The Artists’ Residency Programme, currently taking place in Gozo, received a visit this week from the Minister for Justice, Culture and local Government Owen Bonnici, the Minister for Gozo, Justyne Caruana and Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista.

The programme is managed by Spazju Kreattiv in collaboration with the Valletta 2018 Foundation and serves as a place for artists to work on projects together with other artists, in order to deliver culture to the communities.

Through programmes such as this, there is an opportunity for an exchange of artistic ideas between local and international artists, due to the diverse artists working together on different artistic projects, explained Minister Owen Bonnici.

He remarked on how important it is to continue making culture accessible to all, even by ensuring that culture is spread within the Gozitan community.

Minister Justyne Caruana said that the Ministry is giving arts and culture their due importance in Gozo, adding that it “is committed to continue working towards a versatile and varied culture calendar, to attract diverse audiences.”

She added that, “this will also serve to improve the touristic product and create a platform for both local and foreign artists, by means of different kinds of assistance provided by the Ministry.”

“One has to ensure that Gozo is also part of the activities being prepared for Valletta 18,” Minister Caruana said. She added that, “the activity at the Artists’ Residency Programme can be considered as an important legacy of V18 for Gozo.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista commented that we are soon approaching a crucial year where Malta will be in the centre of the cultural world.

“This residence represents perfectly the artistic sector since its promoting the artists’ work irrespective of their background,” he said.

Debattista promised that together with Valletta 2018 Foundation, the Government will commit itself to increase similar artistic initiative through all Malta.

“The Artists’ Residency provides a space for encounters between artists and local communities. Fondazzjoni Kreattività will build on this initiative in the coming years to broaden its reach around Malta and Gozo, and to interact directly with diverse communities,” said Chairman of Fondazzjoni Kreattività Rupert Cefai.

This Artists’ Residency Programme saw 21 artists participating during the 2016/2017 season whilst it is expected to house 24 artists for the season 2017/2018 who would have worked on 30 projects over a period of 3 years.

These artists spend a number of weeks in this residency to work on various artistic projects and come from several countries such as Australia, USA, Jordan, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, Nigeria, Austria, England, Canada, Israel, Pakistan and Switzerland.

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