Arts Council Malta Unveils Ambitious Action Plan for 2024

Jan 25 2024

The Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, launched Arts Council Malta’s (ACM) Action Plan for 2024. Describing the upcoming year as a period of substantial investments, initiatives, and programs, Minister Bonnici emphasised ACM’s commitment to implementing the National Cultural Policy.

The centrepiece of this initiative is a significant financial commitment, with approximately €5 million earmarked for funding schemes and educational programs targeting diverse segments of the cultural and creative sectors. Minister Bonnici highlighted that the funds will benefit a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including individual artists, creative practitioners, groups, voluntary organisations, registered entities, and cooperatives.

A key aspect of the Action Plan is the introduction of 27 funding schemes, including three innovative initiatives: the Apprenticeship Scheme, the Regional Cultural Cooperation Programme, and the Film and TV Support Scheme. These programs aim to foster growth, collaboration, and innovation within the cultural and creative industries.

Minister Bonnici acknowledged the successful collaborative efforts that have propelled ACM to its current strategic success. He emphasised the vital role ACM plays in investment, advocacy, and support, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to empowering and facilitating improvements crucial to the health of Malta’s cultural sectors.

Albert Marshall, ACM Executive Chairman, affirmed the Council’s dedication to fostering innovation within Malta’s cultural and creative sectors. Marshall celebrated the unprecedented increase in government investment, a more prominent Maltese presence in the global artistic community, and strengthened local and international partnerships.

On the other hand, Mary Ann Cauchi, ACM Director of Funding and Strategy, highlighted the Council’s ongoing efforts to ensure that a wider audience benefits directly and indirectly from their initiatives.

Looking ahead, 2024 promises to be an exciting year for internationalisation, marked by Malta’s continued participation at La Biennale Di Venezia with a national pavilion curated by artist Matthew Attard titled “I Will Follow the Ship.” Additionally, ACM will play a pivotal role in the opening of the London Design Biennale 2025 Malta Pavilion Call.

On the local front, ACM’s commitment to knowledge dissemination and community engagement will continue through a series of initiatives, webinars, and information sessions. A noteworthy addition is “Kunsillkafè,” a novel concept aimed at fostering relaxed dialogues and discussions within the cultural community.

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Brit Awards 2024 Nominations: WHo’s Rocking The Music Scene?

Jan 25 2024

This year’s Brits nominees list have been revealed ahead of the ceremony in London in March. With Raye leading the list with 7 nominations, a record breaking number for a singular artist in a single year.

J Hus and Central Cee follow Raye’s accomplishment with four nominations each, whilst Blur, Calvin Harris, Little Simz, and four time winner Dua Lipa – one of the first stars to be revealed as one of the performers for the night – are all up for three awards.

The award ceremony will be held on the 2nd of March 2024 and will be broadcasted on ITV1 and ITVX.

So, which categories are these much-adored artists nominated for?

Here are some of the stand – out categories:

Some Nominees for Album of the Year ; Blur’s The Ballad of Darren , J Hus’ Beautiful and Brutal Yard and RAYE’s My 21st Century Blues whereas fan favourites Dua Lipa, RAYE, Fred Again and Little Simz are nominated for Artist of the Year.

Jungle, Blur, Young Fathers have been rightfully nominated for Group of the Year

Fresh new artists Mahalia, PinkPantheress, and RAYE are some of the nominees for Best New Artist.

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Keeping Kids Active With Skip A Rope For Fitness Campaign

Jan 25 2024

A recent study reveals that a notable percentage of Maltese children are not meeting recommended daily physical activity levels.

The Institute for Physical Education and Sport (IPES), in collaboration with the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR), initiated an experimental project called SkaRF – Skip a Rope for Fitness in 2023.

Led by Professor Andrew Decelis, the project aimed to teach rope skipping to primary school learners at San Gwann Primary School, improving fundamental movement skills, fitness, and reducing sedentary time.

In the first phase, Year 4 learners participated, with two classes as an experimental group and two as a control group. The second phase involved Year 5 learners, including the initial control group, who received skipping ropes and engaged in daily 15-minute sessions, encouraged to practice during breaks and outside school hours.

Initial analysis showed improved skills and confidence in the experimental group. The project plans to provide skipping ropes for all learners in the next phase and extend the initiative to other schools, with the ultimate goal of fostering skipping confidence in all primary school students. Funding for the project is being sought for further development.

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70 Kilometres Of New Underground Cables Being Set Around Malta

Jan 25 2024

The implementation of the government’s plan to accelerate the reinforcement of the country’s electricity infrastructure is advancing rapidly, with several projects currently underway in twelve localities and in many other localities starting soon. As part of this extensive investment, Enemalta is collaborating with Infrastructure Malta, Transport Malta, and many local councils to add more than 70 kilometres of new underground 11-kilovolt cables to the national grid in the coming months.

The roadwork to lay these cables started towards the end of last month. The three entities are currently coordinating works in Dingli, Mtarfa, Mosta, Naxxar, Kirkop, Zurrieq, Bormla, Żabbar, Kalkara, Gudja, Ta’ Qali, and Xgħajra. Other workers will be mobilised to start network upgrades in several other localities in Malta and Gozo in the coming weeks. Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works Chris Bonett, and Dingli Mayor Raymond Schembri met some of the 100+ workers engaged on these projects during a visit to ongoing cable laying works in Dingli.

Minister Miriam Dalli reminded that last summer, the government pledged to double its 2024 investment in Malta’s electricity infrastructure to continue improving the quality of electricity services to families and businesses and to meet the requirements of climate change and future demand. “Enemalta, Infrastructure Malta, and Transport Malta are pooling resources to add a record length of new cables to the network within a few months, almost four times as many kilometres of cables as those added in the last two years.

This important reinforcement is creating more alternative connections between different parts of the country, reducing the risk of supply disruptions to our customers, while facilitating quicker restoration when difficulties arise,” Minister Dalli said. “Together with other ongoing and upcoming projects, including new distribution centres and substations, this investment will contribute to more reliable electricity services,” she added.

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