The Action Plan for 2025 of Arts Council Malta has been launched, the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government stated.

The plan was announced during an event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the council's establishment. The Ministry stated that the event also marked the launch of the council's rebranding, as well as an updated website.

For 2025, the Ministry stated that Arts Council Malta has a number of initiatives planned, including 23 financing schemes with an investment of €7 million. It added that the council has invested more than €28 million during the last 10 years, with the investments having been done in an effort to grow the art sector and make it a professional and economically viable industry.

Minister Owen Bonnici commented that throughout the last 10 years, the government has given strength to Arts Council Malta "to develop a solid system of funding mechanisms to ensure easier access to resources for artists and practitioners". He continued that at the same time, the government launched several other initiatives which continued to strengthen the sector in its entirety.

Bonnici spoke of a number of initiatives which he said were launched for artists and the sectors in general, such as the 7.5% tax rate for self-employed creative practitioners, along with the 150% tax reduction for cultural donations. He added that young people's access to culture was also facilitated through initiatives such as the Culture Pass. He continued that for this year, the government looks forward to continuing to spur the sustainable growth of the sector.

The Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta, Albert Marshall, stated that when the council was founded, the cultural landscape was still in the early stages of its development and was more focused on the organisation of festivals and national celebrations. He continued that work has begun where the council has also observed international practices, and today the council has specialised directorates within it to address the various needs of the sector.

Luke Dalli, the Chief Operating Officer of the council, commented that the decision to rebrand the council comes from the council's recognition of the ever-evolving cultural and creative landscape along with the need to modernise the council's identity to align with contemporary values and strategic objectives. "This renewal exercise reflects the council's commitment to face industrial challenges, fight for cultural rights, and establish itself as a forward-thinking leader in Malta's creative community, in a way that aligns itself totally with the sector."

The council's Chief Operating Officer for Funds and Strategy, Mary Ann Cauchi, spoke of how the council's strategy leading up to this year will soon be fully implemented. She said that consultations are already underway for the council's strategy leading up to 2030. She continued that the main priority is to improve the working conditions of artists through the Artist Status Card, and added that the promotion of inclusivity remains central, as well as the integration of art in healthcare and therapeutic environments.

A new directorate was launched during the anniversary event, that being the Directorate for International Cultural Relations.

The Ministry said that this new directorate is dedicated to expanding Malta's cultural footprint globally. It said that while internationalisation has long been an essential part of the council's work, this directorate will aim to consolidate and improve efforts so that Maltese artistic talent is exhibited on prestigious international platforms.

Annabelle Stivala, the Executive Head of the new directorate, said that the primary mission of the directorate is to promote Maltese artists and the Maltese identity on a global scale. She remarked that the directorate will allocate more funds and increase opportunities for local artists to exhibit and perform internationally. "Beyond financial assistance, the directorate is committed to providing tools and resources that artists need globally to flourish. These initiatives strengthen Malta's cultural diplomacy, and foster respect and mutual understanding between different countries."

Stivala added that apart from Malta's participation in the Venice Biennale and the London Design Biennale, the directorate has already expanded its presence by securing a space in the Gwangju Biennale in South Korea, which the Ministry stated is the most leading contemporary art event in Asia.