Malta Arts Fund
The 2008 budget established the Malta Arts Fund in order to assist in the artistic and cultural development of Malta. It aims to support artists and arts organisations in fulfilling and realizing their potential and in advancing their skills and level of professionalism, and consequently contributes to strengthening local artistic practice and cultural development. The Malta Arts Fund supports projects and events ranging from audience development, training, artistic research, marketing activities, organisational development and artistic mobility. The Arts Fund distributes EUR 233 000 allocated by central government and a further EUR 100 000 contributed by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, co-funding 80% of eligible budgets of small projects up to EUR 100 and EUR 5 000 and large projects up to EUR 20 000. Since 2011 the Arts Fund has included within its structure a sub-fund for the support of artist mobility. In 2012 the fund will be extended by a further EUR 100 000 allocated to support Cultural Organisations.
Malta Film Fund
EUR 233 000 each year are directed through the Malta Film Fund since 2009, seeking to encourage the development and production of Maltese films and documentaries, supporting local talents and boosting the national audiovisual industry as a stepping stone to the international market. Funds can be granted for development (feature films and documentaries) by individuals and companies, covering 60% of the eligible budget, and for production (shorts, feature films and documentaries) by registered audiovisual companies with a track record in audiovisual work, covering 50% of the eligible budget.
Additionally, in 2009 it was announced that the Malta Film Commission will set up the required training courses for the production of films to incentivise Maltese talent and to build the required capacity to strengthen this industry in Malta.
Funds for Literature and Authors
Other specific funds were created to support literary creations and cultural research through the Literary Awards Scheme where the best works of poetry, novel-writing, dramatic texts, research material, translations and children’s literature are awarded annually. The Ministry of Education allocates EUR 23 000 annually to the National Book Awards. Additionally a EUR 100 000 fund for the acquisition of books by libraries within the Ministry for Education is being granted yearly since 2010 while, in Budget 2012, EUR 40 000 was allocated for Public Lending Rights for authors and translators of books in Maltese to receive appropriate remuneration when their publications were borrowed from public libraries.
INVEX
In 2011 “INVEX” was launched as an Investment programme to incentivise the professional work of organisations in the fields of art, cultural heritage, and the audiovisual sector. Through this fund, cultural organisations are aided to improve their products, services and internal organisational structures enhancing cultural accessibility and democratisation in the process. Government has committed EUR 150 000 per year to INVEX, enabling the funding of 6 organisations over a three years programme, with a maximum of EUR 25 000 every year for each organisation. Such funds will enhance professional capacities and portfolios by way of organisational growth, research, business and audience development, technological investment and international partnerships.
Digital games Fund and Incentives
After investing in research and a strategy for the development of digital games, Government announced three new measures in 2011 to start implementation in 2012. These are: the establishment of the Malta Games Fund with an investment of 150 000 EUR investing in the development of the local industry through projects related to digital games; a tax credit scheme to Maltese companies wishing to commission educational or promotional digital games, on which credit will be granted on the expenditure incurred on the development of the game or on a maximum expenditure of 15 000 EUR; the extension of a flat 15% income tax scheme for international professionals such as game directors and game designers, with the aim of attracting more experts in the sectors.
Creativity Trust
Additionally the Creativity Trust Fund receives a yearly EUR 200 000 government contribution, and will serve to ensure that investment in the cultural and creative industries is used in a sustainable manner. The trust will also comprise contributions by private sectors. This fund can be used to step up investment in existing schemes, and other new ones. Government also gives fiscal incentives to whoever contributes to this Fund.
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