Published on Thursday 11 November 2021

As part of the government’s renewed commitment towards the creative and cultural sectors, Arts Council Malta has launched the Seat Utilisation Scheme for 2021-2022, aimed at supporting artists, organisers and producers in view of the unprecedented challenges which the creative and cultural sectors are facing due to the ongoing consequences stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Seat Utilisation Scheme has been developed to assist cultural and artistic events to take place between December 2021 and December 2022. The Seat Utilisation Scheme is open for those events falling within the scope outlined in the “Standards for safer organised controlled (seated) events taking place in an enclosed area”, as published by the Maltese Health Authorities. Beneficiaries would also need to satisfy the eligibility criteria outlined in the Scheme Guidelines and Regulations.

The Scheme will enable compensation for seated ticketed events which would have to operate below full seating capacity due to public health restrictions. The compensation will be equal to the difference between the ticket sales in circumstances without public health restrictions and the ticket sales with the current public health restrictions (which may vary over time). This will be calculated with a capping of €15 per ticket for each seat, up to a maximum of 350 seats and a maximum of 3 events.

This Scheme may cover up to 100% of the cost, up to a maximum of €15,750 per applicant.

The grant is open to Maltese (or applicants in possession of a Malta residence permit; or of a Maltese citizenship certificate; or of a Maltese passport) creative professionals / artists, entities registered with the Malta Business Registry (including companies, partnerships, foundations and organisations / associations), groups, collectives and consortia, registered cooperatives or Voluntary Organisations enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisation.

The Seat Utilisation Scheme will be split in 7 calls covering distinctive months as outlined on the Guidelines and Regulations document published by Arts Council Malta.

For more information contact Arts Council Malta on 2334 7230, on weekdays, between 09:00 and 16:00, or send an email on fundinfo@artscouncil.mt or visit https://www.artscouncilmalta.org/pages/funds-opportunities/funding-schemes-2022/seat-utilisation-scheme/