The CultureAndHealth platform is co-funded by the European Union, Culture Action Europe and 14 European partner organisations, including ARC Research & Consultancy as the Maltese partner for the platform. The key benefits of the CultureAndHealth platform for artists include:

• Financial support for projects that bridge culture and health;
• International mobility and increased visibility;
• Trainings and capacity-building initiatives;
• Peer support and networking opportunities;
• Showcasing events highlighting artists’ work.

For more information about the Culture and Health platform, you can consult the online launch event video. A collection of projects in the culture, health, and well-being fields can be found in the CultureForHealth mapping database.

As part of the local platform initiatives, ARC Research & Consultancy, in collaboration with Arts Council Malta (from now onwards referred to as the Funding Entities), are issuing a fund targeting emerging Maltese and Malta-based artists and creative professionals in the intersectoral fields of culture, health, and care.
The scheme is supported in equal amounts by Arts Council Malta through funds allocated by the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government and ARC Research & Consultancy through funds allocated by the European Union.

In line with one of ACM’s overarching themes focusing on care, this fund is a tool to further support the cultural and creative sectors by:

• Nurturing inter-sectoral collaborations at local, national, and international levels to support the intersection between culture, health, and care.
• Fostering an interest in culture, health, and care as an intersection which supports holistic well-being and prosperous societies.
• Exploring the positive effects of arts and cultural activities on health and well-being.
• Supporting the development of artists and creative professionals committed to exploring this field.
• Facilitating the creation of projects, programmes, and platforms that enable emerging artists to engage with specific communities, healthcare settings, and/or challenging health conditions through their artistic practice.
• Building and strengthening strategic partnerships, collaborations, and networks, on a national and international level, to enable sustainable opportunities and long-term systematic solutions at the intersection between Culture and Health.
• Valuing and positioning the diversity of artistic and cultural expression, access, and participation as integral to Malta’s wider cultural and creative ecology.

This scheme recognises the potential of the intersection between culture, health, and care to support holistic well-being, disease prevention, and care processes, as well as stronger and healthier communities. Whilst recognising the value of all forms of practices and interventions, this specific scheme is not intended to support arts therapy projects per se. The types of projects which this fund is looking to support are described under the sections ‘Strand 1’ and ‘Strand 2’.

The scheme, which will be divided into two strands, will offer the opportunity for emerging artists to:

Strand 1 – International learning mobility
Engage in international shadowing/mentoring opportunities to support development and exchange of knowledge for emerging artists in this area.
This strand will enable individuals to express their interest in, and receive support for, international learning mobility, within the Creative Europe countries,1 with an established entity or individual(s) specialising in culture and health practices, projects, and programmes.
The host needs to be contacted prior to the application stage, and to sign a letter of intent for submission with the application.

Strand 2 – Project Implementation

Propose projects, led by emerging artists in this field, promoting the improvement of the quality of life and cultural access in healthcare or social care settings.
This strand will support projects and/or programmes which bring together professionals and organisations across the arts, health, and social sectors that aim at supporting creative projects designed to deliver health and well-being benefits. Projects could include:

• Participatory art programmes for people experiencing physical and mental illnesses, as well as projects that focus on prevention, in diverse settings.
• Arts in healthcare environments, including projects designed to enhance healthcare environments and support the well-being of staff and patients.
• Productions in healthcare settings: which could include performances, installations, and exhibitions that support general well-being and highlight health-related issues.
• Artist residencies in healthcare or social care settings.
• Practice-based research activity.

The projects shall look into integrating new artistic practices—or strengthening existing programmes—within local communities and established structures, to foster long-term connections and sustainability. They shall also look at developing the work of the emerging artists involved.

The partnering healthcare or social care entity/organisation needs to be contacted prior to the application stage. The host needs to sign a letter of intent to be submitted with the application. The partnering organisation cannot be a/another cultural entity, but specifically needs to be a healthcare or social care entity/organisation.