The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) congratulates Dr. Luke Dalli on his recent appointment as Executive Chair of Arts Council Malta.

Over the years, MEIA has developed a strong and constructive relationship with Arts Council Malta. We recognise the importance of this national agency, which plays a central role in shaping and supporting the cultural and creative sectors, directly impacting the lives and livelihoods of thousands of professionals. We look forward to continuing open dialogue and constructive cooperation in support of the sector’s growth and development under Dr. Dalli’s leadership.

That said, we must once again raise a concern that MEIA has consistently highlighted, and which is widely shared across the sector: the continued appointment of cultural leadership through political channels, rather than through independent, transparent, arm’s-length processes. Our concern is not with the person appointed but with the process itself, which undermines hope for anyone within the cultural sector to reach such positions. This process diminishes trust and sense of opportunity to those who have dedicated years of full-time careers to cultural management and development.

We reaffirm our longstanding position that key cultural leadership roles should be filled through transparent and independent processes. This is essential to ensure credibility, good governance, and public confidence in our cultural institutions.

We also take this opportunity to thank Mr. Albert Marshall for his years of dedicated service and his contribution to the development of Arts Council Malta and the wider cultural sector.

MEIA looks forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with Arts Council Malta and other public institutions, working together for the progression, development, and support of Malta’s cultural and creative sectors.