Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538322
Malta Society of Arts signs MoU with National Archives of Malta 3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 AUGUST 2025 CULTURE THE Malta Society of Arts (MSA) has signed a Memoran- dum of Understanding with the National Archives of Malta (NAM), marking the beginning of a significant collaborative project to preserve, organise and make accessible the MSA's ex- tensive archival collection dat- ing back to its founding in 1852. The signing took place on Fri- day 1 August 2025 at the MSA's headquarters in Valletta. The agreement was formalised by Dr Charles Farrugia, National Ar- chivist and CEO of the National Archives of Malta, and Roderick Camilleri, Acting President of the Malta Society of Arts. To mark the occasion, Dr Far- rugia presented a copy of his publication Maltese Archives... my choice to Mr Camilleri. The book will now form part of the Malta Society of Arts' Melitensia collection. The partnership between the MSA and the NAM signals a renewed commitment to safe- guarding Malta's cultural mem- ory. The archive of the MSA contains a wealth of documents that reflect over 170 years of ar- tistic, educational and social his- tory. Through the MoU, the two institutions aim to ensure the professional preservation and accessibility of this collection for the benefit of researchers, artists and the wider public. The collaboration will begin with an assessment of the MSA's archival holdings and a study of its administrative history in order to establish an effective structure for the archive. This initial step is essential in identi- fying distinct record series and understanding the original con- text in which documents were created. To implement the project, the MSA is issuing a Call for Volun- teers to engage dedicated long- term volunteers to oversee the archival work. NAM will provide expert train- ing to the volunteers in archival processing, records manage- ment, and preservation, includ- ing hands-on sessions held at the National Archives' facilities in Rabat and at the Malta Society of Arts in Valletta. As part of the process, NAM will guide the MSA in producing a high-level archival description, reviewing existing catalogues and assigning a reference code system. Special attention will be given to audiovisual materi- als and digital content, such as photographs and files currently stored on cloud platforms, with NAM advising on best practices for long-term preservation and access. The project also includes plan- ning for future digitisation in- itiatives, with NAM offering guidance on strategy and sus- tainability to ensure that digital records remain accessible and preserved over time. Commenting on the collabo- ration, Dr Charles Farrugia re- marked: "This partnership is in line with the National Archives of Malta's mission to safeguard the collective memory of the Maltese nation through the preservation of and accessibility to the archival heritage of endur- ing value." Roderick Camilleri echoed this sentiment, emphasising the im- portance of the initiative for the MSA: "This collaboration repre- sents a landmark initiative in the professionalisation of the Malta Society of Arts' archival herit- age. With the guidance and ex- pertise of the National Archives of Malta, the MSA is taking a vital step toward opening up its rich historical legacy to current and future generations." The Memorandum of Understanding will initiate a collaborative effort to improve and give public access to the Malta Society of Arts' archive through guidance and support from the National Archives of Malta To apply or learn more on how you can become a vol- unteer, please visit: www.artsmalta.org/event/ CallVolunteers/. Deadline to apply is Friday 5 September 2025.