Maltese performing arts practitioners presented their projects to international industry professionals during a dedicated pitching event at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, marking a key phase in Arts Council Malta’s 18-month professional development programme through which performing arts practitioners will be better prepared for international touring.
This event gave participating artists the opportunity to put months of mentoring and training into practice, presenting their work within one of the world’s most important environments for performing arts and making direct connections with professionals working across the international sector.
During the Festival, before taking to the pitch, participants had the opportunity to engage with the international performing arts community, meeting producers and other industry professionals working at the Fringe, and they also attended industry sessions focusing on how they can take their shows from pitches to production.
The Edinburgh programme also gave participants the opportunity to see Maltese work that’s already making its mark at the Fringe, with the group attending a performance of The Trials of Magnus Coffinkey. The production’s presence at the festival offered a timely example of a Maltese production reaching international audiences within the same environment that participants are now learning to navigate.
Minister for Arts, Culture and National Heritage Malcolm Paul Agius Galea said: “This reflects the Government’s commitment to creating stronger international opportunities for Maltese artists and cultural practitioners. Seeing Maltese artists presenting their work here in Edinburgh is of great satisfaction for all those who have been involved in the process, a tangible result of the direction we have set for culture. Our cultural strategy recognises that Malta’s size should never determine the reach of its artists, and this sustained investment helps ensure that international opportunities become an integral part of artistic careers. Thus we remain committed to continue supporting our artists as they grasp the opportunities being presented to them to build careers that reach beyond Malta.”
Dr Luke Dalli, Executive Chair at Arts Council Malta, said “In Edinburgh our practitioners were given the opportunity to put into practice the skills, knowledge and confidence they have built throughout the programme. The pitch is not an end in itself, but part of a longer process of preparing artists to engage with international professionals and to understand what is required to take their work beyond Malta. Seeing the participants here, presenting their projects and engaging directly with producers and other industry professionals, demonstrates the value of investing in this kind of sustained professional development.”
“These are the experiences that can help artists develop their practice, build meaningful relationships and identify opportunities that can continue well beyond the Fringe. Our aim is to ensure that Maltese practitioners are equipped not only to present their work internationally, but to navigate the professional realities that come with building an international career,” stated Dr Dalli.
Annabelle Stivala, the Executive Head International Cultural Relations at Arts Council Malta, explained that the programme began in March with the aim of preparing Maltese artists to take their work to an international stage. She continued that nineteen artists engaged in the programme and are now in Edinburgh connecting with key people across the industry and gaining valuable insights, with a vision to participate with their own work next year. Stivala continued explaining that the preparation leading up to this experience included practical sessions addressing essential aspects of developing and presenting work internationally and also developing the skills and confidence needed to pitch projects effectively.
“We are confident that the artists now have a strong foundation from which to develop their work and pursue touring opportunities. This experience is an important step in strengthening Malta’s creative community and creating new pathways for Maltese artists on the international stage,” stated Stivala.
Arts Council Malta’s initiative originally attracted 30 applications, whereby 19 projects have since been mentored through a programme incorporating workshops, masterclasses, peer exchange and professional training focused on international touring. The programme forms part of Arts Council Malta’s wider internationalisation work and its long-term investment in strengthening the professional capacity, mobility and international networks of Malta’s cultural and creative sectors.
For more information visit https://artscouncilmalta.gov.mt
