The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Chair and Co-Chair for its Arts Education Subcommittee. This change follows Marisha Bonnici’s successful tenure as Chair.
Prof. Raphael Vella, a Professor at the University of Malta, has been appointed Chair. Joining him as Co-Chair is Prof. Isabelle Gatt, who brings decades of experience in theatre and education. Together, they are committed to supporting, advocating for Malta’s arts education and all its stakeholders.
United by a shared vision, they aim to foster a thriving, sustainable arts education ecosystem that contributes meaningfully to the wider cultural and educational landscape. Their priorities include addressing key challenges within the sector, such as strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, enhancing the visibility and value of arts education, and promoting innovative approaches to teaching and learning. They are also committed to expanding opportunities for professional development, supporting creative exchange among educators and students, and cultivating inclusive learning environments that celebrate diverse cultural perspectives.
This leadership transition marks an important step in building on the subcommittee’s strong foundation and past accomplishments. Over the years, the MEIA Arts Education Subcommittee has played a vital role in advancing the conversation around arts education, launching initiatives that highlighted its value within the wider educational framework and contributed to ongoing dialogue around policy development and reform.
The MEIA Executive Committee extends its gratitude to Marisha Bonnici for her dedication and impactful contributions to the committee. The committee now looks forward to collaborating with Raphael Vella and Isabelle Gatt as they continue to drive its mission forward. Their leadership is expected to leave a lasting legacy in Malta’s educational industry.
Raphael Vella
CHAIR
Raphael Vella is a Professor of Art Education and Socially Engaged Art at the Faculty of Education, University of Malta. His research interests include socially engaged practices in contemporary art and issues of sustainability in art education.
He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and his books include Artist-Teachers in Context: International Dialogues (Sense, 2016), Art – Ethics – Education, co-edited with C.-P. Buschkühle and D. Atkinson (2020, Brill/Sense) and Documents of Socially Engaged Art, co-edited with M. Sarantou (2021, InSEA).
He has also been active as an artist since the 1980s and as a curator since the early 2000s. In 2014 he conceived the Valletta International Visual Arts festival (VIVA) and directed the first two editions (2014, 2015). His artistic work has been shown in many exhibitions in different countries, including Italy, Malta, Germany, France, the UK, Argentina, the US, Canada, Japan and New Zealand. In 2017, he was selected as the co-curator of the Malta Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2017.
Isabelle Gatt
CO-CHAIR
Isabelle Gatt is Associate Professor of Drama Education and Applied Theatre at the University of Malta. She brings over 30 years of experience as an educator, theatre-maker, and advocate for the arts in education and community settings.
She lectures nationally and internationally, across the full educational spectrum, from early childhood and primary to secondary, youth, and adult education. Her work focuses on applied theatre and creative pedagogy, particularly with schools, youth centres, rehabilitation programmes, and Active Aging Centres.
Gatt has devised and directed theatre with and for young people, including as founder of Teatru Qroqq Projects and as a director for various editions of Teatru Malta’s Trikki Trakki youth festival.
Her publications appear in journals such as Drama Research, International Journal of Performance Arts and Digital Media, and Research in Arts and Education.
She formerly served on the boards of Arts Council Malta and Spazju Kreattiv, contributing to cultural policy, and continues to advocate for inclusive, participatory, and socially engaged arts.