Deadline: 30-Mar-2026
The ARTIVISTI programme offers young Maltese creatives an 18-month multidisciplinary mentoring experience that combines art and activism. Participants receive funding, mentorship, and community support to develop socially impactful creative projects, with grants of up to €4,000 per project.
About the Programme
The ARTIVISTI programme is a unique initiative designed to support young creatives in Malta who want to use art as a tool for social change. It merges artistic development with activism, encouraging participants to develop creative projects that generate meaningful social impact. The programme emphasizes recognizing and nurturing exceptional young talent, fostering social responsibility through art, encouraging critical thinking, innovation, and practice-based research, and investing in skills, values, and knowledge to drive creative transformation.
Key Benefits
Selected participants will gain access to mentorship through an 18-month multidisciplinary programme, networking with creative peers, visibility as ambassadors for the arts, inclusion in an alumni community for long-term support, and funding grants up to €4,000 depending on project proposals. The total programme budget is €20,000, with grants disbursed by cheque. Participants must have a valid bank account.
Who is Eligible?
To apply for ARTIVISTI 2026, individuals must meet the following criteria: age between 18 and 25 years old in 2026, Maltese citizens or holders of a Maltese residence permit, certificate of citizenship, or passport, individual applications only, proof of identity via Maltese ID card, residence permit, citizenship certificate, or passport, and a demonstrated interest in art and activism.
How It Works: Application and Selection Process
The programme follows a two-phase selection process:
1. Application Submission: submit personal information, proof of identity, and details about creative background and activism interest.
2. Project Proposal (Second Phase): selected applicants develop an artistic project with social impact; funding is allocated up to €4,000 based on the proposal.
3. Programme Participation: join the 18-month mentoring programme with guidance, peer collaboration, and workshops.
4. Implementation and Reporting: implement projects with financial support and submit final reporting.
Why ARTIVISTI Matters
The programme encourages young creatives to use art for social change, develop professional skills in project design and execution, gain recognition and visibility within the Maltese arts community, and connect with peers and mentors to create a lifelong network. This combination of mentorship, funding, and exposure helps turn artistic ideas into tangible social impact.
Tips for Applicants
Focus on projects demonstrating clear social relevance, ensure identity and residency documents are valid, present a well-structured proposal with realistic timelines and budget, highlight creative experience and commitment to activism, and engage in practice-based research to strengthen project impact.
FAQs
1. How many participants are selected each year? A maximum of five beneficiaries are chosen.
2. What is the maximum grant amount per project? Up to €4,000 depending on the proposal.
3. Who can apply? Individual creatives aged 18–25 in 2026 who are Maltese citizens or hold a valid residence permit, citizenship certificate, or passport.
4. Can organizations apply? No, applications are restricted to individuals only.
5. How long does the mentoring programme last? 18 months, including guidance, workshops, and peer networking.
6. How is the grant disbursed? By cheque in the name of the applicant; a valid bank account is required.
7. What type of projects are eligible? Projects must focus on art with a social impact or activist purpose, demonstrating creativity, innovation, and community relevance.
Conclusion
The ARTIVISTI programme is a transformative opportunity for young Maltese creatives to combine art with activism. Through mentorship, funding, and a strong creative network, participants can turn artistic visions into projects that drive social change. Applying requires a clear project proposal, valid identity, and a commitment to using art as a tool for societal impact, supporting creative growth and fostering socially engaged artistry in Malta.
For more information, visit Arts Council Malta.