Arts Council Malta (ACM) has announced its Action Plan for 2025 in an event that was attended by Council representatives, various entities, as well as by a number of stakeholders from within the creative and artistic sectors.

The event was also marked by the launch of the ACM’s rebranding and revamped website, which coincides with the Council’s tenth anniversary this year. The past 10 years have seen the Council investing in excess of €28.3 million in an effort to grow the sector, rendering it a professional, economically-viable industry.

Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Dr Owen Bonnici stated: “Over the past 10 years this government has empowered the Council to develop a solid system of funding mechanisms that ensure easier access to resources for artists and practitioners. We also instigated several other initiatives that have further strengthened the entire sector, in line with our electoral promise to continue investing strongly in the arts and creativity.

“We launched a series of fiscal incentives for artists and the sector in general, such as a 7.5% tax rate for self-employed creatives and a 150% tax deduction for cultural donations. We facilitated young people’s access to culture through initiatives such as the Culture Pass. Now, I am proud to announce a €7 million investment in the funding programme for 2025 as we look forward towards continuing to drive the sustainable growth of the sector.”

A Transformative Journey with a Bold Approach

The launch of the Council in 2015 marked the beginning of a transformative journey for the sector, spurred by an ambitious vision inspired by the European arts scene.

ACM Chair Albert Marshall stated: “When I took over the role back in 2014, the cultural landscape in Malta was in its early stages of development. The main focus was on organising festivals and national celebrations. The idea of governing the cultural sector with a strategic and comprehensive approach was still a concept waiting to take shape.

“By observing and learning from international practices, we embraced an outward-looking and bold approach, moving away from the insular and introspective tendencies of the past. We recognised the need for dedicated focus areas, so we created specialised directorates to address the diverse needs of the sector.”

Commenting about milestone moments from this past decade, Marshall – singled out:

● The creation of national performing arts companies’ Kor Malta, Teatru Malta, Żfin Malta. The National Agency for the Performing Arts (NAPA) has been established to house these entities under one roof.

● The establishing of Festivals Malta as an independent entity to focus exclusively on festivals.

● Full support to artists and organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

● Increased arts funding and a comprehensive CRM system to streamline operations.

● The joining of global networks such as IFACCA and EUNIC, alongside participation in international events such as the Venice Biennale after an absence of 17 years and the London Design.

● Concrete steps to safeguard Malta’s artistic heritage by acquiring band clubs and supporting traditional feasts.

● Introducing EU-funded regional strategies to guide cultural growth across Malta.

● The launch of the Right to Culture pack to foster community engagement in the arts.

● The launch of the Status of the Artist Charter.

● The legal protection of artistic freedom.

● Sectoral collaboration with various organisations to promote cultural partnerships.

● Tax reductions for artists and incentives for cultural donations were introduced to support the creative sector.

● Training and development opportunities for creatives.

● The conducting of surveys and studies on the arts sector, offering recommendations to improve education and working conditions.

● Celebrating achievements and promoting excellence through the Premju għall-Arti.

A Strategic Response to the Rapidly Shifting Landscape

The strategic rebranding serves to reinforce the ACM’s role in Malta while reflecting its adaptability in the cultural ecosystem, and underscoring the myriad achievements and evolution of the sector throughout the past decade, as supported by the Council itself.

Luke Dalli, ACM Chief Operations Officer, stated: “The decision to rebrand stems from the Council’s recognition of the rapidly changing cultural and creative landscape, as well as the need to modernise its identity to align with contemporary values and strategic goals. This rebranding exercise reflects the Council’s commitment to tackling industry challenges, championing cultural rights, and establishing itself as a forward-thinking leader in Malta’s creative community.”

The exercise, he added, aligns seamlessly with the Council’s strategic priorities and commitment to cultural rights, emphasising inclusivity, diversity, and the participation of all citizens in arts and culture, with the rebranding acts as a visual and conceptual representation of the mission to embed arts at the heart of Malta’s future.

“With a refreshed identity, we aim to resonate with contemporary audiences and encourage broader participation in Malta’s cultural and creative sectors. Ultimately, the process also ensures we align with international trends, keeping Malta’s cultural narrative modern, sustainable, and globally relevant.”

The Fulfilment of Strategy 2025

As Strategy 2025 nears its fulfilment, a number of areas will be taking priority during the coming months, all focusing on fostering growth and inclusivity in alignment with the principles laid out in Strategy 2025.

MarycAnn Cauchi, Chief Operations Officer for Funding & Strategy stated: “Strategy 2025 is soon to be implemented, and we are ready to take culture and creativity to new levels. In fact, this year, Arts Council Malta will be conducting consultations for Strategy 2030. Consultations for Strategy 2030 are also underway. A key priority is improving artists’ working conditions through the Charter for the Status of the Artist, and promoting inclusion also remains central, as is the integration of arts into healthcare and therapeutic environments.”

Other key areas include:

Advocating for the Charter for the Status of the Artist to protect rights, improve conditions, and ensure fairness in cultural sectors.

● Promoting cultural rights as universal through campaigns, media, and stakeholder consultations.

● Mapping cultural assets to inform regional cultural strategies.

● Providing updated cultural statistics to enhance policymaking and audience insights.

● Collaborating with education entities to promote arts careers and integrate arts into STEAM.

● Partnering with public entities for sustainable, cross-sectoral cultural policies.

● Assessing accessibility in public cultural venues for physical, intellectual, and linguistic needs.

● Promoting arts in health through collaborations and intersectoral policies.

● Steering the Sectoral Representative Working Group towards regular strategic consultation

23 Funding Schemes, Including 5 New Ones

Cauchi also explained how the ACM this year will oversee a robust portfolio of 23 funding schemes and 35 calls, addressing key areas including education, internationalisation, media (encompassing film, newspapers, and radio), artistic heritage, entrepreneurship, project development, capacity building, community and regional projects, as well as health and wellbeing.

The list includes five new schemes alongside changes to some of the existing schemes. Highlights include:

The Arts Support Scheme – one of the most popular programmes – will see the introduction of a wellbeing objective for the thematic call.

● The Access Support Scheme, previously a complementary measure for other funded projects, will now operate as a stand-alone call. It will be open to applicants aiming to carry out independent projects centred on accessibility.

● The Screen Support Scheme will see significant growth with Strands 1-5 reissued in March, and increased funding. A new strand focusing on the internationalisation of local films will be introduced. The International Cultural Exchanges Scheme will also support projects by Malta-based artists in foreign countries.

● ACM and ARC Research and Consultancy Ltd will jointly introduce a scheme intersecting the cultural, health, and care sectors, supported by the European Commission’s Creative Europe platform through the CultureAndHealth initiative.

● A new scheme will offer financial assistance to local parishes for organising internal feasts.

● The Training and Development Support Scheme and the International Participation Scheme will be the first calls issued in 2025, each featuring two calls during the year.

In order to guide prospective applicants, Arts Council Malta offers a brokerage service and online information sessions so as to ensure clarity and support at every step.

New International Cultural Relations Directorate Launched

ACM has also officially launched the International Cultural Relations Directorate, dedicated to expanding Malta’s cultural footprint globally. While internationalisation has long been a cornerstone of the council’s work, this new directorate aims to consolidate and enhance efforts to showcase Maltese artistic talent through prestigious international platforms.

Annabelle Stivala, Executive Head of the new directorate, stated: “The directorate’s primary mission is to promote Maltese artists and Malta’s identity on the world stage. This year, it will allocate additional funding and increase opportunities for local artists to exhibit and perform internationally. Beyond financial support, the directorate is committed to providing the tools and resources artists need to thrive globally. These initiatives strengthen Malta’s cultural diplomacy, fostering mutual respect and understanding between nations.”

Leveraging the momentum of past achievements, including Malta’s participation in the Venice Biennale and the London Design Biennale, the directorate has already expanded its reach by securing a space at the prestigious Gwangju Biennale in South Korea, Asia’s leading contemporary art event.

Another significant initiative for 2025 is a plan to exhibit past works from Malta’s participation in Venice and London, bringing these acclaimed pieces to Maltese audiences.

Looking to the Future

As ACM continues to focus more strongly on its role as an agent for the national development of creativity and culture, it renews its commitment to further support the growth of a new generation of creative operators and cultural organisations, equipped to learn new technologies, embrace them, apply them, and push their boundaries. All this will be achieved through strong engagement in creative partnerships, by building connections between communities, businesses, and institutions and by working to raise awareness of the benefits that creativity and culture bring.

The vision outlined for 2025 underscores this unwavering commitment to fostering a cultural environment where creativity and innovation thrive, positioning Malta as a global leader in creative excellence over the next decade.

For more information, check out ACM’s revamped website on artscouncil.mt

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