Juilliard–MIT STEAM Arts Festival: How We Express Ourselves

Celebrating creativity, innovation and community through the arts

On 23 and 24 October, our Grade 4 students took part in the Juilliard–MIT STEAM Arts Festival, a vibrant two-day experience inspired by the PYP Unit of Inquiry How We Express Ourselves. The festival blended artistic exploration with innovation and wellbeing, inviting students to connect movement, music, art and performance in exciting new ways.

Learning through the arts

In the Juilliard-led sessions, students explored drama, dance and music to express ideas and emotions through rhythm, gesture, masks and storytelling. Each session encouraged creative risk-taking and collaboration, helping every child discover their own artistic voice while developing teamwork and communication skills.

Innovation meets imagination

The MIT STEAM sessions, adapted from TEAM WORKS! Building Community, challenged students to problem-solve, reflect and build interactive modules combining collage, sound and movement. Circus-based activities added a playful and physical dimension, strengthening focus, balance and trust among peers.

A celebration of creativity and connection

Through these experiences, students saw how the arts nurture confidence, curiosity and community. The festival reminded us that the arts are not separate from learning but at the heart of it, helping students express who they are, listen to others and value the power of working together.

Discover how your child can thrive through our world-class collaborations with The Juilliard School and MIT. Contact our Admissions Team to learn more about life at ICS Madrid (admissions@icsmadrid.org)

Click here to watch our social media video from the festival. ⬇️