Education Minister Louis Galea said the Malta School of Art was truly an incubator for Maltese artists and has given Malta some of the best artists that the country can boast of.

Dr Galea was speaking during a visit to the Malta School of Art at Casa Brunet, its premises in Old Bakery Street, Valletta, during an open day.

The Malta School of Art was established in 1926, in Casa Tessi, now Casa Brunet. The school’s main function at the time of its foundation was to serve as an academy for Malta to substitute small classes spread around the island.

Since then it has served as the incubator for nearly all the generations of Maltese artists of the 20th century. Artists who have attended the school of art include Antoine Camilleri, Frank Portelli, Emvin Cremona and Anton Inglott.

The open day was held in order to showcase the work of students who were at the school during the last academic year as well as to promote the school to prospective students for the next intake. The school is open to all ages, from teenagers to pensioners, offering courses in the mornings and evenings.

The School of Art is the only fine art institution in Malta and thus plays a fundamentally important role in the educational/artistic development of the Maltese people. The school is primarily a practice-based institute which is fundamental for the artistic formation.

Minister Galea said that the School of Art has given Malta some of the best artists that we can boast of and although much more could be achieved, a lot of good work is being done by the school.

Dr Galea said the government wants to see more being done by schools to nurture creativity, skill and talent in the arts, drama, dance, and music. He said that in the amendments to the Education Act currently being discussed in Parliament, the government is emphasising the need that the new college networks will, from an early age, provide programmes and activities of arts, music, drama and sport in order to bring out the skills, talents and various capabilities of students.

Minister Galea also pointed out that as from next September, the School of Art, the School of Music and the Drama Centre will be networked into a College of Arts. This college will allow for cross-disciplinary interaction and further development of cross-disciplinary courses. The network of schools will also provide resources to other colleges and through good networking links should provide support for initiatives and activities in the creative and artistic fields.

Dr Galea praised the school for promoting Maltese artistic talent locally and internationally by supporting its students to create quality exhibitions and participate in international courses and artistic events and happenings.

Courses at the School of Art are divided into two groups: fine arts and traditional crafts. Fine arts courses exist in ‘O’ level, ‘A’ level art, diploma in fine art, painting, sculpture, creativity and enrichment in art, fine art print-making and history of art. Traditional crafts courses exist in gilding, silversmith, and wood/stone carving. The school also offers a specialised art library service.Education Minister Louis Galea said the Malta School of Art was truly an incubator for Maltese artists and has given Malta some of the best artists that the country can boast of.

Dr Galea was speaking during a visit to the Malta School of Art at Casa Brunet, its premises in Old Bakery Street, Valletta, during an open day.

The Malta School of Art was established in 1926, in Casa Tessi, now Casa Brunet. The school’s main function at the time of its foundation was to serve as an academy for Malta to substitute small classes spread around the island.

Since then it has served as the incubator for nearly all the generations of Maltese artists of the 20th century. Artists who have attended the school of art include Antoine Camilleri, Frank Portelli, Emvin Cremona and Anton Inglott.

The open day was held in order to showcase the work of students who were at the school during the last academic year as well as to promote the school to prospective students for the next intake. The school is open to all ages, from teenagers to pensioners, offering courses in the mornings and evenings.

The School of Art is the only fine art institution in Malta and thus plays a fundamentally important role in the educational/artistic development of the Maltese people. The school is primarily a practice-based institute which is fundamental for the artistic formation.

Minister Galea said that the School of Art has given Malta some of the best artists that we can boast of and although much more could be achieved, a lot of good work is being done by the school.

Dr Galea said the government wants to see more being done by schools to nurture creativity, skill and talent in the arts, drama, dance, and music. He said that in the amendments to the Education Act currently being discussed in Parliament, the government is emphasising the need that the new college networks will, from an early age, provide programmes and activities of arts, music, drama and sport in order to bring out the skills, talents and various capabilities of students.

Minister Galea also pointed out that as from next September, the School of Art, the School of Music and the Drama Centre will be networked into a College of Arts. This college will allow for cross-disciplinary interaction and further development of cross-disciplinary courses. The network of schools will also provide resources to other colleges and through good networking links should provide support for initiatives and activities in the creative and artistic fields.

Dr Galea praised the school for promoting Maltese artistic talent locally and internationally by supporting its students to create quality exhibitions and participate in international courses and artistic events and happenings.

Courses at the School of Art are divided into two groups: fine arts and traditional crafts. Fine arts courses exist in ‘O’ level, ‘A’ level art, diploma in fine art, painting, sculpture, creativity and enrichment in art, fine art print-making and history of art. Traditional crafts courses exist in gilding, silversmith, and wood/stone carving. The school also offers a specialised art library service.