Published on Friday 24 November 2023

List of recommendations to be integrated within campaign to fulfil Strategy2025 pillars.

A landmark study commissioned by Arts Council Malta and focusing on arts education across the Maltese Islands has just been unveiled, offering an in-depth look into the current state and future potential of arts education in Malta. Titled A Review of Arts Education in Malta up to School-leaving Age, the report provides a critical evaluation of various schools and educational levels in Malta and Gozo.

The study’s findings focus on three main areas:

  • Instruction time for arts education, which varies by school type and level, with more prominence in independent and arts-specialised schools. State primary schools show inconsistent exposure to the arts, and in middle schools, arts subjects are generally limited to half the academic year.

 

  • Impact of COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted arts education, leading to changes in teaching methods and reduced access to specialised facilities. Peripatetic arts teachers were often reassigned, impacting the availability of arts education.

 

  • Arts facilities in formal education, where considerable variation was found across schools. Most have adequate resources, but issues like outdated instruments and inadequate spaces are more prevalent in performing arts, particularly dance.


Mary Ann Cauchi, Director Funding & Strategy at Arts Council Malta, stated that the commissioning of this report aligns with the commitment that the Council has taken with respect to strengthening the presence of the arts in the educational framework, shaping a sustainable future for Malta's cultural sector. “It's a crucial step in ACM’s strategic journey to support and develop arts education and will undoubtedly prove to be an essential tool in shaping the future of our cultural and creative landscape.”

Adrian Debattista, Head of Strategy, emphasised that education is a cornerstone of Strategy2025. "This approach not only spans from early childhood to lifelong learning but also fosters collaboration between cultural operators and educational institutions. Prioritising and facilitating continuous career development in the arts and with the arts isa strategic priority which is fundamental towards the long-term flourishing of the artistic ecosystem and wider social wellbeing”.

Nikki Petroni, Education & Development Executive, reiterated the need to prioritise public investment in accessible, high-standard arts education programmes. “Arts Council Malta is dedicated to nurturing a robust educational framework that supports the arts, one which can foster an inclusive, dynamic, and innovative learning experience. This focus is integral to our strategic vision for Malta's creative future."

The research, which was conducted by Prof. Raphael Vella, Dr Maria Brown, Dr Karsten Xuereb, and Ms Liliya Cauchi, took place during the 2021-2022 academic year and sought to understand how well the values and objectives set in policy documents and curricula for arts education are reflected in the actual practices and infrastructure of the educational sector.

The researchers noted that the report presented a cornerstone for understanding arts education in Malta and Gozo: “The exercise has uncovered crucial insights into the state of arts education. The report includes 50 recommendations that we hope will pave the way for future investment and policy development in arts education, aiming for long-term, sustainable impact."

The recommendations are aimed at policymakers, school heads, teachers, cultural organisations, and higher educational institutions. Arts Council Malta will be announcing an arts career campaign aimed to address the findings and the list of recommendations. The campaign is part of a continued drive to ensure that Strategy 2025 is fulfilled across all pillars.

Download the Arts Education report from here