The event brought together Malta’s six regional councils to explore best practices, challenges and collaborations in cultural development
Arts Council Malta (ACM) hosted a regional cultural seminar with the aim of bringing together representatives from Malta’s six regional councils to exchange ideas, address administrative and cultural challenges, and share case studies on successful initiatives within their localities.
The half-day seminar focused on strengthening collaboration between regions while promoting the principles of the Regional Cultural Strategies introduced in 2022. While serving as a platform for networking, the seminar invited participants to reflect on progress, a tool for exchange to combat marginalisation, and encourage wider public participation in cultural policy and practice.
Mary Ann Cauchi, ACM’s COO for Funding & Strategy, said: “This initiative directly addresses the strategic priorities outlined in Strategy 2025, particularly those concerning community engagement, inclusive governance, and regional empowerment. By creating a space for reflection and exchange between regional councils we are supporting the long-term vision of decentralising cultural development and fostering innovation through collaboration.
“This initiative reinforces the role of the regional council as a community of practice that integrates culture and the arts within civil society while responding to the need for long-term strategic cultural engagement at regional levels.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Honourable Alison Zerafa Civelli, noted that workshops such as this help to shape the best quality cultural development. We need to appreciate where we have come and recognise where we have gone well, recognise where we have gone wrong and see where we need to go. At the same time, we must share ideas between Regions to learn together and thus face new challenges. Civelli added that through policies and strategic plans we are bringing culture closer to the people in our localities.
The discussions explored case studies of regional best practices in cultural development and gathered reflections from regions that previously held the title of Region of Culture. They also featured presentations from regions that will be taking on this title. The programme also addressed challenges associated with the implementation of Regional Cultural Strategies and considered opportunities for collaborations with the Association of Local Councils as well as introducing a new mapping initiative designed to strengthen regional cultural planning.
This event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including officials from Arts Council Malta, representatives of regional councils from across Malta and Gozo, delegates from the Ministry for Culture, Arts, and Local Government, as well as other key contributors to regional cultural development.
For more information visit www.artscouncil.mt.
Photos: Ruben Parnis
