The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA), through its Visual Arts Subcommittee, has submitted a detailed proposal in response to the announcement of maltabiennale.art 2026. The recommendations outline a framework to ensure the Biennale becomes more transparent, inclusive, and artist-centred, while supporting curators, collaborators, and audiences alike.

These recommendations were also shared in a recent meeting with Heritage Malta Executive Chair Mario Cutajar, and we appreciate the opportunity for open dialogue and the willingness to engage with the sector.

Key proposals include rebalancing the executive board to include independent professionals with international experience, clarifying institutional roles, and introducing public reporting on programming and budgets. MEIA has also called for timely contracts and payments for artists, and for national pavilions to be commissioned by qualified arts institutions, not solely diplomatic bodies.

To improve curatorial and logistical clarity, the Biennale should publish a clear team structure, including dedicated contacts for production, liaison, press, and transport. A more inclusive invitation policy is recommended, alongside the appointment of professionals in risk management and health and safety. The open call must explicitly include and encourage Maltese artists, and artist support should be expanded beyond a single point of contact.

Artist visibility should be prioritised across all communications, with all participants receiving catalogue copies, full-access passes, and proper accreditation. MEIA also recommends introducing a code of conduct, formalising acquisition and loan procedures, and ensuring ethical engagement throughout the process.

Recommendations extend to artwork care, calling for trained handlers, clear insurance protocols, and risk procedures, as well as streamlined permitting for public installations, training for heritage site staff, and a public programme that aligns with the curatorial vision. Educational outreach, residencies, and contemporary practices should be expanded and made more accessible.

Finally, MEIA calls for reform of the Maltese National Pavilion through an open call process with broader sector representation. All artists, including those represented via the national collection, must be properly credited and kept informed.

These proposals reflect MEIA’s ongoing efforts to advocate for a Biennale that is equitable, internationally respected, and built around the needs of the cultural community it represents.