Launch of the Artistic Development programme made up of four specific schemes amounting to €800,000

Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici launched an Artistic Development programme, managed by Arts Council Malta, made up of four specific schemes to enhance the development of artistic talent and communities for both local and international platforms.

The four schemes, amounting to €800,000, include the Project Research and Development Scheme, the Project Support Scheme, the International Cultural Exchanges Scheme and the Kultura TV Scheme.

While addressing a press conference, Minister Bonnici explained that this programme is essential in developing the cultural and creative sector as these schemes will help several new artists to improve their talent.

“We will continue to invest in our culture; we will also continue to support the creative and cultural sectors whereby more artists are being given the opportunity to enhance their talents,” said Minister Bonnici.

On behalf of Arts Council Malta, Mary Ann Cauchi, director of Funding and Strategy emphasised the need for these support schemes, aimed at enabling artistic excellence and community development as part of Arts Council Malta’s strategy towards achieving this goal.

The Project Research and Development

Scheme enables individuals, groups and organisations to plan, develop, be represented in and deliver on Arts Council Malta’s strategic goals and ongoing strategy, primarily addressing creative professionals and communities by nurturing creative potential and supporting its development by encouraging cocreation, collaboration and experimentation. The scheme aims to invest in artistic excellence by encouraging levels of creative risk, investigation and active engagement of communities – supporting quality projects, identifying talent and encouraging its development.

The International Cultural Exchanges Scheme forms an integral part of the Internationalisation Strategy for Malta's cultural and creative sectors. It addresses international cultural exchanges, focusing specifically on the outgoing mobility of Maltese and Malta-based artists over 18 years of age and their artworks and artistic productions. This scheme aims to assist Malta-based artists when pursuing activities overseas.

The Project Support Scheme is one of Arts Council Malta’s tools for individuals, groups and organisations, whereby it encourages the active involvement of communities, while also promoting and supporting diversity, inclusiveness and development within the community.

The KulturaTV scheme supports developing ambitious quality-driven audio-visual programmes with a potential for international distribution. The aim is to incentivise and enhance quality arts and cultural television programming on private broadcasting stations in Malta. Projects may include the production of original dramas, innovative, creative documentaries and cultural programmes. The scheme aims to support the translation of original Maltese literature and scripts to any other language, including subtitling, transcription and captioning – for film, creative documentaries, plays, TV dramas, animation, performance scripts, librettos and video art.

For more information kindly contact Arts Council Malta on 2334 7230, weekdays between 9am and 4pm, send an email to fundinfo@artscouncil.mt or visit artscouncil.mt