Duration: April 2025 – December 2028
Lead Partner: Arts Council Malta
- Project Overview
This project is a national training initiative aimed at strengthening the skills, knowledge and professional capacity of individuals working in Malta’s Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS), from public cultural organisations to freelance artists and creative professionals. Building on lessons learned from a previous ESF-funded project, this new initiative focuses on making lifelong learning more accessible, relevant and impactful across the sector.
2. Why This Project?
The CCS in Malta is dynamic but fragmented, with diverse needs across public institutions and the freelance creative workforce. Many professionals face barriers to training due to time constraints, lack of formal qualifications or limited local opportunities. This project directly addresses these gaps by:
- Upskilling the CCS’ workforce;
- Empowering freelancers and creative entrepreneurs;
- Bridging skill mismatches across the sector;
- Supporting greater inclusion, accessibility and sustainability in cultural practice.
A comprehensive Training Needs Analysis (TNA) informed the design of the programme, ensuring it responds to real challenges and opportunities within the sector.
3. What will be delivered?
(i) Training Programmes
The project will offer bespoke, accredited training in three core areas:
- Sustainability – integrating environmental, social and economic sustainability in cultural work.
- Creative Entrepreneurship – supporting artists and operators in building viable careers and business models.
- Right to Culture – promoting cultural rights, accessibility and inclusion for all.
Each thematic area will comprise 6 modules, for a total of 18 modules across the full programme. These modules are designed to reflect the training needs identified through the national Training Needs Analysis (TNA), ensuring relevance to both public sector employees and freelance cultural practitioners.
Digitalisation will be embedded across all training modules to reflect the sector’s evolving digital landscape.
Training Delivery: Participants will earn accredited certifications at MQF Levels 3, 4 or 5. The training adopts a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face sessions with online resources.
(ii) Training grants
Training grants will also be offered to support individuals working in the CCS in pursuing specialised training abroad.
Participants shall be able to attend Short Courses/Master Classes/ Conferences/Seminars/ Workshops/ Networking Overseas/Online Courses related to the CCS. Twelve specific areas (cultural events management, cultural production, cultural policy and strategy, performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, media arts, crafts, marketing, festivals, galleries/theatres, exhibitions) have been identified for training, based on the TNA review, where participants emphasised the need for technical skills in the CCS.
4. Outcomes and Impact
Expected outcomes include enhanced professional skills and knowledge among CCS practitioners, improved efficiency and modernisation of the public workforce and increased capacity for sustainable practices within the CCS.
The project aims to strengthen creative entrepreneurship skills among artists and cultural operators, foster greater awareness and implementation of cultural rights and accessibility and improve digital competencies across the sector. Ultimately, the goal is to create a more resilient, innovative and inclusive CCS in Malta.
The project represents a significant investment in the human capital of Malta’s CCS. It aims to foster long-term growth, sustainability and inclusivity in the sector, ensuring that Malta’s CCS is well-equipped to face future challenges and opportunities in an ever-evolving cultural landscape.
5. Project Partners
This cross-sector initiative brings together Malta’s leading cultural institutions, government entities and academic partners:
- Public Cultural Organisations:
Malta International Contemporary Art Space, Festivals Malta, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Mediterranean Conference Centre, National Agency for the Performing Arts, Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Fondazzjoni Kreattività, Teatru Manoel, Valletta Cultural Agency. - Government Bodies:
- Culture Directorate
- Local Government Division
- Education and Training Partners:
- MCAST – Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology
- University of Malta (Centre for Environmental Education and Research, Department of Public Policy)
- Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector
- Malta Chamber of SMEs
This project is co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus
