Culture and Health Fund Platform for the Maltese Islands (Malta)

Deadline: 07-Apr-2026

The Culture and Health Fund Platform in Malta supports emerging artists working at the intersection of culture, health, and social care over a four-year initiative. The program provides opportunities for international learning mobility and Malta-based artist-led projects, with funding of up to EUR 9,000 per participant or project. Applicants must engage with healthcare or social care partners and focus on projects that enhance holistic well-being and community cultural access.

About the Culture and Health Fund Platform

The Culture and Health Fund Platform promotes collaboration between the arts, health, and care sectors in Malta, supporting emerging artists to develop projects that improve well-being, cultural access, and social impact. The initiative is part of the broader CultureUHealth program, co-funded by the European Union, Europe for Cultural Action, and 14 European partners, with ARC Research & Consultancy as the Maltese partner. Local support comes from Arts Council Malta and the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.

Objectives of the Fund

• Strengthen the intersection of culture, health, and care at local and national levels

• Promote holistic well-being through arts and cultural activities

• Support the professional development of artists working in health and social care contexts

• Facilitate artist-led projects in communities, healthcare, and social care settings

• Build strategic national and international partnerships for sustainable outcomes

• Value diverse artistic and cultural expression as integral to Malta’s cultural ecology

• Recognise culture’s role in disease prevention, healing, and healthier communities

Program Structure

The Fund is divided into two branches, each with distinct objectives and funding opportunities.

Branch 1 – International Learning Mobility

• Provides emerging artists the opportunity to participate in pre-defined shadowing and mentoring experiences abroad

• Mobility options (September 2026):

  1. Culture and Health Forum, Vienna, Austria – networking, presentations, and training with Arts for Health Austria

  2. Peer-learning shadowing in Finland – 5-day experience with musician and educator Saaramaija Żórawski, focusing on participatory music in healthcare settings

  3. Learning visit in Helsingborg, Sweden – 3-day programme with artists Rita Winde and Joanna Thede, exploring participatory art in care contexts

• Funding: Total budget EUR 9,000; maximum EUR 3,000 per applicant

• Requirements: Applicants must contact the host organisation or artist in advance and provide a letter of intent

Branch 2 – Malta-Based Project Implementation

• Supports artist-led projects within Malta that enhance quality of life and cultural access in healthcare or social care contexts

• Eligible initiatives include:

  • Participatory art programmes for physical or mental health

  • Preventive and health-promotion projects

  • Artistic productions and residencies in healthcare or social care settings

  • Practice-based research projects in relevant contexts

• Funding: Total allocation EUR 27,000; maximum EUR 9,000 per project

• Requirements: Applicants must secure a healthcare or social care partner prior to submission and provide a signed letter of intent

• Cultural entities cannot serve as the partner

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Emerging Maltese or Malta-based artists qualifying as creative professionals or individual artists

• Entities registered with the Malta Business Registry

• Groups, collectives, consortia, registered cooperatives, and voluntary organisations enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations

Applicants are encouraged to follow:

• Right to Culture – Resource Pack, for community engagement and rights-based approaches

• Artist Status Charter, ensuring fair and ethical working conditions

How to Apply

1. Confirm eligibility: Ensure you are an emerging artist or eligible entity

2. Identify project or mobility option: Choose between Branch 1 (international mobility) or Branch 2 (Malta-based projects)

3. Secure partnership: For Branch 2, obtain a healthcare or social care partner with a signed letter of intent

4. Prepare application: Include project description, budget, timeline, and references to professional practice

5. Submit application: Follow guidance provided in official application resources

6. Await decision: Applications are assessed based on impact, feasibility, collaboration, and alignment with fund objectives

Tips for Applicants

• Clearly outline the impact on health, well-being, or social care communities

• Provide a detailed and realistic budget

• Demonstrate relevant experience, qualifications, and previous practice

• Highlight community engagement strategies and sustainable outcomes

• Follow ethical guidelines as per the Artist Status Charter

FAQs – Culture and Health Fund Platform

1. What types of projects are supported?
Projects that connect culture, health, and social care, including participatory arts, residencies, and practice-based research within healthcare or social care contexts.

2. Who can apply for funding?
Emerging Maltese or Malta-based artists, registered creative entities, groups, collectives, consortia, cooperatives, and voluntary organisations.

3. What funding is available?
Branch 1 (international mobility) – up to EUR 3,000 per applicant
Branch 2 (Malta-based projects) – up to EUR 9,000 per project

4. Are partnerships required?
Yes, Branch 2 projects must have a healthcare or social care partner; cultural entities cannot serve as the required partner.

5. Can applicants participate in both branches?
Applicants may apply to the branch most relevant to their project or mobility plan; guidance should be followed as per official instructions.

6. What documentation is needed?
Letter of intent from partner (if applicable), project description, budget, timeline, and evidence of professional practice.

7. What is the focus of the funding?
Funding prioritises artist-led initiatives that demonstrate social, health, and cultural impact and strengthen intersectoral collaboration.

Conclusion

The Culture and Health Fund Platform empowers emerging artists in Malta to create meaningful, health-focused cultural projects locally and internationally. By supporting both mobility experiences abroad and Malta-based interventions, the fund strengthens professional development, fosters intersectoral collaboration, and promotes holistic well-being across communities. Eligible artists and entities are encouraged to apply to contribute to a sustainable and culturally rich health and social care ecosystem in Malta.

For more information, visit Arts Council Malta.