A €1.5m investment over a span of three years
Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici announced the results of the Investment in Cultural Organisations Fund, under the auspices of Arts Council Malta.
This programme offers financial assistance to voluntary organisations operating in the cultural and creative sectors for activities which will be undertaken between 2026 and 2028, with an investment of €1.5m over the span of three years.
The call was addressed to voluntary organisations registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations which have the potential to significantly contribute to the development of Malta’s cultural and creative sectors. Through this programme, eligible organisations will benefit from structured support so as to plan, develop, and implement activities aligned with the sector’s priorities.
Minister Bonnici stated, “This investment reflects the clear commitment we have to provide more stability and continuity to the cultural sector, in conformity with the commitments made during the electoral process. The programme grants voluntary cultural organisations the possibility to plan over a longer period of time, instead of being tied down by short funding cycles.
This approach also reflects the goals of Vision 2050, which places culture within a wider infrastructure which combines social development and the community’s wellbeing. A strong cultural ecosystem also depends on strong organisations which have the necessary governance and planning in place so as to operate responsibly and effectively. As such, public investment through this programme is not only addressed at activities, but also at ensuring that culture remains accessible, consistent, and based on communities across Malta.”
Arts Council Malta Executive Chairman Luke Dalli congratulated all those who are benefitting from this fund, and stated that, “the results which we are announcing today are the result of a serious and competitive process. It is a process based on clear criteria, independent evaluation, and good governance. These are applications from voluntary organisations which showed vision, commitment, and the potential to make a difference. We are looking at quality, artistic value, and the creative process.”
Dalli referred to the results and how these were determined “according to what artistic and cultural value is being proposed and not according to who is proposing it. Because a strong culture requires liberty, integrity, and maturity. We believe that a strong culture requires strong structures underpinning it. This is also an invitation. An invitation so that these organisations continue investing in collaboration and in quality. This initiative shows how cultural funding should work—transparent, merit-based, and independent from everything else.”
The call was structured across two branches, where the first branch focused on capacity building and business development, with an emphasis on the strengthening of governance, planning, and the operational sustainability of organisations. The second branch focused on the supporting of development and implementation of recurring cultural initiatives, the creation of professional opportunities for artists, and that these moreover contribute towards the continued involvement of audiences, in accordance with the applicable guidelines and regulations.
The chosen organisations represent a wide range of disciplines and approaches within the cultural and creative sectors, including theatre, dance, as well as visual arts and cultural legacy, while also strengthening principles such as diversity, the rights of artists, and governance.
For more information, including the details of the chosen organisations, visit https://artscouncilmalta.gov.mt.
