio Di Castri Quartet, Rafal Olbinski, Timuçin Şahin Quartet, Janusz Prusinowski Trio, Maciej Obara International Quintet, Uli Kempendorf Quartet, Kerem Görsev,Yuri Honing Acoustic Quartet, Edmar Castaneda, Marcin Wasilewski Trio, Pablo Held Trio,Mauro Grossi Quintets,Uwe Kropinski Joe Sasche, Livio Minafra Quartet, ICP Orchestra (Instant Composers Pool),Egg Project Quartet, Luigi Campoccia Quartet, Siena Jazz Quartet,Ricardo Luppi, Vincenzo Mingliardi, Roberto Bpnati, Roberto Dani,Alessandro Girotto, Ilaria Patassini, Gianluca Cassadei, Gianfranco Benigi, Stefano Cesare, Fulvio Maras,Claudio Fasoli & Antonio Zambrini,Thomas Wallicsh&Oli Bott, Nikos Touliatos, Roberto Masotti, Mario Raja, Bruno Tommaso, Marvi La Spina, Martha Graham Dance Company master classes and workshops were performed.