The Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government has launched the guidelines and regulations for the 2025 Artistic Heritage Scheme.
This scheme aims to support cultural organisations across Malta and Gozo which work voluntarily to carry out and preserve traditions related to Maltese feasts.
This scheme offers funding split into three categories: eligible band societies and feast musical societies may receive up to €8,000 per entity; semi-permanent artistic installations can see eligible entities be eligible for up to €5,000; while the third category concerning health and safety in fireworks factories may also grant eligible entities up to €5,000.
However, organisations wishing to utilise the fireworks factory grant within this scheme can only benefit from a maximum of €2,500 if the sites they are using are not their own owned property.
Arts Minister Owen Bonnici said that this scheme is very important in further bolstering Malta's cultural heritage.
"Maltese feasts are part of our identity," he said, "Through this scheme, we are investing directly in those organisations whose work preserves and enhances the beauty of our feasts, while we provide them security and strengthen their cultural infrastructure."
The Head of Funding within Arts Council Malta, Rita Falzon, described that this scheme is designed to provide the necessary support to organisations that dedicate their time to promote and give life to the artistic and musical traditions associated with Maltese feasts. Falzon encouraged all eligible organisations to apply and benefit from this fund.
First call applications for this scheme are open and will continue to be accepted until 1 April 2025 - results can be expected to be published on 8 May 2025.
Second call applications will be open until 7 October 2025; these results can be expected as of 13 November 2025.
For further information on this scheme and the application process, one can either visit Arts Council Malta's website, http://www.artscouncil.mt/, or they may contact the Council directly via their email address ([email protected]).