Photo: Joint Seminar between ISI BALI and AIIT Japan, Tuesday (23 June), at the General Lecture Hall, Design Hub, ISI BALI.
Denpasar, Bali — The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI BALI), in collaboration with the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology (AIIT), Japan, organized a joint seminar entitled “Religion in Art” (With Particular Focus on Balinese Hinduism and Culture) on Tuesday (23 June) at the General Lecture Hall, Design Hub, ISI BALI. The event formed part of the Bali-Bhuwana Kanti (Global Culture and Arts Project Networking) program within the framework of Bali Padma Bhuwana VI 2026.
The seminar featured three distinguished speakers from Indonesia and Japan who explored the interrelationship between religion, art, and culture in Balinese society. The speakers included Prof. Mitsuhiro Maeda, Secretary General of the Asia Professional Education Network (APEN); Mr. Masashi Nakagawa, Executive Director of the Global Association of Civilizational Diversity; and Prof. Dr. Gede Yudarta, Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts at ISI BALI.
In his presentation, Prof. Mitsuhiro Maeda delivered a lecture entitled “Balinese Community Rituals/Festivals as a New Civilization: Towards Brain Functional Civilizational Analysis.” He emphasized that Balinese rituals and festivals possess not only spiritual and cultural significance but can also be understood as components of a broader civilizational framework that shapes patterns of thought, social behavior, and harmonious relationships among humans, nature, and religious values.
Photo: Joint Seminar between ISI BALI and AIIT Japan, Tuesday (23 June), at the General Lecture Hall, Design Hub, ISI BALI.
Meanwhile, Mr. Masashi Nakagawa presented a paper entitled “From Artwork to Resonance: Art as a Living Connection in Balinese Society.” His presentation highlighted how works of art in Bali transcend their function as mere aesthetic objects, serving instead as dynamic mediums that connect communities with their traditions, social environments, and the spiritual values embedded in everyday life.
On the same occasion, Prof. Dr. Gede Yudarta presented a study entitled “Religiosity and the Existence of Gamelan Gong Beruk in the Ngusaba Desa Ritual at Pura Pemaksan Bangle, Karangasem, Bali.” He explained that Gamelan Gong Beruk constitutes an important cultural heritage with a vital role in the religious rituals of the local community. Beyond functioning as a performing arts ensemble, it serves as an integral component of spiritual practice and a significant marker of Balinese cultural identity.
Photo: Joint Seminar between ISI BALI and AIIT Japan, Tuesday (23 June), at the General Lecture Hall, Design Hub, ISI BALI.
The seminar was conducted in an interactive format and attended by dozens of students from various academic programs within ISI BALI. Participants demonstrated considerable enthusiasm through active engagement in question-and-answer sessions and discussions addressing strategies for the preservation, safeguarding, and sustainable development of Balinese arts and culture amid the challenges of globalization. (ISI BALI Public Relations Office)
Photo: Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ISI Bali and Rumah Intaran Architecture Studio, Monday (22 June), at Nata Widya Sabha Hall, ISI Bali.
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI Bali) officially established a collaborative partnership with Rumah Intaran Architecture Studio through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), held at Nata Widya Sabha Hall, ISI Bali, on Monday, 22 June 2026.
The MoU was signed by the Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation of ISI Bali, Prof. Dr. Komang Sudirga, S.Sn., M.Hum., and the Founder of Rumah Intaran Architecture Studio, Gede Kresna Nata Dwijaksana. This partnership represents a strategic initiative to strengthen collaboration between a higher education institution specializing in the arts and a creative space actively engaged in the development of artistic, cultural, and architectural practices in Bali.
Prof. Dr. Komang Sudirga welcomed the establishment of the partnership, emphasizing the importance of synergy between universities and creative industry actors, as well as cultural spaces, in broadening students’ learning experiences while strengthening the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education.
“ISI Bali continuously strives to build collaborative networks with various institutions that share a common vision for the advancement of arts, culture, and creativity. Rumah Intaran is widely recognized as a creative space that actively initiates a variety of artistic and cultural activities. We hope that this partnership will create broader opportunities for students, lecturers, and artists to collaborate, create, and innovate together,” he stated.
Photo: Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ISI Bali and Rumah Intaran Architecture Studio, Monday (22 June), at Nata Widya Sabha Hall, ISI Bali.
He further noted that the collaboration is expected to extend beyond a formal agreement and be realized through concrete programs, including exhibitions, performances, academic discussions, research activities, community engagement initiatives, internship programs, and practice-based learning opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Founder of Rumah Intaran Architecture Studio, Gede Kresna Nata Dwijaksana, explained that the relationship between Rumah Intaran and the academic community of ISI Bali has, in fact, been established for many years. Various artistic and cultural activities involving lecturers, students, alumni, and artists affiliated with ISI Bali have previously been conducted at Rumah Intaran, although these collaborations have largely been informal.
“Rumah Intaran has long served as a meeting point for numerous artists, including members of the ISI Bali academic community. Various visual art exhibitions, performances, discussions, and other creative activities have been organized in our space. Therefore, the signing of this MoU marks an important milestone in strengthening a relationship that has developed naturally over time and transforming it into a more structured and sustainable collaboration,” he remarked.
According to him, collaboration with ISI Bali will provide mutual benefits for both institutions in fostering a more dynamic creative ecosystem and supporting the continued development of Balinese arts and culture amidst contemporary challenges.
Through this partnership, ISI Bali and Rumah Intaran are committed to developing a range of collaborative programs that will contribute meaningfully to education, research, community service, and the strengthening of Bali’s artistic and cultural ecosystem.
For information, Rumah Intaran is a research-based architecture studio and a community-oriented interdisciplinary creative and learning space that serves as a collaborative platform in the fields of arts, culture, design, environmental sustainability, community empowerment, and creative economy development in Northern Bali.
Photo: ISI Bali exhibition booth at the Badung Education Fair (BEF) 2026, Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Hall, Wednesday (June 10).
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI Bali) participated in the Badung Education Fair (BEF) 2026, organized by the Badung Regency Government at the Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Hall, Badung Government Center (Puspem Badung), from June 9–11, 2026. Carrying the theme “Sustainable Education for All,” the event served as both an educational promotion platform and an opportunity for students to explore higher education options and scholarship opportunities.
BEF 2026 was once again held as an annual education exhibition aimed at assisting senior high school graduates and their equivalents in selecting academic programs while obtaining information regarding educational assistance schemes and scholarship programs provided by the Badung Regency Government. Through extensive outreach initiatives, the local government seeks to ensure that information regarding access to education is delivered directly and clearly to prospective beneficiaries.
In addition to serving as an educational information platform, BEF 2026 was designed as a venue for recognizing and celebrating student achievements in Badung Regency. Various academic and non-academic accomplishments, ranging from local to national levels, were showcased to the public. The event was further enlivened by the participation of approximately twenty higher education institutions, each presenting exhibition booths to introduce their flagship academic programs.
Photo: ISI Bali exhibition booth at the Badung Education Fair (BEF) 2026, Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Hall, Wednesday (June 10).
On this occasion, ISI Bali presented a diverse range of creative works produced by its students and faculty members, highlighting the principles of sustainability and environmental responsibility in artistic practice. Visitors had the opportunity to explore a variety of innovative products and artworks, including eco-fashion, eco-crafts, traditional shadow puppets (wayang kulit), ceramics, and other creative works that integrate elements of art, culture, and sustainability.
ISI Bali’s participation in BEF 2026 marked an important opportunity to introduce its academic programs, institutional achievements, and the creative accomplishments of its academic community to the broader public, particularly young people preparing to pursue higher education.
Through its interactive exhibition booth, ISI Bali also provided information regarding student admission pathways, career prospects for graduates, and various opportunities for talent development and creative growth available to students throughout their studies at Bali’s state institute of the arts.
(ISI Bali Public Relations)
Photo: ISI Bali exhibition booth at the Badung Education Fair (BEF) 2026, Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Hall, Wednesday (June 10).
ISI Bali’s Presence at ArtMoments Jakarta 2026 Draws Attention from Government Officials, Collectors, and Art Figures
Photo: ISI Bali Rector Prof. Dr. Wayan “Kun” Adnyana with Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Prof. Stella Christie at ArtMoments Jakarta.
The participation of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI Bali) in the international contemporary and modern art fair ArtMoments Jakarta 2026 attracted significant attention from a wide range of audiences. Through its Nata-Citta Art Space (N-CAS) booth, themed RAYA-CITTA-RUPA (The Light of Creative Imagination), artworks created by ISI Bali faculty members and students were visited by government officials, collectors, journalists, and prominent figures in the Indonesian art world throughout the exhibition, which was held at the Agora Ballroom Jakarta from June 4–7, 2026.
One of the notable visits came from the Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Stella Christie. During her visit, she expressed appreciation for ISI Bali’s participation in presenting diverse expressions of contemporary Balinese art within this international platform. In addition to Stella Christie, the N-CAS booth was also visited by Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita and Vice Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha.
Photo: ISI Bali Rector Prof. Dr. Wayan “Kun” Adnyana with Vice Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha at ArtMoments Jakarta.
Beyond attracting attention from government representatives, the ISI Bali booth also became a meeting point for notable figures from the arts and media sectors. Among those recorded visiting the exhibition were Kompas journalist Hilmi Faiq, Nawa Tunggal founder, Prestige Magazine publisher Ronald Liem, writer and art critic Agus Dermawan T., and Bambang Bujono. The exhibition also welcomed prominent collectors, including Tossin Himawan, Wiyu Wahono, and Sendy Widjaya. Public figures such as Anjasmara and Chef Juna Rorimpandey were likewise seen visiting the ISI Bali booth.
According to ISI Bali Rector Prof. Dr. Wayan “Kun” Adnyana, the Nata-Citta Art Space (N-CAS) presentation at this year’s ArtMoments Jakarta featured paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramic crafts, and textile design works that collectively represent the latest developments in contemporary Balinese visual arts.
Photo: Nata-Citta Art Space (N-CAS) Booth of ISI Bali at ArtMoments Jakarta.
The exhibition was curated by Prof. Dr. A.A. Rai Remawa, Warih Wisatsana, and Alaida Niwaya. A total of sixteen artists from different generations participated in the exhibition, consisting of thirteen faculty members and three selected students from ISI Bali. The participating artists included I Wayan “Kun” Adnyana, I Ketut Muka Pendet, I Nengah Wira Kesuma, Wayan Sujana Suklu, I Made Jodog, I Made Suparta, Ida Ayu Gede Artayani, Tjok Istri Ratna C.S., Ida Bagus Candra Yana, Ni Made Tiartini Mudarahayu, I Made Hendra Mahajaya P., I Gede Jaya Putra, I Wayan Adi Sucipta, I Gede Ari Widia Utama Pucangan, Tebuana Istri Mahisarani, and Desak Putu Agnis.
Prof. Kun Adnyana further explained that the exhibited works emerged from extensive creative processes that integrate personal experiences, artistic research, empirical observations, and critical reinterpretations of the cultural traces that continue to shape life in Bali.
“The diverse media and artistic approaches presented in this exhibition demonstrate how contemporary Balinese art continues to evolve while maintaining the cultural roots that serve as its foundation,” stated the Professor of Art History.
ISI Bali’s participation in ArtMoments Jakarta 2026 provided a strategic platform for introducing the creative achievements of its academic community to both national and international audiences. The presence of government officials, collectors, creative industry practitioners, and art figures at the N-CAS booth reflects the growing recognition and appreciation of contemporary artistic practices emerging from the academic environment of ISI Bali.
12 ISI Bali Students Qualify for the 2026 National Student Arts Week
Photo: Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Bali Regional Student Arts Week (PEKSIMIDA), Kirtya Sabha Mahottama Auditorium, ISI Bali, Saturday (June 6).
Twelve students from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI Bali) have secured their places in the 2026 National Student Arts Week (PEKSIMINAS) after winning first place in the 2026 Bali Regional Student Arts Week (PEKSIMIDA). The event was hosted by ISI Bali on Saturday (June 6).
This achievement demonstrates the outstanding accomplishments of ISI Bali students across various artistic disciplines featured in the competition. A total of twelve students competing in six categories earned first-place awards and will represent the Province of Bali at the national level.
Photo: The Strip Comic Competition during PEKSIMIDA 2026, held at the Design Hub Building, ISI Bali, Saturday (June 6).
The first-place winners included Zahid Zahendra from the Performing Arts Education Study Program in the Dangdut Singing category, Sri Agung Wulandewi Putri Laksana from the Music Study Program in the Female Keroncong Singing category, and I Kadek Ariandi Triana Putra Widi Nugraha from the Visual Communication Design Study Program in the Poetry Reading category.
In the Dance category, the ISI Bali team consisting of Ida Ayu Adi Tri Wiranti, Ni Kadek Dhya Sumitha Apsari, Ni Nengah Diah Tantri, Made Githa Sanjiwani, I Made Wahyu Danutirtha, I Putu Gede Pradipta Utama, and G. Ngr. Bagus Andika Prasetya secured first place. In addition, Ni Luh Made Bindi Hita from the Animation Study Program won first place in the Strip Comic category, while Insan Kamis from the Photography Study Program earned first place in the Documentary Journalism Photography category.
The Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation of ISI Bali expressed appreciation for the students’ achievements, recognizing the dedication, creativity, and excellence they demonstrated throughout the competition.
“This accomplishment is the result of the hard work of our students, the guidance of faculty mentors, and the support of the entire ISI Bali academic community. We are proud that our students have demonstrated their quality and competitiveness at the regional level. We hope that the winners will prepare thoroughly and continue to bring pride to Bali and ISI Bali at the national competition,” he stated.
Photo: The Painting Competition during PEKSIMIDA 2026, held at the Fine Arts Studio, ISI Bali, Saturday (June 6).
In addition to securing six first-place titles, the ISI Bali contingent also achieved notable results in several other competition categories. ISI Bali won second place in the Vocal Group, Female Seriosa Singing, Male Pop Singing, Female Poetry Reading, and Painting categories.
Meanwhile, third place was achieved in the Poster Design category. In the honorable mention category, ISI Bali students received Second Honorable Mention in both the Monologue and Poetry Writing competitions.
These achievements further reinforce ISI Bali’s role as a leading arts institution committed to nurturing outstanding talents in the fields of arts and culture. Participation in PEKSIMIDA serves not only as a competitive platform but also as a valuable opportunity for students to develop creativity, deepen artistic appreciation, and strengthen the character of a culturally grounded and high-achieving younger generation.
ISI BALI has admitted 529 prospective new students through the Computer-Based Written Examination (UTBK) under the 2026 National Selection Based on Test (SNBT) pathway. The results were announced simultaneously on Monday (May 25) afternoon.
Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Information Systems of ISI BALI, Prof. Dr. AA Gde Bagus Udayana, stated that a total of 938 applicants competed for seats across 19 undergraduate and applied bachelor’s degree programs in this year’s SNBT admission. Of the admitted students, 113 are recipients of the Indonesia Smart College Card (KIP-K) educational assistance program.
“Based on our data, 21 percent of students admitted through the 2026 SNBT pathway at ISI BALI are KIP-K scholarship recipients. This reflects ISI BALI’s commitment to expanding access to higher arts education for people from diverse economic backgrounds,” said Prof. Udayana.
Prof. Udayana explained that the Digital Business Study Program was among the most competitive programs this year. Out of 118 applicants, only 34 students were accepted, resulting in an acceptance rate of 28.81 percent.
Meanwhile, ISI BALI’s two newest study programs also attracted strong interest from applicants. The English Language and Culture Study Program recorded 36 applicants, with 24 students accepted. Meanwhile, the Vocational Education in Cosmetology Study Program admitted 10 students out of 16 applicants. The strong interest in these new programs demonstrates the growing public enthusiasm for the development of arts, culture, and the creative industries at ISI BALI.
“The Visual Communication Design (VCD) Study Program remains the most popular program in this year’s SNBT pathway. A total of 190 applicants registered for the program, and 106 students were accepted. It was followed by the Fashion Design Study Program, which attracted 136 applicants and admitted 51 students,” explained the professor of visual communication design.
Students who passed the SNBT selection are required to complete the Single Tuition Fee (UKT) data submission process from May 26 to June 2, 2026. The UKT determination is scheduled for June 3, 2026.
Prof. Udayana reminded admitted students that those who fail to complete the re-registration process according to the schedule will be considered to have withdrawn from the SNBT pathway. For applicants who were not admitted, ISI BALI still provides 260 seats through the independent admission pathway.
“Congratulations to all students who have passed the SNBT selection at ISI BALI. For those who have not yet succeeded, keep your spirit up and do not give up. There is still an opportunity through the independent admission pathway to secure a place at Bali’s proud arts and design campus,” he said.
