Arts Council, Culture minister launch theatre project Teatru Malta

A project aimed at promoting theatre - Teatru Malta - was launched by culture minister Owen Bonnici and Arts Council Malta executive chair Albert Marshall earlier today.

“Inspired by its vision to place the arts and creativity at the heart of Malta’s future, Arts Council Malta is embarking on this new project with the aim of achieving further artistic excellence through increased creative opportunities, collaborations and professional engagement in theatre,” Marshall said.

Teatru Malta is aimed at creating exciting, relevant and engaging work for various audiences across Malta and Gozo, according to a statement by Arts Council Malta.

The project, Arts Council Malta said, involves working with professionals from Malta and abroad, as well as theatre companies and the various communities in Malta and Gozo.

Arts Council Malta added that the project will not be linked to a specific building or theatre but will operate within diverse spaces and venues.

“Teatru Malta will be deeply rooted in communities and will aspire to bridge the cultural difference between Maltese mainstream theatre and the vibrant theatrical activity happening on the periphery,” Bonnici said.  

The launch was held at Pandora Theatre in Żejtun, one of 50 theatre spaces reportedly forming part of an audit commissioned by Arts Council Malta and carried by the Valletta 2018 Foundation in collaboration with the University of Malta.

“The results of the audit will support the revival and refurbishment of sites and spaces around Malta and Gozo that are currently dormant, in view of creating more venues for the practice of theatre productions, rehearsals and other performing arts related projects,” Arts Council Malta said.

Teatru Malta was announced in the Government 2016 Budget and will initially be led by Arts Council Malta.

The project is also one of the actions of the Arts Council Malta 2020 Strategy and a deliverable of the government’s electoral manifesto for culture, according to Arts Council Malta.

“In order to drive forward the vision for this project, we launched an international public call for a cultural leader who will serve as the first artistic director of Teatru Malta,” Arts Council Malta said.

The first artistic programme for Teatru Malta will be launched in 2018 as part of Valletta European Capital of Culture.