The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) acknowledges the publication of the 2026 Malta Budget and reiterates the calls put forward through its Budget Recommendations and the Secure Creative Futures campaign for greater stability, reform, and sustained investment within the cultural and creative sectors. While the government’s continued recognition of the sector’s importance is noted, MEIA stresses that fragmented initiatives must give way to a coherent, long-term strategy that ensures structural sustainability, fair access to resources, and improved well-being across the creative community. The creative industries remain a vital pillar of Malta’s social and economic identity, driving innovation, employment, cultural participation, and collective well-being, yet they continue to face persistent challenges that require decisive policy intervention and consistent investment. In the wider national framework, the Budget’s measures to support households, businesses, and structural growth create potential for the creative sector to contribute more significantly to both economic progress and social well-being; however, unless the sector is explicitly integrated into those broader aims, the full impact of the Budget will not be realised by practitioners and small-scale creative enterprises.

MEIA welcomes the introduction of a pilot project aimed at making creative spaces for production more accessible and affordable, a proposal long championed by the association. This represents a positive and necessary step towards addressing one of the sector’s most pressing needs: the lack of adequate and affordable infrastructure for artists and cultural practitioners to produce work. MEIA emphasises that this initiative must be implemented inclusively and ensuring that it is not limited only to the performing arts. The association looks forward to being actively involved in its development and implementation together with other stakeholders to ensure it supports a sustainable and accessible creative production ecosystem.

Furthermore, the inclusion of culture and creativity within economic incentives for startups is a positive development that reflects a growing awareness of the link between creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. MEIA encourages further development of such measures to ensure that creative enterprises are fully integrated within Malta’s broader economic strategy.

However, MEIA remains concerned about the ongoing imbalance in public funding distribution and the absence of a unified vision for the sector’s long-term sustainability. Most notably the Valletta Cultural Agency, which receives an allocation of €4.5 million. Considering the Agency’s scope and remit, this figure raises questions within the cultural community about proportionality, accountability, and equity in public funding.

While substantial allocations continue to be directed toward cultural organisations responsible for running public programmes and events, the share of funding reaching individual artists, independent organisations, and creative enterprises remains disproportionately low. This long-standing imbalance reflects a system that continues to prioritise institutional operations over sector-wide development. MEIA stresses that a more balanced and forward-looking approach is needed, one that empowers diverse cultural operators, strengthens independent practice, and recognises the full ecosystem that sustains Malta’s cultural work.

MEIA recognises the importance and weight carried by Arts Council Malta, as the primary entity responsible for supporting artists and creative practitioners across all disciplines. The association welcomes the increase in funds and programmes announced in this year’s Budget, reflecting a positive move towards strengthening the creative ecosystem and acknowledging the government’s recognition of the sector’s value. These enhanced allocations signal progress; however, much more work remains to ensure that such measures translate into meaningful and lasting reform. When compared to the previously mentioned allocations, the resources made available through the Arts Council remain relatively limited, particularly given that it is the sole entity distributing cultural funds under the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government. Furthermore, MEIA notes that while the Screen Support Grant received a significant increase in 2025, which was a welcome step in strengthening Malta’s film infrastructure, no further incremental adjustment has been introduced in this year’s Budget. This stagnation risks slowing the progress achieved over the past year. Maintaining competitiveness within the international film industry requires consistent and predictable investment that keeps pace with rising production costs and regional incentives. Without continued reinforcement of the fund, Malta risks losing momentum in attracting international productions and in nurturing the growth of local filmmakers.

The overall model of cultural funding has not undergone the structural reform required to reflect the sector’s real economic, social, and well-being impact.The Budget does not address the need to ring-fence funds for independent initiatives, nor does it recognise the increasing competition and price disparities between public and private institutions. Moreover, the lack of mechanisms linking culture to tourism, education, innovation, and well-being continues to limit the sector’s contribution to wider national goals. The absence of reform in this area underscores the urgent need for a strategy that focuses on stability, fairness, and long-term growth.

In conclusion, while MEIA acknowledges the positive steps reflected in the 2026 Budget, it urges the government to prioritise a stable, inclusive, and forward-looking strategy for the cultural and creative industries. Ensuring balanced investment, fostering fair opportunities, and embedding culture across national policy are vital to enabling Malta’s creative community to thrive. MEIA remains committed to working collaboratively with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that reform translates into lasting resilience for the sector.

Main Takeaways

• MEIA reiterates its call for stability, reform, and a long-term strategy for Malta’s cultural and creative industries.
  The creative spaces pilot project is a welcome step but must not be limited to the performing arts and should be implemented inclusively.
  The inclusion of creativity within startup incentives is a positive step and should be further expanded.
• The Budget highlights an imbalance in allocations, with legacy agencies such as the Valletta Cultural Agency receiving €4.5 million, raising concerns about proportionality and concentration within public organisations.
• Public funding remains heavily weighted toward institutional programming, with minimal distribution to the wider creative sector.
• MEIA acknowledges the Arts Council’s central role and the increase in certain funds, but stresses the need for deeper reform to ensure equitable access and continuity.
• The Screen Support Grant must be strengthened to maintain Malta’s competitiveness in film production.
• Greater cross-ministerial collaboration is essential to embed culture within education, innovation, and economic policy.