Arts Council Malta (ACM) has announced two new initiatives aimed at bolstering sustainable and inclusive growth within Malta’s cultural and creative sectors. Two separate collaborations with the Malta National Park and the Malta Crafts Foundation, will see ACM working hand-in-hand with key partners to create more opportunities for artists, craftspeople, and cultural practitioners to thrive, while engaging the public in meaningful cultural experiences.
New Cultural Venue Open in Ta’ Qali
ACM and Ta’ Qali National Park are joining forces to provide a safe and welcoming space where artists can meet, create, and showcase their work to diverse audiences.
The collaboration is built on a shared vision that prioritises visibility, preservation, and innovation in the cultural and creative sectors by providing clear strategic targets that range from capacity-building initiatives to artist support programmes. Key actions include:
- Artist participation: Promoting opportunities for artists to contribute to the park’s artistic and cultural calendar.
- Incubation and residencies: Providing space for meetings, information dissemination, and creative residencies, supported by ACM’s expertise and resources.
- Capacity building: Hosting at least two training events for park officers involved in artistic and cultural programming, ensuring they adopt good and ethical practices in their engagement with the creative community.
- Enterprise support: Offering resources and guidance to incubate creative enterprises, enabling sustainable growth within the sector.
“We’re extremely satisfied with this collaboration with Arts Council Malta. This the result of our work and vision, that we also extend the Ta’ Qali National Park into new communities for art and creativity in the midst of the largest public space in the country,” said Jason Micallef, Head of the Malta National Park – Ta’ Qali.
Putting the Spotlight on the Artisan Sector
The second initiative sees ACM teaming up with the Malta Crafts Foundation (MCF) to focus on advancing the status of cultural and creative practitioners within the artisan sector. The collaboration seeks to empower artisans while fostering innovation and sustainability within the crafts industry.
In this respect, ACM will invest in the Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat, which promotes collaborations between artisans and designers. A further investment will be allocated to the organisation of DesignMT, a showcase of creativity where tradition meets innovation.
“As Malta Crafts Foundation, we are very happy and excited to sign this agreement, which builds on our work in the past years and enables us to further strengthen our collaboration with Arts Council Malta. Through our joint efforts, we look forward to unlocking new opportunities for artisans and artists, extending our support to help them navigate in today’s realities, and creating a lasting impact that benefits our cultural landscape,” stated Elton Micallef, CEO of Malta Crafts Foundation.
The collaboration will further elevate the crafts sector by supporting artisans as cultural workers, providing resources, and offering training and assistance to artisans.
MaryAnn Cauchi, COO Funding & Strategy at Arts Council Malta, stated: “Both these agreements are guided and formed by the key principles and pillars that provide the foundation for Strategy 2025, supporting cultural growth while ensuring long-term sustainability. Through such collaborations, ACM continues to foster artistic expression, professional development, and community engagement. We will continue to work towards setting new levels of cultural partnerships in Malta by promoting excellence and innovation, knowledge sharing, professionalisation and sustainability.”
Both agreements will take place across the course of the next three years, with working groups made up of representatives of all parties exchanging knowledge and updates through regular meetings.
For more information visit https://artscouncil.mt/
