The Arts Awards is an initiative of Arts Council Malta under the auspices of the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government. This year the award will celebrate the challenge and commitment of the cultural and creative sectors during the COVID-19 spread.

Minister Herrera said: “It is gratifying that this year’s Arts Awards will celebrate the commitment of the cultural and creative sector to overcoming the challenge of COVID-19,” claiming how over the past months artists have shown how they turned challenges into opportunities through their creativity.

The Government is committed to working with artists and all those involved in the cultural and creative sectors, such that a programme of schemes and measures has been announced for next year in which a total of €6 million will be directly invested in projects and initiatives.

This is a unique edition of the Arts Awards since we are not only rewarding artistic skills but also the resilience of the cultural sector which despite the difficulties encountered, it has continued to adapt and contribute to the local economy, explained Mr Albert Marshall, Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta.

The 2021 Arts Awards will focus on the efforts of the local arts community to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic. During this special edition two prizes will be awarded: the COVID-19 Best Initiative Award and the COVID-19 Best Production Award.

The COVID-19 Best Initiative Award will recognise private organisations and the artistic and cultural initiatives brought to the community at such crucial times for society through innovative thinking and practice. The COVID-19 Best Production Award will recognise projects with a high level of production despite the challenge.

Associate Christabel Catania, from Arts Council Malta explained that the nomination process is simple – members of the general public may fill in a simple form on the site www.premju.mt. When a nomination is submitted, the Arts Award team will contact the nominated individuals, and ask for their acceptance of the nomination. Upon acceptance, nominees will be requested to submit documentation about their work, which will eventually be evaluated by experts in the sector.

In addition to the two Special Prizes, the Arts Awards will also present four non-competitive Honours: the Lifetime Achievement, the Honour for Cultural Promoters, the Honour for Artistic Legacy and the Ambassador of the Arts.

The awards ceremony will be held in April 2021, the nomination process is open on www.premju.mt and closes on January 11, 2021. Late nominations will not be considered.

More information may be sought from Arts Council Malta on telephone 2339 7019, or by email at awards@artscouncil.mt