FAQs
What is the objective of the Malta Arts Fund?
The Malta Arts Fund aims to support artists in taking creative risks to develop new work through research, experimentation and collaboration. The newly-redesigned Malta Arts Fund is divided into three main strands: Research Support Grant, Project Support Grant and Multi-Annual Grant.
What is the difference between the three strands of the Malta Arts Fund?
What is the Project Support Grant looking for?
This strand focuses on the development and production of an artistic project which has innovation, quality and artistic development as a primary aim. This strand encourages projects aiming at boosting artistic development, nurturing experimentation and innovation, engaging and developing audiences as well as attracting new audiences while creating experiences based on principles of excellence.
What makes my project ineligible?
Projects will first be screened in terms of eligibility. Ineligible proposals shall not be processed further and shall not undergo evaluation. For a full list of ineligible conditions, please refer to the guidelines and regulations.
On what basis will my application be assessed?
The Evaluation Board will base its decision upon four criteria:
What does the evaluation procedure involve?
Eligible applications will be assessed by an Evaluation Board made up of independent evaluators according to established criteria, where each criterion is allocated a number of specific marks. In order to be considered for funding, projects have to obtain an average of at least 60 marks. Nevertheless, the evaluation session and funding decisions depend on the quality of the submitted proposals and on the availability of the funds. Therefore obtaining 60 marks or more does not automatically mean that you will be awarded the funds. The Evaluation Board may decide not to allocate the total funds available for a particular call if the proposed projects do not reach the required level in terms of the fund criteria. A pitching session will also be organised for all candidates.
What is expected from the applicants during the pitching session?
The aim of the pitching session is to create an opportunity for applicants to further introduce their projects to the expert evaluators in person. The project applications will have already been reviewed by the evaluators before the pitching session. During the session, the project team should expand on the already submitted project description with comments, latest insights and additions. The pitch can be presented in a variety of formats but should not be longer than five (5) minutes.
Do I need to set up a company in order to benefit from the Grant?
There is no need to set up a company in order to apply for any grant of the Malta Arts Fund. Individuals, groups and/or organisations can apply for funding.
Is there a limit on the project expenses in the budget?
There is no limit on the project expenses that are listed in the budget, however the applicant cannot ask for more than 80% of the costs and these costs cannot exceed €20,000. The applicant needs to specify how will the rest of the expenses be covered by alternative sources of funding (such as crowdfunding, private sponsors, own contribution etc.).
Is there a minimum amount of funding which can be considered?
There is no minimum amount of funding that you can apply for.
If I am collaborating with foreigners in the project, can I include travel and accommodation costs in the budget?
Yes, you may include travel and accommodation costs in the budget for collaborating artists from abroad.
Can we collaborate with Public Cultural Organisations?
Yes, you are encouraged also to seek collaboration with a PCO (i.e. a Public Cultural Organisation) in your project. The PCOs are Teatru Manoel, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Spazju Kreattiv, Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Fondazzjoni Valletta 2018 and Żfin Malta.
Do I need official quotations annexed to my application form?
Yes, you are requested to attach quotations and any relevant supporting documentation to your application form. This includes quotations for all of the expenses quoted in your budget and confirmation letters of collaborators in your project.
How can I submit an application?
Applications may be submitted through the online form: https://www.artscouncilmalta.org/funds/malta-arts-fund/project-support-grant
How many application deadlines are there each year for the Project Support Grant?
There are 3 application deadlines each year for the Project Support Grant. Deadlines can be found on the ACM website and also on the guidelines. For 2018, the deadlines are:
I applied previously but did not get funded. Can I re-apply?
Yes you can apply again, however you are advised to revise and improve upon your application based on the feedback received from ACM before resubmitting.
My project will have an income from sales of tickets. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, you are still eligible to apply. The planned income from ticket sales and from any other source needs to be included in the budget under the income section. If awarded, the grant will cover the difference between 80% of the costs and the planned income.
Can the income include in-kind contributions from the applicant or from anyone else?
Yes, but these have to be supported by relevant documentation and also included under both the income and the expenses sections in the budget, as explained in the Budget Guidelines on the website.
By when do I need to implement the project if I get funded?
The Project Support Grant has to be implemented within 18 months, and the project implementation dates need to be provided in the application form.
If a festival hosts my project and provides the performance venue and accommodation for free, do these have to be listed in the budget?
In the case where the cost of a venue is not disclosed by the host, the venue can be considered to be provided free of charge. The venue should be still listed in the budget and its amount set to zero. In any case, the applicant must specify what is the role of the host in the collaboration, and its level of artistic merit in your project.
Is any preference given to any specific art form?
There is no preference given to any particular art form, as long as the application proposes a high-quality artistic project which has innovation, quality and artistic development as a primary aim.
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