{"id":308,"date":"2025-01-06T13:55:44","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T13:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artscouncil.abcnow.xyz\/?page_id=308"},"modified":"2026-04-15T11:18:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T09:18:31","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/artscouncilmalta.gov.mt\/en\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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We are
Arts Council Malta<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Arts Council Malta (ACM) is the national agency for development and investment in the cultural and creative sectors. Its principal task is to fund, support and promote Malta’s Cultural and Creative sectors.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The Council manages a funding portfolio for the cultural and creative sectors through its national funding programmes.<\/p>\n

Arts Council Malta\u2019s Strategy 2025, titled \u201cCare, Create, Flourish\u201d<\/em>, has been a forward-looking framework that placed cultural rights at its core. Rooted in Malta\u2019s National Cultural Policy 2021 and aligned with international frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and UNESCO\u2019s recommendations on the Status of the Artist, the strategy envisions a future where the arts are central to Malta\u2019s development. The vision is for \u201cthe arts to be at the heart of Malta\u2019s future,\u201d while the mission is to invest in artistic and cultural expression, support the sector\u2019s sustainability, and ensure that everyone has the right to participate in cultural life. Key instruments to achieve the aims of strategy consisted of the Charter for the Status of the Artist and the Rights to Culture campaign.<\/p>\n

The strategy is built around six strategic areas: (1) Public Investment, (2) Diversity and Communities, (3) Education and Development, (4) Internationalisation, (5) Creative Entrepreneurship, and (6) Research and Evaluation. Each area is supported by specific objectives and a set of actions designed to foster a thriving cultural ecosystem. These areas reflect a holistic approach to cultural policy, addressing both the needs of artists and the wider community.<\/p>\n

Under Public Investment, the Council aims to ensure that funding mechanisms are transparent, inclusive and aligned with sectoral needs. The objective is to empower artists and cultural operators through sustainable financial support. Diversity and Communities focuses on increasing access to the arts, particularly for underrepresented groups and promoting cultural participation across all regions and demographics. The goal is to foster inclusion and social cohesion through community-led initiatives.<\/p>\n

The Education and Development area emphasises the importance of lifelong learning and skills development in the arts. Objectives include strengthening arts education in schools, supporting professional development and encouraging collaboration between educational institutions and cultural organisations. Internationalisation seeks to enhance Malta\u2019s cultural presence globally by supporting mobility, international collaborations and cultural diplomacy. This area aims to position Malta as an active player in the global cultural landscape.<\/p>\n

The fifth area, Creative Entrepreneurship, is dedicated to improving working conditions, promoting innovation and supporting the professionalisation of the sector. Objectives include addressing the status of the artist, encouraging entrepreneurship and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration. Finally, Research and Evaluation focuses on evidence-based policymaking, improved data collection and the effective communication of evaluatory processes. This area supports the strategy\u2019s implementation through robust monitoring and analytical mechanisms.<\/p>\n

The strategy outlines numerous actions. They are designed to be participatory, inclusive and responsive to the evolving needs of the sector. The Council emphasises collaboration with stakeholders, including public cultural organisations, independent practitioners and the general public, to ensure that the strategy remains relevant and impactful.<\/p>\n

In essence, Strategy 2025 has acted as a dynamic roadmap that builds on past achievements while addressing contemporary and foreseeble challenges. Chief among the challenges addressed were the social restrictions and economic limitations, as well as digital openings, raised by the COVID-19 pandemic and the various responses to it. It has aimed to create a resilient, inclusive and internationally connected cultural sector that has contributed meaningfully to Malta\u2019s social, economic, and cultural well-being.<\/p>

Its span of 2020 \u2013 2025 is followed Strategy 2030. The new\nstrategy builds on Strategy 2025 with an aim to further nurture positive action\nwithin renewed vision and vigour.<\/o:p><\/p>\n

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Our vision<\/span><\/p>

We want the arts to be at the heart of Malta\u2019s future<\/p>

Our mission for the next five years<\/span><\/p>

Driven by our commitment to cultural rights, we invest in the arts to strengthen Malta\u2019s creative and cultural ecology.<\/p>

Guiding principles\u2028<\/span><\/p>

Our plans and actions to deliver our vision and implement our mission are guided by 10\u2028principles which aim to:<\/p>

  1. Champion the advancement of the status of the artists, and cultural and creative practitioners.<\/li>
  2. Value and position the diversity of artistic and cultural expression, access and participation as integral to Malta\u2019s wider cultural and creative ecology.<\/li>
  3. Nurture cross-sectoral synergies at local, national and international levels to recognise arts and culture as essential for the well-being of all.<\/li>
  4. Integrate active and participatory citizenship to ensure sectoral and public representation in our decision- making processes.<\/li>
  5. Support education, capacity building, professional development and knowledge exchange to empower people to flourish in their cultural and creative practice..<\/li>
  6. Build and strengthen strategic partnerships, collaborations and networks nationally and internationally to enable further opportunities for artists and practitioners.<\/li>
  7. Support sectors through proactive public engagement that is accessible, efficient and informed, using minimal bureaucracy.<\/li>
  8. Foster an evidence-based approach to have research, evaluation and debate inform our decisions and actions.<\/li>
  9. Embrace culture as a pillar of sustainable development in terms of its sustainability and interlinkages with the social, economic and environmental dimensions of well-being.<\/li>
  10. Recognise cultural infrastructure and international cultural relations as integral to the long-term advancement of Malta\u2019s cultural and creative sectors.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    On 12 May 2015, the Maltese Parliament approved a new legal structure for ACM by means of Act 15 of 2015, which denotes ACM\u2019s duty to develop and promote Malta\u2019s cultural and creative sectors nationally and internationally via all forms of creative expression, as well as to increase public access to arts and culture.<\/p>

    Arts Council Malta\u2019s objectives are to:<\/p>

      1. Advocate and be a strategic leader and catalyst for Malta\u2019s cultural and creative sectors by implementing strategies that focus on:
        a. Knowledge-based cultural and creative development,
        b. Education and training,
        c. Intelligence and data building,
        d. Business development, funding and investment,
        e. Diversity and communities, and
        f. Internationalisation.<\/li>
      2. Promote innovation in the cultural and creative sectors and stimulate a creative ecosystem for the generation of contemporary creative content.<\/li>
      3. Initiate, develop and promote strategies, programmes and initiatives to enhance sectoral performance.<\/li>
      4. Act as a broker for the cultural and creative sectors and a bridge with other sectors.<\/li>
      5. Promote intellectual property in the cultural and creative sectors.<\/li>
      6. Ensure the development of a sustainable creative economy.<\/li>
      7. Enable and promote the sustainable development of creative individuals and organisations.<\/li>
      8. Facilitate participation in and access to cultural and creative activity.<\/li>
      9. Foster active and participatory citizenship in culture and promote cultural inclusion, equality, diversity and the freedom of creative expression.<\/li>
      10. Increase the understanding, appreciation, enjoyment and expression of culture.<\/li>
      11. Safeguard the dynamic development of those cultural characteristics, including intellectual, linguistic, traditional and folkloric, that identify the Maltese people.<\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol>

        Read the Act\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        The Corporate Affairs directorate provides all the support services for the effective and efficient functioning of Arts Council Malta, the Public Cultural Organisations as well as Initiatives falling under ACM\u2019s remit.<\/p>

        The Directorate guides all the procurement and HR matters to ensure that the Council\u2019s work is in line with Government Policies and Procedures.<\/p>

        The Directorate works hand in hand with all the units of the Council to pursue the Council\u2019s growth and the achievement of the country\u2019s cultural strategy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        Public Cultural Organisations share a common objective to invest public funding in culture and the arts to foster creativity, social well-being and economic activity.<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Our legal remit entrusts us with the responsibility to strengthen the organisations listed as Public Cultural Organisations (PCOs). We are also required to assess and monitor the strategies, financial estimates and financial records of PCOs. This, together with continuous improvement in methods of data gathering, will contribute towards the building of a knowledge base that will assist and inform PCOs in their decision-making.<\/p>

        While acknowledging increased public investment in Public Cultural Organisations over a number of years, we need to invest public funding responsibly and effectively. Malta\u2019s flagship cultural entities require increased human and technical resources to address the demanding requirements of a fast-moving sector. We will be leading a network of all Public Cultural Organisations to increase inter-PCO collaboration and to share resources and expertise. We will also work with each PCO to develop a yearly plan and strategy that reflects the goals and targets set out in the 2020 strategy.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Festivals Malta<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>

        Malta Philharmonic Orchestra<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>

        Mediterranean Conference Centre<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>

        MICAS<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>

        National Agency for Performing Arts:<\/span><\/p>

        KorMalta<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>

        Teatru Malta<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>

        ZfinMalta<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>

        Pjazza Teatru Rjal<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>

        Spazzju Kreattiv<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>

        Teatru Manoel<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>

        Valletta Cultural Agency<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        Dr. Luke Dalli <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Executive Chairman<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Dr. Luke Dalli is a warranted Maltese lawyer and strategic leader with a diverse background in legal practice, cultural governance, and public administration. In June 2025, he was appointed Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta, marking a new chapter in his long-standing commitment to supporting the arts and cultural development in Malta.<\/p>

        With over a decade of legal and executive experience, Dr. Dalli has played a pivotal role in shaping the legal and operational framework of the Arts Council Malta. He joined the Council in 2014 as Legal Officer and later served as Head of Legal for a ten-year period, during which he led contract negotiations, safeguarded institutional interests in litigation, and advised on regulatory compliance and strategic governance. In 2024, he was appointed Chief Operations Officer, overseeing finance, human resources, public procurement, and stakeholder engagement. His contributions helped solidify the Council\u2019s national role as a central institution for the arts and culture sector.<\/p>

        Dr. Dalli is also the Founder and Managing Partner of DalliParis Advocates, a boutique law firm established in 2017 that provides corporate consultancy, regulatory advisory services, and litigation support to a wide range of private and public clients. His legal expertise spans civil and commercial law, public procurement, employment law, financial regulation, and intellectual property rights. He is an accredited lawyer with the World Intellectual Property Organisation and certified in Anti-Money Laundering law by the International Compliance Association.<\/p>

        Throughout his career, Dr. Dalli has held a number of advisory and board positions, including Chairman of the Central Cooperatives Fund, Board Member of the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport, and Member of the Local Government Steering Committee. He has also served in governance roles within the Malta Football Association, contributing to disciplinary and regulatory frameworks in the national sporting landscape.<\/p>

        In addition to his legal and administrative work, Dr. Dalli has a longstanding passion for community and cultural engagement. He is a founding member of the Lija\/Iklin Amateur Football Club and FROLIC Theatre Group, and previously served as Events & PR Director of Mdina Knights Football Club. His early career included roles in educational tourism with EF Language Schools, where he was recognized as one of the Top 100 EF Leaders in Europe.<\/p>

        Dr. Dalli earned his Doctorate in Laws (LL.D.) from the University of Malta in 2013, following a Diploma in Notary Public and a Bachelor of Laws with Italian. He is fluent in Maltese, English, Italian, and French, and holds advanced certifications in ICT and legal technology.<\/p>

        As Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta, Dr. Dalli brings together a deep understanding of legal systems, public policy, and cultural dynamics to lead the Council into its next phase of strategic growth, innovation, and international collaboration.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        We are Arts Council Malta Arts Council Malta (ACM) is the national agency for development and investment in the cultural and creative sectors. Its principal task is to fund, support and promote Malta’s Cultural and Creative sectors. Our Profile The Council manages a funding portfolio for the cultural and creative sectors through its national funding […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-308","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/artscouncilmalta.gov.mt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/308","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/artscouncilmalta.gov.mt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/artscouncilmalta.gov.mt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artscouncilmalta.gov.mt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artscouncilmalta.gov.mt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=308"}],"version-history":[{"count":214,"href":"https:\/\/artscouncilmalta.gov.mt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/308\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16240,"href":"https:\/\/artscouncilmalta.gov.mt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/308\/revisions\/16240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/artscouncilmalta.gov.mt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=308"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}