Applicants must be Maltese citizens or be in possession of a Malta residence permit, a Maltese citizenship certificate or a Maltese passport.

Applicants may be:

• Creative professionals/individual artists
• Groups, collectives and consortia
• Voluntary organisations enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.

Strand 1 is open to creative professionals, voluntary organisations, groups or cooperatives active in the arts or students already undergoing formation in a creative or artistic field. In the case of students, the programme proposed must be in line with their studies, however, it must not substitute or form part of their formal or informal formation programme. The beneficiary of the grant must be 18 years and over.

Strand 2 is open to outstanding young artists who; by the date of the result notification are between 8 and 17 years of age; are already undergoing formation within an artistic or creative field. The programme they are applying for must be in line with and complement such formation programme. Young creatives under the age of 18 will require a consent form signed by their legal representative clearly indicating the name and ID number of at least one parent or legal guardian.

The application should be filled and submitted by the beneficiary of the grant, however in the case of minors the name and ID number of the applicant’s parent or legal guardian should be included with the supporting documentation. When applications are successful the contract will be issued on behalf of the parent or legal guardian.

Click here to download guidelines and download application template for Strand 1 and Strand 2.

Applications Deadline: 10th March 2026

Rank Order Strand 1

Beneficiary: Gulja Holland
Reference Number: TDS126-26-7711
Project Title: Strategic Curatorial Mentorship with Kathleen Soriano
Amount Rewarded: €2000
Project Summary Description: This project consists of a six-session strategic curatorial mentorship with internationally acclaimed curator Kathleen Soriano. The programme supports the professional development of artist Gulja Holland following her selection to represent the Malta Pavilion at the Malta Biennale 2026. The mentorship will focus on strengthening conceptual clarity, institutional positioning, international networking, and long-term career sustainability. Sessions will provide guidance on refining artistic discourse, expanding curatorial relationships in the UK and Europe, and enhancing professional visibility within international art platforms. Building on an established professional relationship initiated during Portrait Artist of the Year (2021) and subsequent collaborations, this programme supports excellence, professionalisation, and international engagement in line with Arts Council Malta’s strategic objectives.

Beneficiary: Leah Formosa
Reference Number: TDS114-26-7546
Project Title: West End Stage – Musical Theatre Course Abroad
Amount Rewarded: €2000
Project Summary Description: Leah Formosa’s project involves the participation in the West End Stage Summer School in London, an intensive musical theatre training programme led by experienced West End performers, directors, and choreographers. Through daily classes in acting, singing, and dance, alongside rehearsals and industry-led masterclasses, the programme provides advanced training in the core skills required within professional musical theatre practice. The training culminates in a final showcase performance on a West End stage at His Majesty’s Theatre, where participants present material rehearsed during the week in a professional theatre setting. Participation in this programme will strengthen Leah’s technical foundation in acting, singing, and dance while providing exposure to international training practices within the musical theatre industry. The experience will support her progression towards further professional training and enhance her contribution to Malta’s performing arts community.

Beneficiary: Chantelle Micallef-Grimaud
Reference Number: TDS159-26-8184
Project Title: Updating and refining skills
Amount Rewarded: €1536
Project Summary Description: Earlier last year I applied to be a part of Shakespeare’s Globe Studio in London as both an actor and director, which includes a screening process. Once accepted in both strands I now have access to the short courses and workshops provided by the Globe staff throughout the year. Through this fund I aim to attend a few acting workshops and a directing short course that would refine my skills as a director and actor in classical text. Further to refining my skills, through this fund I aim to achieve the necessary funds to update my song reel and headshots that are necessary tools in my profession which will strengthen my portfolio.

Beneficiary: Matthias Camilleri
Reference Number: TDS161-26-8213
Project Title: Advancing Contemporary Circus Practice through International Training and Artistic Exchange
Amount Rewarded: €2000
Project Summary Description: This project focuses on the continued development of my practice as a contemporary circus artist through an intensive period of training, mentorship, and professional engagement in Canada. My primary focus will be on refining my work in aerial straps, while also expanding my practice through the study of aerial pole as an additional circus discipline. Training will take place at various circus spaces in Montréal. I will work with experienced circus artists including William Bonnet, Victor Fomine, Jacinthe Tremblay, and Itzel Viruega. During this period I will also attend Montréal Complètement Cirque and the St. John’s International CircusFest, where I will assist Paige Allerton and contribute to workshops and panel discussions. The project will strengthen my artistic practice while expanding my professional network and supporting my work as a circus performer and educator in Malta and Gozo.

Beneficiary: Irene Nocella
Reference Number: TDS156-26-8169
Project Title: Participation in the B12 Summer 2026 Contemporary Dance Workshop, Germany
Amount Rewarded: €1431
Project Summary Description: This project supports my participation in the B12 Contemporary dance workshop, a high-level professional training that gathers leading European choreographers and dancers. This workshop will deepen my technical skills and my artistic development as a professional dancer and will directly contribute to the strengthening of international networks

Beneficiary: Michaela Agius
Reference Number: TDS142-26-8000
Project Title: Opera Nova Project – Summer Vocal Academy 2026
Amount Rewarded: €750
Project Summary Description: I am applying for Opera Nova’s Summer Vocal Academy 2026, an intensive professional training programme for emerging classical singers. The Academy will take place between 3rd and 11th August 2026 and consists of individual masterclasses in vocal technique, characterisation, and musical analysis, culminating in a public recital. Participants receive one-to-one training with internationally recognised artists Nelly Miricioiu, Professor Janis Kelly, and Professor James Pearson. The programme focuses on advanced operatic repertoire, technical refinement, stylistic development, and stage interpretation. This training will contribute significantly to my continued artistic development as an active classical soprano and will enhance the quality of my future performances within Malta’s cultural sector.

Beneficiary: Matias Cassar
Reference Number: TDS151-26-8126
Project Title: Classic Tailoring Techniques Short Course – UAL
Amount Rewarded: €2000
Project Summary Description: I will attend an intense Modern Tailoring course at the London College of Fashion, which focuses on a contemporary approach to classic tailoring. The curriculum teaches advanced garment construction, structuring, and fabric manipulation techniques such as pattern balance, toile creation, fit correction, and internal jacket construction. I will improve my garments shape, sewing, pressing, and intricate finishing abilities, such as collars, waistbands, and jet pockets, through lectures and hands on workshops. The training will improve my technical accuracy and problem solving skills, improving the workmanship, structure, and overall quality of my future collections while also promoting my career growth.

Beneficiary: Karl Camilleri
Reference Number: TDS162-26-8218
Project Title: Becoming. Architectures for a planet in transition
Amount Rewarded: €1925
Project Summary Description: Participation in the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 in Barcelona, an international platform organised by the International Union of Architects that brings together architects, researchers and cultural practitioners from across the world. The project involves attending lectures, thematic sessions, workshops and exhibitions focusing on sustainability, adaptive reuse, cultural heritage and the social role of architecture. This opportunity will contribute to my professional development as an architect specialising in interior architecture, heritage spaces and exhibition design. Through participation in this congress I will gain exposure to current international discourse, innovative design strategies and global networks within the architectural profession. The knowledge and professional connections developed during the congress will support the development of future architectural and cultural projects in Malta, particularly those related to sustainable design and the interpretation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings.

Beneficiary: Karl Fiorini
Reference Number: TDS111-26-7530
Project Title: Photography Film & Darkroom Short Course
Amount Rewarded: €1400
Project Summary Description: This project is a professional development programme supporting the “Validation des Acquis de l’Expérience” (VAE: Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) leading to the French “Diplôme d’État de Professeur de Musique” (State Diploma for Music Teachers), delivered by the Institut d’Enseignement Supérieur de la Musique Europe et Méditerranée (IESM Institute of Higher Education in Music, Europe and the Mediterranean) of Aix-en-Provence. Running from May to September 2026, it provides 22 hours of structured accompaniment combining collective and individual training. The programme enables candidates to understand the national diploma framework, formalise their professional experience, structure their pedagogical approach, and prepare for the final jury interview. It strengthens teaching practice, reinforces knowledge of the professional environment, and enhances recognition within the field of music education. The project contributes directly to the sustainability and quality of professional music teaching by aligning experience, pedagogy and institutional standards.

Beneficiary: Ritianne Muscat
Reference Number: TDS111-26-7530
Project Title: Photography Film & Darkroom Short Course
Amount Rewarded: €2000
Project Summary Description: This project involves participation in a short training course focused on analogue photography and black-and-white darkroom practice. The training aims to strengthen technical skills in camera handling, film development, and traditional printing processes, while supporting the development of a more confident and critically informed photographic practice.

Beneficiary: Niels Plotard
Reference Number: TDS134-26-7896
Project Title: Spaes summer school 2026 Berlin
Amount Rewarded: €1980
Project Summary Description: Niels has been invited to participate in Summer School 2026: ‘Spatial Practices and Sonic World Making’, organised by Spæs, a Berlin-based research platform dedicated to spatial audio, immersive listening environments, and experimental sonic composition.  The programme explores artistic, critical, and technical approaches to spatial sound through lectures, listening sessions, collaborative discussions, and hands-on workshops. Participants will get the opportunity to engage with different aesthetic and technical approaches to immersive sound, while experimenting with spatial audio tools and formats. The programme also features visits to key sites for sonic practice in Berlin, including Funkhaus Berlin, MSM Studios, and the Humboldt Forum Listening Room, giving participants the opportunity to experience diverse production environments and listening systems. Situated within Berlin’s dynamic spatial audio scene, the Summer School provides valuable and direct insight into the contemporary practices shaping immersive and multi-channel sound today.

Beneficiary: Karina Fiorini
Reference Number: TDS154-26-8149
Project Title: Wild Ways to Writing Mentoring Programme
Amount Rewarded: €587
Project Summary: Wild Ways to Writing is a one-to-one online co-creative mentoring programme delivered by Dr Helen Moore. The programme provides constructive and dedicated feedback to develop resilient connection with nature and the environment through poetry, via twelve assignments. Furthermore, it provides the necessary close attention at the development of poems, sharpens the process of writing through an immersive cyclical collaboration and responses through ecopoetry.

Rank Order Strand 2

Beneficiary: Chloe Holland Attard
Reference Number: TDS219-26-7922
Project Title: Professional Training at European School of Ballet
Amount Rewarded: €1955
Project Summary Description: Chloe Holland Attard is a15-year-old ballet student currently training full-time at Tring Park School for the Vocational Arts and seeks to continue to improve her technical ability and artistry in ballet. She aims for a professional career in dance and she seeks training opportunities that offer a dynamic approach to classical ballet including contemporary dance skills which are required skills in today’s dancer. This blend of dance characteristics are central to the European School of Ballet’s summer intensive, and will continue to shape Chloe as a versatile dancer. Supported by Malta Arts Council, Chloe is committed to representing Malta on international stages, contributing to the country’s cultural landscape as a ballet dancer.

Beneficiary: Michela Caruana
Reference Number: TDS213-26-7859
Project Title: Specialised intensive training in musical theatre for elite performers in the heart of London
Amount Rewarded: €1098
Project Summary Description: This specialised Musical Theatre training course in central London is designed to transform elite musical theatre students into performers ready to excel for the professional stage. Acceptance is audition-led and assessment-based in singing, acting and dancing in order to determine readiness for professional-standard training and performance work. West End Kids offers unparalleled coaching in vocal technique, dance precision and character development. Expert instruction is led by Martin Williams together with a professional team of instructors. Martin Williams is known for providing top-tier training and performance opportunities. The performance-centric approach is heavily focused on live performance. Each student will take part in a full-scale revue, providing real-world experience in front of an audience. The industry-relevant experience leaves students with a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed. West End Kids training is focused on excellence, with a proven track record and history of success and commitment to nurturing top talent.

Beneficiary: Jael Azzopardi
Reference Number: TDS230-26-8139
Project Title: Steps on Broadway Academy Pre-Professional Summer Intensive
Amount Rewarded: €1719
Project Summary Description: This project involves my participation in the Steps on Broadway Academy Summer Intensive, a two-week international dance training programme held at Steps on Broadway Dance Academy in New York City from 27 July to 8 August. The programme offers advanced professional training with internationally recognised faculty, focusing on technical development, artistic expression, and performance skills in a highly intensive environment. I was awarded a $500 scholarship and direct entry to the programme by Jennifer Kreichman during the finals of the Global Dance Open, recognising my potential as a developing dancer. Participation in this intensive will allow me to further develop my technical abilities, broaden my artistic perspective, and gain valuable exposure to international training standards. The experience will contribute to my professional development and support my continued growth within the dance sector in Malta.

Beneficiary: Luke Muscat
Reference Number: TDS224-26-8028
Project Title: Piano Course at Chetham’s International Piano Summer School
Amount Rewarded: €2000
Project Summary Description: The Piano Performance Course at the Chetham’s International Piano Summer School 2026 in Manchester, England, one of the world’s most respected piano education institution, offers students the opportunity to refine advanced technique through daily individual tuition with world class performers and pedagogues while also broadening musicianship through a variety of other specialised classes, an experience that helps young pianists to build performance confidence, offer valuable interaction with inspiring peers, and clarify future educational pathways. Taking place in CIPSS’s 25th anniversary year, the course promises a particularly rich programme, with special celebratory events complementing its already distinguished faculty and curriculum. The end of course performance will mark the culmination of an intensive week that strengthens both the applicant’s technique and artistic development.

Beneficiary: Ria Gauci
Reference Number: TDS239-26-8209
Project Title: RDS SUMMER INTENSIVE 2026
Amount Rewarded: €2000
Project Summary Description: This project supports my daughter’s participation in the RDS Summer Dance Intensive, an international program designed to enhance the training and artistic development of young dancers. The intensive will provide daily classes in contemporary dance, jazz, and ballet technique, led by experienced international teachers and choreographers. Through this opportunity, she will strengthen her technical skills, improve her performance quality, and expand her artistic expression. Training in an international environment will also allow her to collaborate with dancers from different countries, exposing her to diverse styles, teaching methods, and creative approaches. Participation in this program will contribute significantly to her professional development as a young dancer and support her long-term goal of pursuing advanced dance training and international performance opportunities. The experience will help build valuable international connections and broaden her perspective within the global dance community

Beneficiary: Lucia Vella Laurenti
Reference Number: TDS214-26-7867
Project Title: Summer Intensive
Amount Rewarded: €1619
Project Summary Description: Lucia Vella Laurenti will attend the Elmhurst Junior Summer Intensive (Birmingham, 25–27 August 2026), after successfully auditioning. The Elmhurst Summer Intensive introduces students to its training ethos through classical ballet and British repertoire, alongside contemporary and jazz. It also includes a Q&A featuring Birmingham Royal Ballet company members. She will also audition for full-time dance training at leading dance schools in Italy. Attending these workshops and auditions help Lucia to refine her technique, musicality, and discipline while building her confidence, independence, and ability to learn in a professional international environment.