The Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, launched Arts Council Malta’s Action Plan for 2024. He described this year as a year of investments, initiatives, and programmes by the Arts Council Malta (ACM) with the aim of implementing the National Cultural Policy.
“This year, the various schemes will contribute towards an investment of around €5 million in the cultural and creative sectors, addressing a wide audience, including individual artists, creative practitioners, groups, voluntary organisations, registered entities, and co-operatives,” stated Minister Bonnici.
The Minister announced that a total of 27 funding schemes will be launched, including three new initiatives: the Apprenticeship Scheme, the Regional Cultural Cooperation Programme, and the Film and TV Support Scheme.
“The strategic success enjoyed by ACM has resulted from bold and fruitful collaborative efforts with a wide range of stakeholders, both in the public sector and with artists and cultural operators, whose dynamism, creativity, and innovation have enriched the sectors substantially over the past few years. The 2024 Action Plan will see ACM continuing to play a central and vital role in investment, advocacy, and support, empowering and facilitating these improvements that are crucial to healthy cultural sectors,” concluded Minister Bonnici.
Albert Marshall, ACM Executive Chairman, referred to the Council’s continued commitment to promoting innovation among Malta’s cultural and creative sectors. He also mentioned the unprecedented increase in government investment in the sectors, a bolder Maltese presence within the international artistic community, and stronger local and international partnerships.
Mary Ann Cauchi, ACM Director of Funding and Strategy stated that the Council is continuing its endeavours to ensure that more people benefit, both directly and indirectly. She mentioned that through campaigns, initiatives, and collaborations, the Council will continue to implement its strategic aims and fulfil its mission of furthering creative entrepreneurship.
2024 will also be a very exciting year for Internationalisation, bringing with it Malta’s continued participation at La Biennale Di Venezia with a national pavilion devised by artist Matthew Attard titled I Will Follow the Ship, among other events, including the opening of the London Design Biennale 2025 Malta Pavilion Call.
Locally, ACM’s series of initiatives, webinars, and information sessions will continue, with the addition of Kunsillkafè, a new relaxed concept aimed at promoting dialogue and discussion.
