MEIA lobbies for urgent boost for Malta’s creative sector, fair distribution

The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) is calling for a €2 million increase in funding for Arts Council Malta, specifically targeting the Screen Support Fund for which the association has firmly requested in its recent campaign as an electoral promise following the reaction to the Mediterranean film festival expenditure and the Arts Support Scheme to enhance local production capabilities and increase access to resources.

A new fund is also being proposed targeting Venues and Promoters, to support operational costs and programming. Tax reforms are also a focal point, with proposals to revise the current 7.5% tax rate for creative professionals and a revision of the 150% tax rebate, both revisions aim to broaden the impact and boost the creative ecology in its entirety.

In a statement underlining its proposals for the budget 2025, MEIA said the creative sector in Malta is a critical driver of economic growth, social cohesion, and cultural identity. Since its founding in 2020, the MEIA said it has been committed to fortifying and advocating for the sector’s fair and sustainable development.

While the Government has made notable progress in improving cultural infrastructure, particularly through investments in public cultural organisations (PCOs) and programming, the current resource and budget allocation to public projects and institutions versus the sector at large creates an imbalance that seriously limits the creative’s ecology full potential.

This misalignment has led to significant gaps in funding distribution and necessary operational foundations, leaving Malta’s private creative industries struggling to compete. Despite their capacity to be key drivers of sustainable economic growth, Malta’s creative industries remain undervalued, underfunded and lacking a definitive long-term sustainable plan.

Outdated perceptions about the sector’s role in the modern economy continues to constrain its growth potential. By ensuring an equitable distribution of resources and fostering a more supportive ecosystem for both public and private initiatives to co-exist and collaborate, these proposals seek to promote long-term sustainability and unlock economic and social potential of Malta’s creative sectors.

Whilst other measures include incentives on VAT and additions of sectors to existing structures. These measures aim to foster broader participation in the arts and attract investment into the sector. Additionally, MEIA highlighted the necessity for research and policy development to establish fair wage regulations and create a cohesive National Screen Policy. Operational support through legal and financial advisory services is strongly recommended to assist creative professionals in navigating regulatory challenges.

Accessibility to spaces remains a pressing concern, with high rental costs hindering many creatives from access to spaces thus also affecting their artistic freedom and prosperity. MEIA proposes incentives for property owners and expanded rent subsidies to alleviate these financial burdens. MEIA said it remained committed to working alongside Government stakeholders to create a healthier and stronger creative ecosystem that benefits all of its members, the community and Malta’s citizens, enhances its cultural reputation, and contributes to a diversified and innovative economy.