Community-based cultural organisations get financial boost

Creativity within local communities is set to receive a boost thanks to a funding programme which focuses on unlocking their potential. The funding programme – aptly called Creative Communities - will focus on community-led creative and artistic activities, primarily addressing local communities. It provides the opportunity for training, research and the development of artistic projects led by the community for the community, while celebrating cultural diversity.

The fund is open to voluntary organizations registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations. According to the latest stats, there are 177 voluntary organizations operating within the cultural sector in Malta – around 16 per cent of all registered VOs. In 2010, 90 active band clubs in Malta and Gozo showed a participation of 4,123 resident or trainee band players and 1,426 committee members. The total number of active volunteers reached the 30,134 mark.

This year, Creative Communities will be allocating a total of €100,000. The deadline to apply is 2 April at noon for projects to be carried out between June 2015 and June 2016. Exceptionally for this first call, 10 per cent of the allocated funds may be granted to projects carried out between January 2015 and June 2015.

The second deadline of this fund is 30 October 2015 at noon for projects which will be carried out between February 2016 and February 2017. The total allocation for this call will be €50,000. The following deadline would then be carried out between June 2016 and June 2017. The deadline will be announced at a later date.

Each project may be allocated a maximum of €5,000. The amount requested cannot exceed 80 per cent of the total expenditure of the project. This fund is competitive and will be evaluated according to established criteria. These include the project’s impact on the local community, the project management and its quality and outcome.

Arts Council Malta will be organizing four public information sessions about the fund. These will be held between 9 and 11 March in Malta and Gozo. The sessions will be held in Maltese except for one session which will be held in English.

The launch of the programme forms part of the larger restructuring of Arts Council Malta, said Arts Council Malta director strategy Toni Attard. “Arts Council Malta will bring together several national cultural funding programmes, allowing for greater transparency, accountability and accessibility,” he said. The programme forms part of a new strategy which has diversity and communities as one of its main pillars.

“At a time when so much cultural initiative stems from local communities, we felt the need to invest in their creativity, particularly by encouraging initiatives focusing on diversity, training and research,” said Culture Minister Owen Bonnici. “Art can help pull communities together, create connections and overcome challenges creatively. By supporting it, we are going to the heart of the community.”

More info and application forms from maltaculture.com. For more info call on 2339 7009 or email on [email protected]