Celebrating 10 Years of Encore Arts & Culture Magazine
SPANNING A DECADE WITH 40 ISSUES, THE INCEPTION OF MALTA’S PREMIER CULTURAL PUBLICATION MARKED A NEW ERA FOR THE SECTOR
Ten years ago, a group of like-minded individuals with a drive towards seeing the arts and culture sectors in Malta flourish got together to discuss a seed of an idea. A decade and 40 editions later, that seed has grown into the Maltese Islands’ foremost magazine to focus purely on this area, casting an in-depth look by means of interviews, features, news updates and more.
“The main reason I felt the urgency to establish an arts and culture publication was that there simply wasn’t one. Lifestyle magazines flourished, while arts and culture magazines struggled to survive within the commercial model that relies on advertising. Encore has been successful because its sustainability is built on a support network of local cultural institutions that recognise the value of promoting their mission and events in a dedicated arts and culture publication,” Ruben Zahra, one of the directors and a renowned composer in his own right, starts off.
In fact, a significant part of the publication follows the contours of Malta’s cultural landscape through two main strand. The first is the events themselves. “Most cultural partners use Encore as a platform to promote their current events so, naturally, the magazine reflects and documents Malta’s cultural programme.”
The editorial content is the other stand, exploring and commenting on key issues such as Malta’s cultural infrastructure, mobility for local artists, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts. “The publication also produces its own in-depth articles that follow specific themes. The Hot Topic section, for instance, tackles current issues. Backstage offers a behind-the-scenes narrative of cultural events; the Spotlight series is dedicated to showcasing local artists and initiatives, allowing us to explore, document, and promote both the topic and the artist in greater depth,” Zahra explains
Despite the shift towards digital media, Encore has successfully proven that the value of print remains strong. The publication owes its success in part to the strong distribution network, with 35 points across Malta and Gozo ensuring the magazine remains visible in key cultural locations.
“We’ve seen that readers still appreciate the experience of picking up a physical copy of Encore, browsing through its pages, and engaging with both its design and content in a tangible way.”
And, while the magazine focuses on Malta’s cultural landscape, the global perspective is not lacking with content presented within a European and international context.
“When discussing editorial direction with our fantastic editor, Ramona Depares, we make it a priority to maintain this balance. For instance, when covering the application of generative artificial intelligence in art, we feature both local and international artists. This is likewise reflected in the Hot Topic section, where we acknowledge that local issues are rarely isolated and explore how other countries are addressing similar socio-political challenges affecting their art scenes.”
Depares is likewise passionate about the importance of contextualising the local ecosystem within wider events taking place on the global stage.
“Encore remains a unique publication on the local front. It doesn’t stop at documenting events and developments driven by various cultural organisations, but also places important issues under the spotlight in an effort to support the growth of the sector. The success of this editorial strategy is also thanks to the publication’s previous editors, each of whom has left their mark and contributed to the evolution of Encore,” Depares says.
These include the magazine’s very first editor, Veronica Stivala, Teodor Reljic, and Lisa Gwen Baldacchino. The latter took over the reins for a stint while Depares was on a creative hiatus.
“I do feel the need to emphasise that, while magazines the world over have cut back on writers and editorial staff, Encore has remained strong in its editorial approach with a full team of contributors and the invaluable services of our sub-editor Tricia Dawn Williams. This professional approach is undoubtedly one of the publication’s distinguishing features.”
Encore has been successful because its sustainability is built on a support network of local cultural institutions.
A decade of design evolution: Encore’s visual journey
Over the past decade, the magazine’s visual identity has evolved alongside its editorial vision. At the heart of this evolution is design and marketing firm Kuluri. “In the beginning, Encore had a minimalist, structured look, reinforcing its focus on high-quality, in-depth content. “We wanted the design to be clean and sophisticated, avoiding clutter and excessive advertising,” Kuluri’s Daniel Borg, creative director of the magazine, explains.
As the magazine grew, so did its design language. A more experimental phase followed, incorporating bold typography, unconventional layouts, and edgier aesthetics to signal a fresh, dynamic voice in Malta’s cultural scene. Later, the design refined itself again, embracing classic elements while integrating modern touches.
“This evolution allowed us to balance tradition with contemporary design,” adds Reuben Spiteri, who is also a director of the magazine. “We wanted a timeless yet forward-thinking feel. Each design shift has reflected the changing landscape of culture itself, ensuring Encore remains relevant, fresh, and engaging.”
In fact, Encore’s current design blends contemporary sophistication with editorial clarity. It maintains a clean aesthetic, using a balanced colour palette and expressive typography. The layouts are structured yet dynamic, allowing the content to shine while keeping a strong visual impact.
“We’ve refined the balance between minimalism and creativity,” says Borg. “The result is a visual identity that’s modern, fresh, and deeply connected to today’s cultural conversations. The magazine remains visually engaging without overshadowing the content, striking a balance between timeless design and innovation.”
In fact, ensuring content remains the focus is at the core of Kuluri’s approach. The key is readability and intentional design; typography is carefully selected for clarity, and layouts guide the reader’s eye naturally.
“A good design complements the story rather than competing with it,” explains Spiteri. “We make sure visuals add value without being distracting.” Images, graphics, and typography are chosen to enhance storytelling. A clean, structured layout ensures that even bold design choices never overwhelm the reader. This approach ensures a seamless reading experience while keeping the magazine visually engaging.
Of course, the tactile nature of print is central to Encore’s identity. The choice of premium paper stock enhances the reading experience, making the magazine feel intentional and high-quality.
“Print is about more than visuals, it’s about the feel of the paper, the weight of the pages, the sensory experience,” notes Spiteri.
Typography plays a key role, with serif fonts adding sophistication to long-form features and sans-serifs used for modern, bold pieces. Layouts are carefully structured to ensure smooth navigation, whether the content is text-heavy or image-driven.
Encore also subtly incorporates Maltese cultural influences. “We include local design elements, whether through textures inspired by Maltese limestone or patterns reminiscent of traditional tiles,” Borg adds. “These details connect the magazine to its roots while keeping it contemporary.”
Looking ahead, both envision continued evolution. “The magazine will always reflect Malta’s cultural scene, and a future revamp isn’t off the table,” says Spiteri. “We’re excited for the next phase,” adds Borg. “Encore will keep adapting to new creative landscapes while staying true to its core identity,” Borg concludes.
