Call for Artists’ Residency Programme 2026 – 2027

Joined call by Spazju Kreattiv in collaboration with the Valletta Cultural Agency, the Valletta Design Cluster and the Ministry for Gozo for the Artists’ Residency Programme 2026 - 2027
Spazju Kreattiv, Malta’s National Centre for Creativity, in collaboration with the Valletta Cultural Agency and the Ministry for Gozo, invites internationally-based creatives from all contemporary art forms to apply for an immersive and community-based artist-in-residence programme in 2026 and 2027. The duration of each residency may vary from three (3) to four (4) weeks for projects taking place between January 2026 and July 2027.
These residencies are linked to Spazju Kreattiv’s strategic vision of evolving the cultural and creative scene in Malta, to the Valletta Cultural Agency’s mission to sustain and strengthen the capital city’s vibrant cultural life through the creation of creative events developed in collaboration with artists, communities and other Public Cultural Organisations. They also reflect the goals of the Regional Strategy 2022-2027, which focuses on increasing outreach and accessibility in the sector and fostering appreciation for artistic and cultural professions, alongside the Ministry for Gozo’s vision of promoting community-led cultural activities. The strand is developed in line with Spazju Kreattiv’s role as a catalyst for contemporary expression as Malta’s National Centre for Creativity and within the context of Arts Council Malta’s Strategy 2025.
In such a framework, our residency programme aims to enrich cultural diversity within the national creative scene by encouraging encounters and exchanges between international and Maltese artists, creative collaborators and local communities, and the physical and virtual environments. The residency programme will provide the time for project research and development, as well as opportunities to engage with communities in the presentation of work.
Those interested may apply for any of the following Artists’ Residency Programme strands:
1: Artists’ Residency in Valletta in collaboration with the Valletta Cultural Agency
Residency Duration: 3 – 4 weeks
Residency Location: Valletta Design Cluster, Malta
Number of Residencies: 2 (maximum)
Spazju Kreattiv, in collaboration with the Valletta Cultural Agency, is seeking proposals for residencies at the Valletta Design Cluster, a community space for cultural and creative practice situated in the renovated Old Abattoir building (Il-Biċċerija) in Valletta. The residencies are mainly but not exclusively targeted towards artists and creatives from the Global South, EuroMed and MENA countries. Preference will be given to applications dealing with innovative creative arts, cultural diversity and inclusion, and international encounters and exchanges. The selected applicants will be expected to present at least one event/talk/workshop related to the residency theme at the Valletta Design Cluster.
These residencies will seek to provide selected artists-in-residence opportunities to collaborate with specific local communities in Valletta that have a shared interest in long-standing traditions, social trends and contemporary creative practices. Artists/creatives will have the opportunity to use the Valletta Design Cluster facilities, including a Makerspace with manual and digital fabrication tools (for a list of tools, visit https://www.vca.gov.mt/en/makerspace/),co-working facilities, meeting/workshop rooms, Foodspace, and public areas including its roof garden (subject to availability of space). Together with this, they will also have the possibility to engage with the programmes of Spazju Kreattiv and utilise the premises and resources available at St James Cavalier, Valletta.
Each residency can accommodate up to two (2) collaborating artists/practitioners and has to be centred around a clearly identified core project/theme. Where the applicant is more than a single artist/practitioner, a justification needs to be provided showing how the identified theme will be addressed in a multidisciplinary multi-perspectival manner. In the case of 2 individuals coming from the same organisation/collective, the respective roles within the proposed project need to be clarified at the application stage.
2: Artists’ Residency in Gozo in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo
Residency Duration: 3 – 4 weeks
Residency Location: Gozo
Number of Residencies: 2 (maximum)
Those residency projects situated in Gozo, the sister island of Malta, are to be developed within a close-knit community and are meant to maximise cultural immersion within the island and its communities. Selected projects should consider the island’s traditions and social fora, and in the process explore opportunities for cultural and creative discoveries.
Each residency can accommodate up to two (2) collaborating artists/practitioners, centred around a clearly identified core project/theme. In cases wherein the proposal includes more than a single artist/practitioner, a justification needs to be provided showing how the identified theme will be addressed in a multidisciplinary multi-perspectival manner.
3: Artists` Residency within the Port Region of Malta
Residency Duration: 3 – 4 weeks
Residency Location: Within the Port Region of Malta (please refer to the below map for reference). Those interested in applying to work with communities of Valletta – please select the first strand in collaboration with the Valletta Cultural Agency.
Number of Residencies: 2 (maximum)
The residency projects targeting the port region of Malta, as shown in the below map, are to be developed within designated local communities of the area. This residency strand is particularly aimed at directly involving targeted groups and individuals in creative projects through the use of community art methods, including but not limited to socially engaged, activistic, performative and craftsmanship activities. Selected applicants should take into account the region`s demographics, socio-political elements, and seek to implement solutions by involving community groups in artistic practices.
Each residency can accommodate up to two (2) collaborating artists/practitioners, centred around a clearly identified core project/theme. In cases wherein the proposal includes more than a single artist/practitioner, a justification needs to be provided showing how the identified theme will be addressed in a multidisciplinary multi-perspective manner.

Artists’ Residency Programme Priorities
Applications will be considered in relation to Spazju Kreattiv’s overarching strategic vision, which focuses on Artistic Excellence, Community Outreach, and Internationalisation. Consideration will also be given to the Regional Strategy 2022-2027 framework, the Ministry for Gozo’s vision of fostering community-led cultural activities (for the Gozo residency strand), and the Valletta Cultural Agency’s mission (for the Valletta residency strand) to enhance the capital’s vibrant cultural life through collaborative events with artists, communities, and Public Cultural Organisations (PCOs).
In this context, priority will be given to applicants who aim to:
i) collaborate directly and actively with local communities and cultures;
ii) willing to interact and network productively with Maltese creatives and/or organisations;
iii) work within a context that relates directly to the programme/s of the organising partners;
iv) present creative forms that are currently emerging or underrepresented in Malta and Gozo.
The applications will be evaluated against various criteria, such as artistic excellence, creative portfolio, and project`s relevance to the current socio-political contexts; creative innovation, community outreach and audience engagement, with special attention on underrepresented audiences, and involvement of the local creatives; internationalisation and cross-collaboration with international counterparts; and overall clarity on the proposal (such as but not limited to, the project aims, themes, action plan, the case for support, budget breakdown, and means of funding).
Conditions
Spazju Kreattiv, in collaboration with the Valletta Cultural Agency and the Ministry for Gozo, will provide those selected with:
- Accommodation (exact location for the Gozo and Port Region residency to be determined at a later stage in relation to the type of selected residency);
- Airport transfers;
- Daily subsistence;
- Project allowance (subject to the project requirements that will be discussed and agreed upon between the selected applicant and a representative of the Spazju Kreattiv);
- Professional assistance in the coordination, development and dissemination of the initiative;
- Promotion of the residency project on the Spazju Kreattiv and associated partner/s media channels.
Flight expenses are the responsibility of the selected applicants and need to be booked following consultation with Spazju Kreattiv.
Anything not mentioned above will have to be covered by the selected artists.
Timeframes
The call opens on Wednesday 15th January 2025
The call closes on Wednesday 19th February 2025
Decisions communicated by no later than the end of April 2025
Valuable information:
Spazju Kreattiv: Click Here
Spazju Kreattiv Artists’ Residency programme framework and past residencies: Click Here
Valletta Design Cluster: Click Here
Arts Council Malta: Click Here
Gozo Cultural Heritage Directorate: Click Here
Regional Cultural Strategies 2022-2027: Click Here


