Revitalising the arts

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Arts Council Malta has launched an unprecedented initiative that has been well-received by local artists and the public alike.

RETOLD is an initiative that brings together locally produced, world-class artistic projects exhibited in past arts biennales for display in Malta, allowing the local community of artists and Maltese citizens to enjoy them.

The biennales are the Venice Art Biennale, which takes place every two years, and is the best art biennale in Europe, and the London Design Biennale, which is Europe's leading design exhibition. Malta won the London Design Biennale earlier this year.

This week, along with Dr. Luke Dalli, the dedicated Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta, we unveiled the Malta projects for the Venice Art Biennale 2026 and, for the first time, the Malta project for the Gwangju Art Biennale in South Korea, scheduled for next year as well.

Malta invests heavily in culture and the arts, and the results are outstanding, which convinces me -as the Minister responsible for these sectors - that we must invest even more. Whenever we support Maltese artists and creators, they make us proud.

Unfortunately, local artists and Maltese citizens never had the opportunity to witness these projects, except for pictures in the press and on social media. Now, they can. RETOLD brought these projects back to Malta, in an abridged version, but loyal to their original format, and they are being exhibited in local art museums and cultural venues across Malta. 

This is part of the Labour government's commitment to make culture and the arts accessible to all. Arts Council Malta is doing extraordinary work in this regard. The Council is taking countless decisions to ensure that culture and the arts are not the exclusive remit of the few but accessible to all. 

RETOLD is an excellent example of this. We want artists, creators, and designers who are able not only to think outside the box, but to dare to be different in a positive way. The artists behind URNA, the Maltese project that won the London Design Biennale this year, to mention but one of the RETOLD exhibits, were a group of young, professional, international creators who dared to be different, who dared to dream, who dared to come up with something bold, new, innovative, and dynamic - and they won. All the exhibits within the RETOLD initiative encapsulate this resilience - the determination to succeed and the courage to be bold.

As a government, we have recognized the need to bring culture and the arts closer to our people. This way, everyone will be more aware not only of the significant and valuable work being done in these areas but also that the public can enjoy the valuable creations of Maltese and Gozitan artists and creatives. 

It is wonderful to see how many of these projects being exhibited through the RETOLD initiative have made Malta proud abroad.  

Initiatives like RETOLD provide a proper platform for Maltese artists and creatives in their own country. We are truly proud of our world-class artists and creators. 

As I mentioned earlier, RETOLD is being launched in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Maltese Arts Council's founding.

Ten years ago, we envisioned revitalizing the arts in Malta. We were committed to making it happen because we believed in the talent and creativity of our artists. After significant effort and dedication, we now see Maltese artists not only succeed locally but also shine internationally. It is time for Maltese people to better enjoy and value their local talent, while encouraging the younger generation to pursue careers in these fields, which today, more than ever, offer promising job prospects and higher salaries. 

The Labour government, through Arts Council Malta, is working closely with local artists. We share a common goal: to build a long-lasting, strong, and sustainable arts industry. We believe in creating opportunities for everyone. Our promise is to unlock the full potential of Malta's arts and cultural sectors in ways that are sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented.

Building a world-class arts and cultural sector not only benefits local artists but also creates cross-sector value for hospitality, tourism, digital innovation, education, and beyond. Together with Arts Council Malta, we are developing a talent pipeline that is skilled, inclusive, and future-proof.

Opportunities in these sectors must not be limited to a few. They should be accessible to everyone. Internationally, Malta's visibility in these fields is increasing, thanks not only to the initiatives we support-including financial ones-but also to our values. We are recognized as a country that backs artists, trains talent, and delivers excellence. 

RETOLD shows that a small nation like Malta can excel in culture and the arts. It also highlights the Labour government's long-term commitment to these fields. The RETOLD exhibition is a powerful story of local artists and creatives who have exceeded expectations and made Malta proud.

A brighter future is just ahead. Our journey isn't over; we will build a stronger arts and cultural sector for generations to come.