National Conference Discusses Future Of Arts Education

Arts Council Malta, as part of the Ministry for Culture, the Lands and Local Government, in collaboration with the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, recently held the “Shaping the Future: National Arts Education Conference”. This national event brought together key stakeholders, educators, artists and cultural practitioners from Malta and several European countries to discuss the future of arts education and the creation of a National Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts.

The conference, held at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) in Paola, focused on strengthening Malta’s educational ecosystem in the arts. Its aim was to develop a coherent framework that reflects the country’s cultural aspirations and supports a long-term vision for creativity and learning. The programme included keynote speeches, the presentation of position papers by several Maltese institutions and a panel discussion featuring international experts from across Europe.

The Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, emphasised the government’s commitment to building a strong arts education system. He explained that such a system is essential for nurturing a creative generation capable of critical and sustainable thinking, while contributing positively to society. Dr Bonnici noted that, guided by the Malta 2050 Vision, collaboration between government, educational institutions and the cultural sector will help create new opportunities for young people to develop their creative skills and confidence.

The Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Clifton Grima, also underlined the importance of the arts in developing a holistic society. He stated that the government is working to expand an education system that encourages creativity and artistic expression as key parts of personal development. He added that the conference demonstrates Malta’s ongoing investment in creative learning as a core component of the education system.

Luke Dalli, Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta, described the initiative as part of the Council’s long-term strategy to professionalise the cultural and creative sectors. He stressed that the conference was a major step towards ensuring universal access to culture and supporting sustainable careers for artists.

A keynote address was delivered by Professor Helena Gaunt, Principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. The event concluded with a panel moderated by Dr Giuliana Fenech, which explored how European models of arts education are evolving to meet modern cultural and social needs.

For more information, visit https://artscouncilmalta.gov.mt.

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Photo Source: DOI – Clifton Fenech