The initial goal of the organization was to organize an international arts festival in Istanbul. According to the IKSV, the organization was looking “to offer the finest examples of art from around the world, while at the same time promoting the national, cultural, and artistic assets of Turkey, by using arts to create an international platform of communication.”

IKSV’s first arts festival, then called the International Istanbul Festival, was held in 1973. While the focus was on classical music in the early years, the festival expanded to include film screenings, theatre productions, jazz and ballet performances, and art exhibitions held in historic venues over time as public interest grew. Eventually, IKSV decided to organize several different festivals, including the Istanbul Biennial, which was established in 1987, and the Istanbul Film Festival and Theatre Festival, which were both established in 1989. With the International Istanbul Jazz Festival initiated in 1994, the International Istanbul Festival changed its name to the International Istanbul Music Festival, and IKSV thus became the organizer of five international arts festivals.

IKSV is also very active in social responsibility projects, such as its Tulip program, which aims to protect Turkey’s cultural heritage and foster the development of the arts. IKSV has also started to organize a number of small events, such as Phonem by Miller (an alternative rock and electronic music festival), Minifest (a children’s festival), and the bi-annual Leyla Gencer Voice Competition. As a part of its commitment to creating a platform for multicultural dialogue, IKSV has organized a number of international festivals abroad, such as those in Berlin, Stuttgart, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Vienna. In collaboration with Culturefrance, IKSV organized the Cultural Season of Turkey in France in 2009-2010 and continues to organize the Pavilion of Turkey at the Venice Biennale.

In 2009, IKSV moved its headquarters from Istiklal Caddesi to the renovated historical Deniz Palaz building in Şişhane. This move allowed the organization to also launch its own performance venue Salon—an innovative venue that brings together different performance styles under one roof, including musicians from various genres, such as jazz, rock, and alternative music, as well as theatre and literary events. The new building has also allowed IKSV to open a gift shop called IKSV Tasarım, which stocks a collection of jewelry, stationery, t-shirts, books, and decorative objects, all beautifully designed by local artists. The top floor of the building also features X Restaurant & Bar offering a stunning view of Haliç and the old city. This is a stylish restaurant, with an eclectic décor befitting a venue affiliated with IKSV. The menu features international dishes as well as updates on Turkish classics, all of which make this a highly recommended restaurant.