Arts Council Malta (ACM) has published the results of the Malta Arts Fund Special Call issued during April 2020, whereby a total of €75,000 has been awarded to 11 applicants.

The call was launched specifically to address the financial impact the pandemic is having on creative and cultural practitioners, groups and organisations. An overwhelming 95 submissions were received.

"The government is fully committed towards the sustainability of the culture and creative sectors. Over the past weeks, as a Ministry, we have taken various measures and introduced different initiatives to ensure that these sectors are adequately supported during these unprecedented times. It is positive that various creative and cultural practitioners, groups and organisations have made their submissions for this call and we look forward to see these projects materialise," said Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government José Herrera.

"The special call attracted an overwhelming response unlike anything that the ACM has experienced before, with many artists and practitioners leaping at the opportunity to see the creation and materialisation of their ideas through this funding. ACM is extremely encouraged to see the creative and cultural sectors reacting in such a positive manner to the circumstances we are all facing. The response has shown that we are fortunate to have a very proactive sector," Mary Ann Cauchi, Director of Funding and Strategy at Arts Council Malta, said.

All applicants have been offered detailed feedback with their result notification letter. Those whose projects were not awarded will be provided with the necessary guidance so as to help them improve the original pitch and possibly resubmit the proposal under one of the other funding calls available.

Awarded projects have all been notified, with ACM committing to the immediate signing of agreements. In a departure from the normal funding process, the disbursement process will take place with more immediacy, with beneficiaries receiving their funding in next few days. Beneficiaries will receive 70% of their funding in a matter of days.

For a detailed list of successful applicants to the Special Call, visit:

https://www.artscouncilmalta.org/pages/guidance-advice/covid-19/malta-arts-fund-special-call/

For a list of available funding schemes, visit: https://www.artscouncilmalta.org/pages/funds-opportunities

For Covid-19 updates, visit: https://www.artscouncilmalta.org/pages/guidance-advice/covid-19/

For further guidance, send an e-mail to [email protected].