Arts Council Malta, as part of the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government, together with the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, organised a conference titled ‘Shaping the Future: National Arts Education Conference’—a national conference which brought together stakeholders, educators, and cultural practitioners from Malta and a diverse number of European countries.
During the conference, the future of education in the arts and the development of the National Academy of Visual and Performative Art in Malta were discussed, with the aim of building a stronger and more uniform educational ecosystem which reflects the cultural aspirations and longterm vision of the country.
The conference was organised by The Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology, MCAST in Paola, with a new programme including speeches, the presentation of documents on the position of a diverse number of institutions, and a panel composed of international practitioners and leaders in the educational and cultural fields. The speakers and participants had the opportunity to take another look at the challenges, opportunities, and necessary investments in order for a sustainable, future-oriented framework to be built for the creative and educational sectors in Malta.
Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici declared that: “It is crucial to build a system which offers a strong artistic education so that, as we had promised in our electoral manifesto, we will be able to foster a creative generation capable of thinking critically and sustainably, while significantly contributing to society. With this aim in mind, we are strengthening collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and cultural sectors. Through the direction offered by Malta Vision 2050, we are creating a unified approach which leads to further opportunities, and which offers youths the skills and confidence to develop their creative potential.”
Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima emphasised the importance that arts education has in the formation of a creative and holistic society. “We are working to continue building an educational system which provides space for creativity and artistic expression as part of the personal development of each student. Through collaborations such as those offered by this conference, we will be creating further opportunities for youths to explore and develop their talent. This conference is clear proof of the government’s commitment to continue investing in creative teaching and the arts as an integral part of the education system in Malta.”
Arts Council Malta Executive Chairperson Luke Dalli said, “This collective initiative reflects the Council’s strategic commitment towards the professionalisation of cultural and creative sectors. This conference continued to assist in the laying down of a path towards the universal accessibility of culture as a fundamental right of every student and citizen. We are working so that we will build structures to strengthen artists and practitioners in this sector so that they are able to develop sustainable careers, while also ensuring that the arts remain open, inclusive, and relevant for all communities. This conference is a significant step towards creating a longterm vision for cultural education which truly reflects the social and creative realities of Malta.”
The conference started with a keynote speech delivered by Prof Helena Gaunt, Principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, followed by a presentation of position documents by key institutions, among these being the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Arts Council Malta, the Cultural Directorate, the Maltese School for Visual and Performative Art (MVPA), Mikiel Anton Vassalli College (MAVS), the MATSEC Board of Examinations, as well as a diverse number of University of Malta and MCAST departments.
The panel, chaired by Dr Giuliana Fenech, offered a space for the exchange of experiences and ideas between representatives of some of the most respected institutions in the artistic education sphere in Europe. Among the international speakers there were Christoph Lang, Rector of the F+F School of Art and Design in Zurich; Kaarlo Hildén, Rector of the University of Arts in Helsinki; Prof Karolina Šantl Zupan, Dean of the Academy of Music at the University of Ljubljana; Dr Lisa Peck, Senior Lecturer of Theatre and Performance Practice at the University of Sussex; and Dr Sharon Watson, Chief Executive and Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. The panel also discussed how European art education models are evolving to keep up with everyday creative, cultural, and social needs.
This conference is part of the ongoing research and consultation process regarding the establishment of the National Academy of Visual and Performative Art, [FJaCSA1] a strategic initiative which is found in the National Education Strategy 2024-2030. The conference was open for all educators, artists, cultural leaders, policymakers, researchers, and students who wish to contribute to the future of arts education in Malta.
For more information visit https://artscouncilmalta.gov.mt
