Il-Premju għall-Arti nominees announced
Arts Council Malta has announced the list of nominees for the first edition of Il-Premju għall-Arti, the national arts awards which celebrate the achievements of the cultural and creative sectors.
The award acknowledges excellence in artistic work premiered during the preceding year and are unique in their focus on culture and the arts.
“These awards celebrate the best artistic work in the country at a time when culture has never been so vibrant,” said Culture Minister Owen Bonnici at the Nominees Night, which was held at the Phoenicia Grand Ballroom on Friday evening.
The nominees – spread over eight categories – were selected by a jury of sectoral experts and Arts Council Malta representatives from the nominations submitted through an open call. The winners of these categories as well as three other awards - the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Ambassador of the Arts and the People’s Choice Award will be announced at the Awards night, which will be held on 23 March at Teatru Manoel.
The categories – which include Best Project in the Community, Best International Achievement, Young Artist of the Year and Best Creative Enterprise - were selected according to Arts Council Malta’s strategic priorities as outlined in the Council’s Strategy2020, its five-year plan for the cultural and creative sectors.
The Awards covers projects, productions or activities in the cultural and creative sectors which have been premiered or presented between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017.
Winners will receive a prestigious award, a sculpture in glass and ceramic, by Maltese artist Kane Cali.
The Awards are set to become a yearly appointment for artists and all those involved in the cultural and creative sectors. “We are working so that these Awards provide a reference point for excellence across the sector,” said Arts Council Malta acting chairman Annabelle Stivala. “This is another way in which we encourage and recognise excellence in the cultural and creative sectors.”
Meanwhile, the public will also have the opportunity to reward their preferred artistic production of the year through the People’s Choice award. Voting instructions and nominees are available on www.artscouncilmalta.org. Voting can be done online or by telephone.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
BEST PROJECT IN THE COMMUNITY Aħdar id-Deżert Opening Doors Association
EQUALITY IN MUSIC Radio Valo Team, Down Syndrome Association Setting up our social enterprise Nicholas Agius Darba Waħda Anna Formosa B’Tal-linja Jaqbillek Żgur Sean Buhagiar
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT From Home with Love ŻfinMalta Dance Ensemble Vengeance Gordon Calleja Charlene Farrugia’s international performance Charlene Farrugia Malta. Land of Sea Heritage Malta Symphony No. 3 ‘Eroica’ by Ludwig van Beethoven The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
BEST WORK FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES Pietru u l-Lupu The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Fanfare Family Concert The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Ineż Kienet Perf(etta) Studio 18 Shakespeare in pieces Teatru Manoel Shakeshorts presents A Midsummer’s Night Dream Chris Dingli
BESTARTISTICPROGRAMMEORSEASON ŻiguŻajg Arts Festival for Children and Young People 2016 Fondazzjoni Kreattività The Valletta Film Festival 2017 The Film Grain Foundation The Malta Jazz Festival 2017 Festivals Malta The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Concert Season 2016-2017 The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Toi Toi Education Programme - Season 2016-2017 Teatru Manoel
BEST CREATIVE ENTERPRISE Fablab Valletta Anvil Game Studios MARIE GALLERY 5
YOUNG ARTIST OF THE YEAR Luke Zammit Stefan Calleja Isaac Lucas Laura Buhagiar Matthew Schembri
ARTIST OF THE YEAR Luke Zammit Mikhail Basmadjian Moveo Dance Company Mallia, Diane Portelli) Jonathan Dunn (Dorian
PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR Magic Mouse Luke Zammit Diaspora Contact Dance Company Venus in Fur Masquerade Theatre Company The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie MADC Symphony No. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven, Europe Day Concert The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra