The Past Decade – A Bold Journey

The launch of the Council in 2015 marked the beginning of a transformative journey for the sector, spurred by an ambitious vision inspired by the European arts scene.

These past years have seen ACM observing and learning from international practices, embracing an outward-looking and bold approach. The need for dedicated focus areas was immediately apparent, leading to the creation of specialised directorates to address the diverse needs of the sector.

The milestones we’re celebrating today include:

• The creation of national artistic companies such as Kor Malta, Teatru Malta, Żfin Malta, and the National Agency for the Performing Arts (NAPA).
• The establishing of Festivals Malta as an independent entity to focus exclusively on festivals.
• Increased arts funding.
• The joining of global networks such as IFACCA and EUNIC, alongside participation in major events like the Venice Biennale.
• Concrete steps to safeguard Malta’s artistic heritage by acquiring band clubs and supporting traditional feasts.
• Introducing EU-funded regional strategies to guide cultural growth across Malta.
• The launch of the Right to Culture pack to foster community engagement in the arts.
• The launch of the Status of the Artist Charter.
• The legal protection of artistic freedom.
• Collaboration with various organisations to promote cultural partnerships.
• Tax reductions for artists and incentives for cultural donations.
• Training and development opportunities for creatives.
• Surveys and studies on the arts sector.
• Rewarding and promoting excellence through the Premju għall-Arti.

Strategy 2025 – What’s Next?

We have now reached a stage where Strategy 2025 is nearing its fulfilment. The coming months will see us focusing on fostering growth and inclusivity so as to take the principles outlined in the Strategy to the next level.

We’ll be conducting consultations for Strategy 2030, while prioritising the improvement of artists’ working conditions through the Charter for the Status of the Artist, and promoting inclusion.

Other key action areas include:

• Advocating for the Charter for the Status of the Artist to protect rights, improve conditions, and ensure fairness in cultural sectors.
• Promoting cultural rights as universal through campaigns, media, and stakeholder consultations.
• Mapping cultural assets to inform regional cultural strategies.
• Providing updated cultural statistics to enhance policymaking and audience insights.
• Collaborating with education entities to promote arts careers and integrate arts into STEAM.
• Partnering with public entities for sustainable, cross-sectoral cultural policies.
• Assessing accessibility in public cultural venues for physical, intellectual, and linguistic needs.
• Promoting arts in health through collaborations and intersectoral policies.
• Establishing the Sectoral Representative Working Group for strategic advice over two years.

23 Funding Schemes To Be Launched

This year will also see a portfolio of 23 funding schemes and 34 calls, addressing key areas including education, internationalisation, media (encompassing film, newspapers, and radio), artistic heritage, entrepreneurship, project development, capacity building, community and regional projects, as well as health and wellbeing.

The list includes five new schemes alongside changes to some of the existing schemes. Highlights include:

• The Arts Support Scheme – one of the most popular programmes – will see increased anonymity and the introduction of a wellbeing objective for the thematic call.
• The Access Support Scheme, previously a complementary measure for other funded projects, will now operate as a stand-alone call. It will be open to applicants aiming to carry out independent projects centred on accessibility.
• The Screen Support Scheme will see significant growth with Strands 1-5 reissued in March, and increased funding. A new strand focusing on the internationalisation of local films will be introduced. The International Cultural Exchanges Scheme will also support projects by Malta-based artists in foreign countries.
• ACM and ARC Research and Consultancy Ltd will jointly introduce a scheme intersecting the cultural, health, and care sectors, supported by the European Commission’s Creative Europe platform through the CultureAndHealth initiative.
• A new scheme will offer financial assistance to local parishes for organising internal feasts.
• The Training and Development Support Scheme and the International Participation Scheme will be the first calls issued in 2025, each featuring two calls during the year.

More Funds & A Directorate For Internationalisation

Earlier this year the ACM launched the International Cultural Relations Directorate, dedicated to expanding Malta’s cultural footprint globally. We have long given priority to this aspect, and now this new directorate is set to strengthen our efforts to showcase Maltese artistic talent through prestigious international platforms.

The new directorate is headed by Annabelle Stivala, who will be focusing on promoting Maltese artists and Malta’s identity on the world stage. There will be additional funding and increased opportunities for local artists to exhibit and perform internationally.

Moreover, the directorate is committed to providing the tools and resources artists need to thrive globally, leveraging the momentum of Malta’s participation in the Venice Biennale and the London Design Biennale.

The Next Decade

As the next decade begins, we will continue to focus more strongly on the national development of creativity and culture while renewing our commitment to support the growth of a new generation of creative operators and cultural organisations.

Our priority is to ensure that this new generation is equipped to learn new technologies, apply them, and push boundaries. We will continue to proactively engage with our creative partnerships, building connections between communities, businesses, and institutions to raise awareness of the benefits that creativity and culture bring. Our Action Plan for 2025 is a reflection of the unwavering commitment to fostering a cultural environment where creativity and innovation thrive, positioning Malta as a global leader in creative excellence over the next decade.