Arts Council Malta (ACM) has announced its Action Plan for 2025 in an event that was attended by Council representatives, various entities, as well as by a number of stakeholders from within the creative and artistic sectors.
Il-Kunsill Malti għall-Arti (KMA) ħabbar il-Pjan t’Azzjoni tiegħu għall-2025 f’avveniment li għalih attendew bosta rappreżentattivi mill-Kunsill, minn entitajiet diversi u kif ukoll numru ta’ partijiet interessati mis-setturi kreattivi u artistiċi.
The event was also marked by the launch of the ACM’s rebranding and revamped website, which coincides with the Council’s tenth anniversary this year. The past 10 years have seen the Council investing in excess of €28.3 million in an effort to grow the sector, rendering it a professional, economically-viable industry.
Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Dr Owen Bonnici stated: “Over the past 10 years this government has empowered the Council to develop a solid system of funding mechanisms that ensure easier access to resources for artists and practitioners. We also instigated several other initiatives that have further strengthened the entire sector, in line with our electoral promise to continue investing strongly in the arts and creativity.
“We launched a series of fiscal incentives for artists and the sector in general, such as a 7.5% tax rate for self-employed creatives and a 150% tax deduction for cultural donations. We facilitated young people’s access to culture through initiatives such as the Culture Pass. Now, I am proud to announce a €7 million investment in the funding programme for 2025 as we look forward towards continuing to drive the sustainable growth of the sector.”
The launch of the Council in 2015 marked the beginning of a transformative journey for the sector, spurred by an ambitious vision inspired by the European arts scene.
ACM Chair Albert Marshall stated: “When I took over the role back in 2014, the cultural landscape in Malta was in its early stages of development. The main focus was on organising festivals and national celebrations. The idea of governing the cultural sector with a strategic and comprehensive approach was still a concept waiting to take shape.
“By observing and learning from international practices, we embraced an outward-looking and bold approach, moving away from the insular and introspective tendencies of the past. We recognised the need for dedicated focus areas, so we created specialised directorates to address the diverse needs of the sector.”
Commenting about milestone moments from this past decade, Marshall – singled out:
The strategic rebranding serves to reinforce the ACM’s role in Malta while reflecting its adaptability in the cultural ecosystem, and underscoring the myriad achievements and evolution of the sector throughout the past decade, as supported by the Council itself.
Luke Dalli, Chief Operations Officer, stated: “The decision to rebrand stems from the Council’s recognition of the rapidly changing cultural and creative landscape, as well as the need to modernise its identity to align with contemporary values and strategic goals. This rebranding exercise reflects the Council’s commitment to tackling industry challenges, championing cultural rights, and establishing itself as a forward-thinking leader in Malta’s creative community.”
The exercise, he added, aligns seamlessly with the Council’s strategic priorities and commitment to cultural rights, emphasising inclusivity, diversity, and the participation of all citizens in arts and culture, with the rebranding acts as a visual and conceptual representation of the mission to embed arts at the heart of Malta’s future.
“With a refreshed identity, we aim to resonate with contemporary audiences and encourage broader participation in Malta’s cultural and creative sectors. Ultimately, the process also ensures we align with international trends, keeping Malta’s cultural narrative modern, sustainable, and globally relevant.”
As Strategy 2025 nears its fulfilment, a number of areas will be taking priority during the coming months, all focusing on fostering growth and inclusivity in alignment with the principles laid out in Strategy 2025.
MarycAnn Cauchi, Chief Operations Officer for Funding & Strategy stated: “Strategy 2025 is soon to be implemented, and we are ready to take culture and creativity to new levels. In fact, this year, Arts Council Malta will be conducting consultations for Strategy 2030. Consultations for Strategy 2030 are also underway. A key priority is improving artists’ working conditions through the Charter for the Status of the Artist, and promoting inclusion also remains central, as is the integration of arts into healthcare and therapeutic environments.”
Other key areas include:
Cauchi also explained how the ACM this year will oversee a robust portfolio of 23 funding schemes and 35 calls, addressing key areas including education, internationalisation, media (encompassing film, newspapers, and radio), artistic heritage, entrepreneurship, project development, capacity building, community and regional projects, as well as health and wellbeing.
The list includes five new schemes alongside changes to some of the existing schemes. Highlights include:
In order to guide prospective applicants, Arts Council Malta offers a brokerage service and online information sessions so as to ensure clarity and support at every step.
ACM has also officially launched the International Cultural Relations Directorate, dedicated to expanding Malta’s cultural footprint globally. While internationalisation has long been a cornerstone of the council’s work, this new directorate aims to consolidate and enhance efforts to showcase Maltese artistic talent through prestigious international platforms.
Annabelle Stivala, Executive Head of the new directorate, stated: “The directorate’s primary mission is to promote Maltese artists and Malta’s identity on the world stage. This year, it will allocate additional funding and increase opportunities for local artists to exhibit and perform internationally. Beyond financial support, the directorate is committed to providing the tools and resources artists need to thrive globally. These initiatives strengthen Malta’s cultural diplomacy, fostering mutual respect and understanding between nations.”
Leveraging the momentum of past achievements, including Malta’s participation in the Venice Biennale and the London Design Biennale, the directorate has already expanded its reach by securing a space at the prestigious Gwangju Biennale in South Korea, Asia’s leading contemporary art event.
Another significant initiative for 2025 is a plan to exhibit past works from Malta’s participation in Venice and London, bringing these acclaimed pieces to Maltese audiences.
As ACM continues to focus more strongly on its role as an agent for the national development of creativity and culture, it renews its commitment to further support the growth of a new generation of creative operators and cultural organisations, equipped to learn new technologies, embrace them, apply them, and push their boundaries. All this will be achieved through strong engagement in creative partnerships, by building connections between communities, businesses, and institutions and by working to raise awareness of the benefits that creativity and culture bring.
The vision outlined for 2025 underscores this unwavering commitment to fostering a cultural environment where creativity and innovation thrive, positioning Malta as a global leader in creative excellence over the next decade.
For more information, check out ACM’s revamped website on artscouncil.mt