Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1514570
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 17 JANUARY 2024 COMMERCIAL THE Malta Architecture & Spa- tial Planning (MASP) Awards is being launched for the 5th suc- cessive year. Renowned for its professional exposure to archi- tecture and design projects that transcend the ordinary, today, the awards provide architectur- al firms and interior design stu- dios with a platform for letting their work not just be seen but lead the way for others to find inspiration. Organised by the Planning Authority and under the es- teemed Patronage of the Pres- ident of Malta, these awards have evolved into a symbol of prestige and excellence, cele- brating innovation, sustaina- bility, and the transformative power of creative vision. At the helm of this prestigious event is recently appointed jury Chairperson Helga Ellul whose distinctive perspective promis- es to bring fresh insights to the forefront. Elaborating on the core pur- pose of the MASP brand and its awards, and how they con- tribute to the architecture and design landscape, Ms Ellul said that the MASP Awards are more than just accolades; they symbolise a celebration of ar- chitectural brilliance across di- verse projects, from industrial buildings to private residences, restorations, and heritage sites. "The awards not only recog- nise excellence but also high- light the wealth of innovative projects shaping the architec- tural tapestry of Malta," she said. "I cannot but empha- sise the positive impact of the MASP Awards on the industry, shedding light on the diverse and exceptional projects in Malta. As a former member of the jury, I witnessed first-hand the difficulty in selecting win- ners, a testament to the high calibre of entries." In this upcoming edition, ar- chitectural firms, interior de- sign studios, planners and civil engineers will be able to submit their projects in eleven cate- gories. Architecture students reading a Masters Degree with the Faculty of the Built Envi- ronment at the University of Malta will also be able to sub- mit their projects in a newly in- troduced category - 'Outstand- ing students award'. The call for entries opens on the 15th of January and closes on the 21st February 2024. As in previous editions, the public will have the chance to vote online for their favourite project between the 25th March and 14th April. The number of votes a project attains does not weigh in on the evaluation or outcome of the jury mem- bers' decision which projects to grant the awards. The jury will be made up of a number of for- eign and local high-profile pro- fessionals within the industry. An independent and well-re- spected panel composed of five members will determine who to honour with the President's award. The beneficiary of the award will be a person who would have made an outstand- ing contribution over the years through research, education, theory or practice of architec- ture and the built environment. The award is in recognition of a distinguished lifetime service to the architecture and planning profession. In previous years this award was given to Profes- sor Conrad Thake, AP Valletta co-owner Perit Konrad Buha- giar, Perit Joseph M. Spiteri (posthumous) and Dr Godwin Cassar. 5th edition of MASP Awards launched ARTS Council Malta has announced a collaboration which will see the Malta Society of Arts receive €65,000 in fund- ing for the MSA x ACM Residency Pro- gramme and the 2024 Performing Arts Programme. This educational and artistic initiative aims to increase opportunities for the creative community working in various artistic disciplines, in line with the guid- ing principles forming part of Strategy 2025, Malta's national cultural strategy. The Artist-in-residence Programme will be open to two participants annual- ly, with the Malta Society of Arts offer- ing workspace to participants, while al- lowing them access to lessons and events held at the Society's premises and also providing them with mentoring servic- es on curatorial approaches and project management. The project will be jointly managed by Arts Council Malta and the Malta Soci- ety of Arts with the goal of building and sustaining the arts and creative industry with specific regard to educational and mentorship schemes that would pro- vide artists with more opportunities for professional and creative development. Moreover, it will offer further accessibil- ity to the arts for varied audiences. Director of Funding and Strategy Mary Ann Cauchi said: "Arts Council Malta places a priority on facilitating stronger collaborations between cultural organi- sations and artists and practitioners, in line with our national cultural policy. ACM has always worked to promote in- novation within Malta's cultural and cre- ative sectors, and our strategic success has resulted from fruitful collaborative efforts with a wide range of stakeholders. This new collaboration is yet another example of how ACM plays a vital role in investment, advocacy and support, em- powering and facilitating a sustainable creative economy for artists and prac- titioners, facilitating participation and continuing to serve as strategic leader and catalyst within the arts and cultural sectors." Malta Society of Arts President Adrian Mamo stated: "Thanks to this collabora- tion, we are delighted to be venturing into new territory in terms of an in-house pro- gramme. Together with the Performing Arts Programme that is being launched, the MSA x ACM Residency is part of a wider push to break new ground for an institution with deep cultural memory and roots in the past. Both these initia- tives will serve to bring new voices into the Society and will hopefully also serve artists, practitioners, and audiences in the cultural world. We are glad for the support of the Arts Council, as well as all our collaborators and members of staff, without whom none of this would be pos- sible." Arts Council Malta Head of Strategy Adrian Debattista noted that the profes- sional development of artists and crea- tive practitioners is one of the overar- ching principles of the national cultural strategy, alongside facilitating collabo- ration between cultural operators and institutions. The MSA's Head of Programmes and Initiatives Gabriel Zammit explained that the MSA x ACM Residency Programme is targeted at young and emerging Mal- tese artists and will provide opportunities for mentorship as well as funding and a diverse programme of activities. €65,000 funding for educational and performing arts initiative