Arts Council Malta (ACM), together with the Malta Society of Arts (MSA), is announcing a call for artists for the second residency within the MSA’s Palazzo de La Salle titled ‘Variations on Emergence’. Building on the success of the inaugural programme, where two emerging Maltese artists participated in a mentoring experience throughout 2024, the call is now open.
The residency is a result of a collaboration that was launched by ACM and MSA last year. This initiative, which included an investment of €30,000, aims to support artists’ professional development, while also strengthening culture and creativity in Malta.
Mary Ann Cauchi, Arts Council Malta’s Chief Operations Officer for Funds and Strategy, stated that: “Thanks to these initiatives, the Council is reiterating its commitment to support local artists and to ensure that they receive the recognition and resources needed so that they can succeed in their creative projects. This collaboration confirms the Council’s commitment to create an environment which encourages artistic innovation and growth, according to the principles established in the 2025 Strategy.”
MSA President Adrian Mamo declared: “The second residency is expected to once more reap creative fruits which allow the public to interact with the works of the chosen artists. The process highlights the individual path each artist takes during their residency while fostering dialogue and improving access to the arts.”
During their residency, artists Claire Farrugia and Alex Weenink embarked on a creative journey that began in April and concludes this month. This experience provided them with a unique platform to explore, create, and contribute to Malta’s cultural landscape, all while benefiting from the guidance and mentorship of established professional artists.
Farrugia, who specialises in visual art, said: “L-idejn Imgħaref tal-Fidda” explores the undervaluation of care labour, often invisible despite its essential role in caregiving and household management, as it produces no tangible outcomes in a society that prioritises measurable results. The installation uses fleeting hand shadows to highlight this absence, juxtaposed against the celebrated artworks in the MSA’s permanent collection in order to critique the neglect of unseen labour. Situated within the sacred space of Palazzo de La Salle’s Chapel, my installation evokes divinity as shadows interact with religious iconography, specifically Inglott’s abstraction of the sacred heart of Jesus, where light symbolises divinity, and shadows draw attention to the overlooked. The six-month residency provided a unique space to experiment, reflect, and collaborate, fostering the evolution of ideas and enabling experimentation with new media through financial and creative support.”
Weenink, who focuses on performative arts, stated that: “Resident Failure, which is a self-satirical performance-lecture featuring multimedia artworks displayed throughout the Palazzo, reflects my journey as an emerging artist during this residency, while exploring themes of identity and expression. Despite grappling with failure, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt, the experience proved inspiring and transformative, offering valuable workshops, events, and opportunities. Most importantly, it provided the time and space to reflect, explore, and grow in my artistic identity, process, and skills.”
The call for the 2025 Residency will once more be subject to a rigorous and competitive selection process, designed to identify artists with a distinctive vision and the potential to grow while making meaningful contributions to their field.
For more information, visit www.artscouncil.mt and www.artsmalta.org/whats-on.
Submitting ...
Saving ...
Any applications related to this entity, will also be automatically deleted.
