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8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 4 NOVEMBER 2026 CULTURE Arts Council Malta launches national survey on cultural participation The Cultural Participation Survey 2026 will gather insights into how residents across Malta and Gozo engage with arts and culture ARTS Council Malta, in collab- oration with the University of Malta, has launched the Cul- tural Participation Survey 2026, a nationwide research initiative aimed at understanding how people across Malta and Gozo engage with arts and culture in their everyday lives. The survey will explore the cultural activities people enjoy, how frequently they partici- pate, and the factors that influ- ence their choices. It will also look at the challenges that may prevent people from accessing cultural experiences, providing valuable information to sup- port future cultural policy and planning. Building on previous editions, including a comparable study conducted in 2016, the survey will provide an updated picture of cultural participation across the Maltese Islands. At least 1,500 residents will be inter- viewed, with a representative sample collected according to age, gender and district. The research covers a broad range of cultural activities, from attending theatre perfor- mances, concerts, museums, festivals and heritage sites to taking part in music, dance, visual arts, crafts, writing and other creative pursuits. Luke Dalli, Executive Chair- man of Arts Council Malta, said: "Culture is part of our everyday lives. It shapes who we are, brings communities to- gether and gives people oppor- tunities to express themselves. However, if we truly believe that culture is a right for every- one, we must first understand how people engage with it and just as importantly, what may be preventing others from par- ticipating. This survey is not simply about gathering statistics. It is about listening to people, un- derstanding their experiences and ensuring that the decisions we take are informed by the realities of our communities. Through this research, we want to continue building a cultural sector that is more inclusive, accessible and reflective of the diverse interests and aspira- tions of people across Malta and Gozo." Daniel Azzopardi, Director of Strategy at ACM stated "Strat- egy 2030 sets an ambitious di- rection for Malta's arts and cul- ture sector, recognising its vital role in shaping the country's future. This national survey is a crucial step in understanding how far the sector has come, how investment has contrib- uted to its growth, and how we can build on this progress to maximise its social, cultur- al and economic impact in the years ahead." It will also examine how peo- ple engage with culture through digital platforms, their reading and listening habits, language preferences, volunteering and awareness of cultural organisa- tions. Particular attention will be given to understanding bar- riers to participation, includ- ing cost, time, accessibility and transport. The survey will be carried out through telephone interviews using Computer-Assisted Tele- phone Interviewing (CATI), allowing researchers to col- lect information from resi- dents across Malta and Gozo in a structured and consistent manner. Once the interviews are completed, the responses will be analysed to identify par- ticipation patterns, differenc- es between population groups and areas where opportunities for cultural engagement could be improved. The findings will be presented in a scientific report, accompa- nied by statistical analysis and anonymised datasets. These will provide cultural organisa- tions, researchers and public authorities with updated na- tional data to better under- stand audiences, identify gaps in participation and plan initia- tives that respond to the needs and interests of different com- munities. The survey aligns with the im- plementation process of Arts Council Malta's Strategy 2030, which places cultural rights, inclusion and access among its priorities. The findings will help the Council identify gaps in participation and develop initiatives that make arts and culture more accessible to communities across Malta and Gozo. The results are expected to be published in early 2027. For more information visit https://artscouncilmalta.gov. mt. Photo: Darren Agius