Heritage Malta said that over 3,200 applications were submitted for the Malta Biennale 2026, by artists wishing to participate in the second edition of the international contemporary art platform. The Call for Artists closed last Monday.

The applications submitted for the second edition exceed in number by almost 30%, what Heritage Malta received for the first edition held in 2024.

The applications, which originated from 122 countries, across five continents, will go through a selection process to determine which proposals will form part of the main exhibition of the Malta Biennale, which is being held under the artistic direction of Rosa Martínez.

The second edition of the Malta Biennale will take place in museums and historical sites around the Grand Harbour – in Valletta and in Birgu, as well as in Xaghra and the Citadel, Gozo.

The Malta Biennale garnered international success in its inaugural edition, placing Malta on the global contemporary art map through widespread press coverage in international newspapers and magazines which praised the Maltese art platform. The first edition was held under the patronage of both UNESCO and the President of Malta.

Heritage Malta said that the Biennale’s second edition, which will also be held across several museums and historical sites managed by Heritage Malta, from March, the 11th to May, the 29th, 2026, has already received the patronage of the President of Malta. The title of the Malta Biennale 2026 is: Clean | Clear | Cut (Tnaddaf | Tgharraf | Tferraq).

The President of the Malta Biennale and Chairman of Heritage Malta, Mario Cutajar, said that the first edition already positioned the Malta Biennale in an advantageous international position, and that given the increased number of artistic proposals submitted, together with the general interest being shown, it was clear that the second edition would strengthen the prestige of the contemporary art platform.

He proceeded to explain that the Malta Biennale would remain grounded in dialogue that unites the past and the present by looking to history for inspiration. “After all, it is this dialogue that creates a connection between our historical sites and new audiences, making them more relevant to our times and our context.”

The Call for Artists to participate in the main exhibition of the Malta Biennale 2026, is the first out of a total of three calls, to have closed. All the calls were launched last March. The Call for Satellite Events is still active and will close on July the 25th, while the Call for Pavilions will close on August, the 29th.

The Malta Biennale is organised by Heritage Malta, in partnership with Arts Council Malta and in collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government, and with Visit Malta.

Photo: Heritage Malta

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