Arts Council Malta
Arts Council Malta (ACM) is the national agency responsible for development, investment and promotion of Malta's cultural and creative sectors (CCS). Established in 2015, ACM plays a strategic role as both leader and advocate for the arts in Malta, with a mandate to foster knowledge-based cultural growth, enhance education, drive innovation, and expand public access to the arts.
With Strategy2020, ACM laid the foundation for sectoral growth by aligning its goals with Malta’s artistic community through extensive consultations, culminating in a roadmap of 70 deliverables to nurture creative potential, promote artistic excellence, encourage international exchanges, and enable accessible engagement with the arts. The Council’s funding portfolio, guided by key priorities such as public investment, internationalisation, creative entrepreneurship, education, and diversity, has supported a wide range of funding programmes and initiatives, driving growth across Malta’s cultural landscape.
The Council's role extends beyond funding, acting as a vital link between cultural organisations and public institutions. It manages strategic partnerships with 11 key artistic organisations, including Valletta Film Festival and Mediterranean Literature Festival, which highlight ACM’s role in embedding arts and culture at the heart of Malta’s society. ACM also fosters international cultural exchange, playing a pivotal role in events like the Seventh World Summit on Arts and Culture (2016) and the European Capital of Culture designation for Valletta (2018).
The Council’s current strategic plan for 2021-2025, managed by the Funding and Strategy Directorate, is underpinned by guiding principles that value artistic diversity, promote sustainable cultural growth, and support cross-sectoral partnerships. Through an accessible, research-informed approach, ACM champions the arts as essential to Malta’s social, economic, and environmental well-being.
In pursuit of a thriving cultural future, ACM’s vision is for the arts to be at the core of Malta’s societal growth. The Council actively supports a creative ecosystem where artists and cultural practitioners can flourish, backed by a brokerage team that assists sector operators in enhancing their potential through ACM’s €7 million funding portfolio, spread across 15 funding schemes. With a commitment to building long-term, evidence-based cultural infrastructure, Arts Council Malta is dedicated to positioning the arts as a vital pillar of Malta’s future.
In line with its vision, ACM also leads its "Right to Culture" initiative, a community-focused effort that ensures that cultural rights are accessible and inclusive across Malta's diverse communities. Focused on breaking down barriers to cultural participation, this initiative promotes inclusivity and representation in the arts, enabling all individuals to explore and express their unique cultural identities. Developed through consultations with community groups, cultural practitioners, and human rights organisations, "Right to Culture" addresses the needs of underserved communities and supports a wide range of community-based cultural activities.
ACM is also committed to bridging the gender gap in cultural participation, including addressing the digital gender divide. Through "Right to Culture”, ACM promotes digital literacy and empowerment initiatives tailored for women in the CCS, enhancing access to both physical and digital cultural spaces. By advocating for cultural rights policies and integrating these priorities within Malta’s cultural strategy, ACM strengthens its role in fostering an inclusive, equitable cultural landscape that values diversity and empowers individuals to participate fully in the arts.
