The Cultural Participation Survey 2026 will gather information on how residents in Malta and Gozo come into contact with art and culture
The Arts Council Malta, in collaboration with the University of Malta, has launched the Cultural Participation Survey 2026 – a nationwide research initiative aimed at understanding how people in Malta and Gozo come into contact with art and culture in their daily lives.
The survey will explore the cultural activities that people enjoy doing, how often they participate in them and the factors that influence their choices. It will also examine the challenges that may prevent people from accessing cultural experiences in order to provide valuable information to support future cultural policy and planning.
Building on previous editions, including a comparable study conducted in 2016, the survey will offer an up-to-date picture of cultural participation in the Maltese Islands. At least 1,500 residents will be interviewed through a representative sample based on age, gender and district.
Research covers a wide range of cultural activities: from attendance at theatre performances, concerts, museums, festivals and cultural heritage sites to participation in music, dance, visual arts, crafts, writing and other creative activities.
Arts Council Malta Executive Chairman Dr Luke Dalli said: "Culture is part of our daily lives. It shapes who we are, brings communities together and gives people opportunities to express themselves. However, if we truly believe that culture is a right for everyone, we must first and foremost understand how people interact with it and – just as importantly – what may be holding others back from participating.
This survey is not simply about gathering statistics. It's also about listening to people, understanding their experiences and making sure that the decisions we make are grounded in the realities of our communities. Through this research we want to continue to build a cultural sector that is more inclusive, accessible and able to reflect the various interests and aspirations of the people in Malta and Gozo."
Director of Strategy at KMA Daniel Azzopardi stated that "the 2030 Strategy sets an ambitious direction for Malta's arts and culture sector while recognising its vital role in shaping the country's future. This national survey is a crucial step in understanding how much progress the sector has made, how investment has contributed to its growth and how we can build on this progress to maximise its social, cultural and economic impact in the years to come."
The survey also examines how people engage with culture through digital platforms, their reading and listening habits, language preferences, volunteering and knowledge of cultural organisations. Particular attention will be paid to understanding the barriers to participation, including cost, time, accessibility and transport.
The survey will be conducted through telephone interviews using a computer-assisted telephone interview system (CATI) which allows researchers to collect information from residents in Malta and Gozo in a structured and consistent manner. Once the interviews are completed the responses are analysed to identify participation patterns, differences between different population groups as well as areas where opportunities for cultural engagement can be improved.
The findings will be presented in a scientific report, accompanied by statistical analysis and anonymised datasets. They will provide cultural organisations, researchers and public authorities with up-to-date national data to better understand audiences, identify participation gaps and plan initiatives that respond to the needs and interests of different communities.
The survey aligns with the implementation process of the Arts Council Malta's 2030 Strategy which places cultural rights, inclusion and access among its priorities. The findings will help the Council identify gaps in participation and develop initiatives that make arts and culture more accessible to communities in Malta and Gozo. The results are expected to be published in early 2027.
For more information visit https://artscouncilmalta.gov.mt.