The Artistic Research and Development Scheme is one of Arts Council Malta’s tools to enable individuals, groups and organisations to research, plan, develop, and deliver on the Council’s strategic goals and ongoing strategy. By supporting their own research and development they should identify their target creative professionals and communities and:
- Nurture their creative potential and support their development, by encouraging co-creation, collaboration and experimentation.
- Invest in artistic excellence, by encouraging levels of creative risk, experimentation, and the active engagement of communities. They should do this by supporting quality projects, as well as identifying talent and encouraging its development.
- Document and carry out research into Malta’s past and present artistic and cultural communities, as well as consider and explore Malta’s artistic legacy.
The scheme forms part of Arts Council Malta’s funding schemes which aim to invest in exploratory projects that allow creative professionals and communities to experiment, test their work, engage with their peers, be duly represented in policy and strategy matters, nurture collaboration, and develop their ideas further. Applications submitted may form part of the initial phase of a wider project/body of work or can be self-contained.
This scheme will comprise of two main areas of focus. Applicants may choose to focus on one or both of these areas within their projects:
- Artistic practice
– Research into artistic concepts, techniques, and subjects;
– Exploratory research adopting innovative or untested approaches in the conception, creation and development of artistic work;
– Research into Malta’s artistic communities, with a view to document Malta’s artistic legacy in an open, inclusive and sustainable manner.
2. Community and audience engagement
– Exploring participatory approaches to audience engagement in order to deepen engagement with existing or new audiences;
– Experimenting with innovative methods of experiential engagement with audiences;
– Research into ways to improve access to the arts and promote inclusive participation and greater diversity within the arts.
Requirements in line with Arts Council Malta’s ongoing Strategy
In line with its commitment to supporting the arts through its sustainable and accountable approach to public investment, ACM draws applicants’ attention to the following in line with its Strategy 2025:
Applicants are required to consider the principles expressed through its Right to Culture – Resource Pack when developing their proposal in relation to how they engage with communities and the considerations of everyone’s cultural rights in their work. The resource pack is aimed at increasing awareness regarding inclusivity and supporting the implementation of cultural rights in our day-to-day practice.
Applicants are also required to consider the Charter for the Status of the Artist when proposing their operational and programming activities to ensure acceptable and decent working conditions for artists and creative practitioners which embraces artistic freedom, accessibility, formal/informal/non-formal skill recognition, decent socio-economic conditions, non-discrimination and equity, ethical considerations and adherence to intellectual property rights and international labour law. The Charter for the Status of the Artist is meant to provide a dynamic frame of reference for any legislation, policy, or initiative which directly or indirectly impacts artists and cultural and creative sectors, ensuring that any action is aligned with the ultimate long-term vision of elevating the status of artists in Malta in line with their tangible value to society.