The Premju Ghall-Arti 2025 & its lasting legacy
THIS YEAR SEES A NEW EDITION OF THE PREMJU GĦALL-ARTI. RAMONA DEPARES CAUGHT UP WITH EVENT PROJECT MANAGER MARIA-ANGELA VASSALLO TO FIND OUT HOW THE EVENT SUPPORTS ARTS COUNCIL MALTA’S LONG-TERM VISION, AND ABOUT THE LASTING IMPACT THAT GOES BEYOND THE ACTUAL NIGHT
November is the month when the Premju Ghall-Arti, held every other year, brings Malta’s cultural and creative industries together to celebrate artistic excellence, innovation and cultural impact. But, beyond the glamour of the evening and the applause of the audience, the Awards serve a deeper purpose that lies at the heart of Arts Council Malta’s (ACM) wider strategy for the island’s cultural future.
We caught up with Maria-Angela Vassallo, Premju ghall-Arti project manager and Head of Communications at ACM. She sheds light on the ripple effect that the Awards are expected to have on the sector, and that continues beyond the awards night itself. “The event has now grown into more than an annual celebration of talent, evolving into a tangible expression of ACM’s longer-term vision within the country’s overall goals as laid out by ENVISION 2050,” Vassallo starts off.
“Recognising artists and creative practitioners across disciplines, it strengthens the cultural ecosystem and encourages higher professional standards, while reminding the wider public that the arts are not a luxury, but an essential part of our lives.”
Besides being about due recognition, the Premju Ghall-Arti is equally about progression. Through the Awards, ACM shines a spotlight on excellence, innovation, inclusion and professionalism across Malta’s creative sectors. The scope of the nominations – which range from grassroots initiatives to internationally acclaimed projects – embodies the Council’s approach to the ecosystem, acknowledging that every artistic endeavour, regardless of scale, contributes to the cultural fabric. One of the defining features of the Premju Ghall-Arti is the public vote, which accounts for 25 per cent of the total score, alongside the 75 per cent determined by an expert jury. This deliberate balance ensures that the Awards remain credible, while encouraging active participation from the public.
“Encouraging the public to vote gives people a sense of ownership and connection to the arts,” explains Vassallo. “It strengthens the relationship between artists and audiences and highlights the arts as a shared national conversation, not a niche pursuit.” To guarantee fairness, the voting process allows one vote per ID number, with a secure online system ensuring full transparency. The result is a system that supports both professional merit and public appreciation equally, and this is a reflection of how cultural value is created both by artistic endeavour and community engagement.
This approach, prizing integrity, is a cornerstone of the Awards’ credibility. The judging process is handled by an independent external jury, selected for their expertise and diversity of experience, alongside ACM representatives. All members work according to clear evaluation criteria and a detailed scoring grid. Any potential conflicts of interest lead to immediate recusal, while ACM’s management team is barred from nominating individuals or projects. The process remains confidential, and any attempt at solicitation results in disqualification. These measures all help to ensure that the Awards’ continue to reflect a professional and transparent system that artists can trust.
“Inclusivity is another one of the key drivers of ACM’s ongoing strategy and of the Premju Ghall-Arti. Over the years, ACM has introduced specific categories – such as Best Project in the Community and Best Work for Young Audiences – to make sure that artists and initiatives beyond the mainstream are given the spotlight they deserve. In this context, excellence is not defined by production budgets or scale, but by fairness, creativity and impact. The open and bilingual call for applications, which allows for self-nominations, ensures that artists from different regions, backgrounds and disciplines can take part.
Throughout the year we have also carried out targeted outreach to ensure that the Awards represent Malta’s full cultural spectrum, from emerging collectives to established institutions,” Vassallo elaborates. A particularly moving aspect of the Awards is the Special Honours category, which includes the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Arts Ambassador Award. Rather than simply celebrating individual success, these categories recognise sustained artistic contribution, leadership and advocacy, while also serving an educational and symbolic function: providing role models for younger generations and reinforcing the idea that the arts are a pillar of Malta’s identity and heritage.
“The special honours aim to give due recognition to those who have dedicated their lives to creative practice and cultural promotion, with the Premju underlining the long-term value of perseverance, mentorship and passion,” Vassallo states. “On that note, winning, or even being shortlisted, for the Premju naturally carries significant prestige. But the benefits don’t stop there, and there are also tangible benefits to consider – such as national visibility which often translates into new professional opportunities, partnerships and funding prospects. The strategy we’re following is for the Awards not to be an endpoint, but a launchpad for continued growth.”
Winners and finalists in fact gain access to ongoing support through ACM’s various programmes – including schemes, mentoring, and training opportunities such as ACMlab. They also become part of ACM’s networks and showcases, opening doors to collaborations both locally and abroad. This ensures that recognition leads to continuity and sustainability, which is a vital element in a small, but ambitious, creative economy.
“The Awards are increasingly conceived as a year-round process, not a one-night event, with ACM planning year-round public engagement ranging from showcases to talks, educational events that are designed to foster ongoing dialogue between artists and audiences. This evolution ensures that the Awards remain inclusive and aligned with ACM’s long-term strategies, including ENVISION 2050,” Vassallo explains.
Of course, since its inception the Premju has continuously evolved to reflect the changing realities of the creative sectors. New categories have been introduced to acknowledge emerging disciplines, particularly in the digital and interdisciplinary spheres. ACM is also expanding representation among nominees and juries, ensuring diversity of voice and perspective.
For emerging artists, the Premju Ghall-Arti sends a clear message that their work matters, and that recognition is possible at any stage of one’s career, provided the work demonstrates ambition, originality and integrity. This message carries great weight, cultivating confidence among new creatives while promoting a sense of belonging and community within the wider sector. “As ACM frequently emphasises, success in the arts is not only about visibility but also about purpose, connection and contribution.”
As we move to the months following the ceremony, the goal is for the Awards to continue to spark national dialogue about the value of creativity. Coverage in the media, public engagement on social platforms and follow-up storytelling help to sustain the momentum.
“Ultimately, the Premju Ghall-Arti is as much about the conversations it starts as it is about the accolades it gives. Malta’s creative energy thrives when artists are seen, valued and supported. We intend to keep the momentum alive through post-award storytelling and visibility, sparking a national dialogue around the cultural and creative industries,” Vassallo concludes.
