Arts Council Malta has announced the list of nominees for the first edition of Il-Premju għall-Arti, the national arts awards which celebrate the achievements of the cultural and creative sectors.
The award acknowledges excellence in artistic work premiered during the preceding year and are unique in their focus on culture and the arts.
“These awards celebrate the best artistic work in the country at a time when culture has never been so vibrant,” said Culture Minister Owen Bonnici at the Nominees Night, which was held at the Phoenicia Grand Ballroom yesterday evening.
The nominees – spread over eight categories – were selected by a jury of sectoral experts and Arts Council Malta representatives from the nominations submitted through an open call. The winners of these categories as well as three other awards - the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Ambassador of the Arts and the People’s Choice Award - will be announced at the Awards night, which will be held on 23 March at Teatru Manoel.
The categories – which include Best Project in the Community, Best International Achievement, Young Artist of the Year and Best Creative Enterprise - were selected according to Arts Council Malta’s strategic priorities as outlined in the Council’s Strategy2020, its five-year plan for the cultural and creative sectors.
The Awards covers projects, productions or activities in the cultural and creative sectors which have been premiered or presented between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017.
Winners will receive a prestigious award, a sculpture in glass and ceramic, by Maltese artist Kane Cali.
The Awards are set to become a yearly appointment for artists and all those involved in the cultural and creative sectors. “We are working so that these Awards provide a reference point for excellence across the sector,” said Arts Council Malta acting chairman Annabelle Stivala. “This is another way in which we encourage and recognise excellence in the cultural and creative sectors.”
Meanwhile, the public will also have the opportunity to reward their preferred artistic production of the year through the People’s Choice award. Voting instructions and nominees are available on www.artscouncilmalta.org. Voting can be done online or by telephone.
Il-Premju għall-Arti is an initiative of Arts Council Malta through the National Fund for Artistic Excellence within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government. Il-Premju għall-Arti is proudly supported by Hotel Phoenicia, Nexos Lighting & Video, 111 Holdings and Aġenzija Żgħażagħ.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
Best project in the community
Aħdar id-Deżert
Opening Doors Association
Equality in Music
Radio Valo Team, Down Syndrome Association
Setting up our social enterprise
Nicholas Agius
Darba Waħda
Anna Formosa
B’Tal-linja Jaqbillek Żgur
Sean Buhagiar
Best International Achievement
From Home with Love
ŻfinMalta Dance Ensemble
Vengeance
Gordon Calleja
Charlene Farrugia’s international performance
Charlene Farrugia
Malta. Land of Sea
Heritage Malta
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