Through collaboration between the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, the Ministry for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government, Malta Enterprise and ARTZ ID, an initiative has been launched which will foster the growth of the creative visual arts community within the Cordin Business Incubation Center (KBIC).
This initiative will offer semi-industrial spaces in KBIC for creative artists so that they can develop business-related projects. In addition, the artists will be offered mentoring that will help them further develop their idea on a commercial level.
The Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici claimed that this initiative will continue to promote the creative community of visual arts, which in recent years has continued to grow and strengthen in the entrepreneurial field.
“This collaboration will offer opportunities to artists and art professionals, including access to renting space at KBIC, professional guidance from ARTZ ID and exhibitions. This will facilitate the improvement of skills, artistic development, knowledge sharing, networking, collaboration and creative inspiration between local artists,” stated Minister Bonnici. He concluded by saying that the Government believes in the potential of the creative economy and this collaboration will continue to strengthen the commitment in this regard.
Minister for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects Silvio Schembri emphasized the significance of this initiative where they are offering an opportunity for art as an enterprise.
“In recent years we have seen a significant growth in jobs in the creative sector, from 3,065 in 2013 to 7,187 in 2023. We are offering this opportunity to artists, echoing the success achieved by individuals such as Marco Parascandolo, a Maltese product that started from an idea within KBIC and today has established itself on a commercial level. We know that starting a business is challenging, and therefore we want to support individuals to fulfill their dreams,” repeated Minister Schembri.
Minister Schembri also mentioned various schemes offered by Malta Enterprise for start-ups, such as the B.Start Scheme, Start-up Finance, and Micro Invest Scheme. He also mentioned the Venture Capital Fund, a fund of €10 million in equity to local entrepreneurs who come forward with innovative ideas or who are looking to develop their product for a commercial purpose. “We believe in innovative technologies, research, development, and innovation to create new horizons and new economic sectors. This is what we are doing, and this is how we will continue to see it done,” concluded Minister Schembri.
Kurt Farrugia, Chief Executive of Malta Enterprise, emphasized the interconnectedness of art, business, and enterprise, and stated, “The first impression may be that art, business, and enterprise are separate fields, with different philosophies, knowledge, methods, goals and thinking. However art and enterprise have fundamental characteristics in common. We encourage artists to come forward and take advantage of these services and the space we are offering at KBIC.”
Maria Galea, Director of ARTZ ID stressed that this collaboration will facilitate the integration of the visual contemporary art sector in the space being offered at KBIC. “We have created a program of initiatives, both of spaces that will be for creatives, as well as a program that will encourage mentorships, exhibitions, that integrate not only the artists but the people who work in this sector,” she concluded.
