Over the past several months, the Malta Entertainment and Arts Association (MEIA) has received numerous communications from Maltese and international artists, cultural organisations, and participants involved in the Malta Biennale 2026. These communications raised concerns relating to contractual processes, delayed payments, communication failures, professional conduct, unclear negotiations, operational shortcomings, and the overall management of participant relations throughout the Biennale.

Following the publication of its initial statement on these matters, MEIA formally communicated the concerns it had received to Heritage Malta President Mario Cutajar, the Malta Biennale Executive Board, and the Artistic Director. The purpose was clear: to ensure that the issues being raised by participants were brought directly to the attention of the Biennale’s leadership and to open a constructive dialogue on how these concerns could be addressed.

No response was received.

As the Biennale approached its conclusion, further concerns emerged relating to contractual breaches by Heritage Malta, including outstanding payments, unresolved commitments,contractual breaches, and ongoing communication difficulties. Several artists reported being left without clear information regarding matters that directly affected their professional practice and contractual obligations.

In response to these developments, MEIA once again reached out to Heritage Malta President Mario Cutajar, seeking urgent engagement on issues that required immediate attention for participants, some of whom travelled to Malta for the dismantling.

Once again, no response was received.

This continued lack of engagement is deeply concerning. It represents not only a failure to respond to MEIA as the representative body, but also a failure to respond to the artists and cultural practitioners who sought support after contributing their work, time, and expertise to one of Malta’s flagship cultural initiatives.

Public cultural institutions have a responsibility to engage with concerns raised by stakeholders, particularly when those concerns relate to professional standards, contractual obligations, governance, and the treatment of artists. Open dialogue and accountability are essential components of any institution that seeks to operate in the public interest.

MEIA was also disappointed by the public statement issued by Malta Biennale following our original statement. Rather than addressing the specific concerns raised by artists and organisations, the response largely focused on matters unrelated to the issues presented and did little to engage with the experiences being reported by participants.

The concerns raised throughout this process cannot be dismissed as isolated incidents. The volume and consistency of feedback received by MEIA point to issues that warrant serious reflection and review.

It is therefore particularly concerning that a new foundation linked to the Malta Biennale has been announced before the cultural sector has been presented with a transparent assessment of the outcomes, challenges, and lessons emerging from the second edition of the Biennale. Sound governance requires evaluation before expansion. Before new structures are established, there should be a clear understanding of what has worked, what has not, and how concerns raised by participants will be addressed moving forward.

MEIA calls on the newly appointed Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea to undertake a thorough review of the governance and operational structures surrounding the Malta Biennale and to ensure that the concerns raised by artists and cultural organisations are properly addressed. Given the volume and consistency of worrying feedback received from participants, it is essential that these matters are not overlooked and that clear measures are taken to strengthen accountability, transparency, and professional standards.

MEIA also wishes to clarify that the independent community-led survey launched following concerns raised by participants was intended to contribute to a constructive dialogue with Heritage Malta and the Biennale’s leadership. The findings were envisaged as a basis for discussion, reflection, and improvement. However, in the absence of engagement from the relevant authorities, MEIA believes it has a responsibility to ensure that the voices of artists and cultural practitioners are heard. The feedback received through this process will therefore be compiled and shared publicly in the interest of transparency and informed discussion about the future development of the Malta Biennale.

MEIA remains committed to the success of the Malta Biennale and to the continued development of ambitious international cultural initiatives in Malta. However, success cannot be measured solely through visibility. It must also be measured through professional standards, good governance, accountability, and the experience of the artists and cultural practitioners who make such initiatives possible.

The cultural sector deserves transparency. Meaningful dialogue and accountability are essential if trust in Malta’s cultural institutions is to be maintained.