Deadline: 23-Jun-2026
The Arts Support Scheme is designed to support artistic and cultural projects that contribute to the growth and sustainability of Malta’s cultural and creative sectors.
The programme encourages:
- Artistic excellence and innovation
- Collaboration and experimentation
- Audience engagement and participation
- Inclusivity and diversity
- Intercultural and intergenerational exchange
- Cultural preservation and documentation
- Development of emerging artists and creative talent
The scheme also supports projects that improve accessibility and participation within the arts sector.
Funding Details
Key funding information:
- Total Budget: EUR 700,000
- Maximum Grant per Project: EUR 40,000
- Funding Coverage: Up to 80% of eligible costs
- Project Duration: Maximum 18 months
What the Scheme Supports
Eligible activities include:
- Artistic productions and programming
- Creative and cultural projects
- Documentation and archiving initiatives
- Audience engagement activities
- Community participation projects
- Collective memory and heritage projects
- Accessibility and diversity initiatives
- Creative experimentation and innovation
Eligible Costs
The grant can support:
- Artistic and professional fees
- Project management expenses
- Production and operational costs
- Marketing and communication
- Documentation and digitalisation
- Travel and accommodation
- Equipment rental or purchase
- Insurance and health & safety measures
Costs and Activities Not Supported
The scheme does not fund:
- Retrospective or already incurred costs
- Fundraising activities
- Political propaganda
- Competitions and scholarships
- Subsistence expenses
- Annual festivals
- Academic research projects
- Projects already funded through other public schemes
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Entities registered with the Malta Business Registry
- Registered cooperatives
- Groups and collectives
- Voluntary organisations
- Creative professionals and individual artists
Individual applicants must:
- Be Maltese citizens, or
- Hold a Maltese residence permit, citizenship certificate, or Maltese passport
Voluntary organisations must:
- Be legally registered
- Comply with reporting obligations
Registered entities must:
- Submit all required annual documentation
Who Is Not Eligible?
Applications are considered ineligible if submitted by:
- Organisations funded through government-established votes
- Beneficiaries with pending reports from previous Arts Council Malta grants
- Applicants who failed previous funding commitments
- Unregistered voluntary organisations
- Entities without a registered Maltese address
- Applicants with incomplete mandatory documents
- Individual group members submitting the same proposal separately
Why This Scheme Matters
The Arts Support Scheme helps strengthen Malta’s cultural ecosystem by:
- Supporting local artists and creators
- Encouraging cultural participation
- Preserving artistic heritage
- Promoting diversity and accessibility
- Expanding audience engagement
- Supporting new and emerging talent
The programme also contributes to long-term cultural sustainability and creative sector growth.
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Develop a clear artistic or cultural project proposal.
- Ensure the project aligns with the scheme’s objectives.
- Prepare a realistic budget and implementation plan.
- Gather all required registration and compliance documents.
- Submit the application before the official deadline.
Strong applications should clearly explain:
- Artistic value and impact
- Community engagement
- Innovation and inclusivity
- Audience development plans
- Feasibility and sustainability
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting incomplete documentation
- Applying for ineligible activities or costs
- Weak project planning and budgeting
- Lack of audience engagement strategy
- Failing to demonstrate artistic impact
- Missing compliance requirements
FAQ
What is the maximum funding available?
Applicants can receive up to EUR 40,000 per project.
How much of the project budget can the grant cover?
The scheme can cover up to 80% of eligible project costs.
Who can apply?
Artists, creative professionals, organisations, cooperatives, collectives, and voluntary organisations in Malta can apply if they meet eligibility requirements.
What types of projects are supported?
The scheme supports artistic productions, cultural initiatives, documentation projects, accessibility programmes, and community engagement activities.
Are festivals eligible?
Annual festivals are not eligible under this scheme.
Can individuals apply?
Yes. Individual artists and creative professionals can apply if they meet Maltese residency or citizenship requirements.
What is the maximum project duration?
Projects must be completed within 18 months.
Conclusion
The Arts Support Scheme offers important funding opportunities for artists, organisations, and creative professionals working to strengthen Malta’s cultural and creative sectors. By supporting innovation, inclusivity, artistic excellence, and community engagement, the programme helps build a more accessible, diverse, and sustainable arts ecosystem in Malta.
For more information, visit Arts Council Malta.