Published on Tuesday 12 July 2016

11 organisations and festivals active in the cultural and creative sectors have been selected to become Arts Council Malta’s strategic partners during the years 2017-19.

11 organisations and festivals active in the cultural and creative sectors have been selected to become Arts Council Malta’s strategic partners during the years 2017-19.

Between them, these entities will receive a total of over one million euro through the Cultural Partnership Agreement during the coming three years. In return, they will be required to further the Council’s strategic aims as laid out in the Strategy2020. The results were announced by Toni Attard, Director of Strategy, following a competitive call for proposals.

“The Agreement will provide a stable support for organisations to plan ahead, grow, develop and deliver ACM’s strategic goals, primarily addressing creative professionals and communities,” said Arts Council Malta’s chair Albert Marshall.

“Not only is this the implementation of another measure as announced in Budget 2016 but it is also an important milestone in the strategic development of the cultural and creative sectors,” said Culture Minister Owen Bonnici. “By allowing cultural entities to plan ahead strategically, we are paving the way for the further professionalization of the sector.” 

Following a rigorous screening process by Arts Council Malta representatives, the following organisations were selected: the META Foundation; Teatru Salesjan; Opening Doors Association; BLITZ and Kinemastik.

The selected festivals are: The Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival organised by Inizjamed; the Malta Short Film Festival organised by the Malta Film Foundation, the designers’ component of the Malta Fashion Week, the Valletta Film Festival organised by the Film Grain Foundation, L-Għanja tal-Poplu and the Beland Music Festival. 

From film to literature, from contemporary art spaces to community theatres, from fashion to the performing arts, the selected festivals and organisations offer a broad range of activities as well as geographical breadth. Between them, they number thousands – both in terms of volunteers as well as audiences. The organisations plan to use their funds to employ full-timers, to improve artistic quality, to develop audiences. 

Most have ongoing relationships with Public Cultural Organisations such as Spazju Kreattiv and Pjazza Teatru Rjal, ensuring that the latter also strengthen their artistic programmes. Beneficiaries of the fund will be required to undergo a training and mentoring programme organised by the Council.  

The Cultural Partnership Agreement is the latest funding programme to be announced by Arts Council Malta. Mr Marshall added: “With their long-term commitment that spans 2018 and beyond, these agreements pave the way for a lasting legacy for the European Capital of Culture, in line with the aims of Strategy2020.”

View the results here.