Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/204636
23 Opinion maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 2013 Kevin Casha The case for a centre for photography I would like to make a passionate appeal to the authorities on a particular subject which myself, together with other like-minded citizens, have been for a long time trying to lobby on. The issue is all about 'the powers that be' to finally realise the potential, the work, the professionalism, as well as the plight of local photographers and NGO photography organisations. Photographers – among them the professional and the artistic, as well as hobbyists – have until now more or less been ignored when it comes to concrete help. Since 1996 – yes, during the Alfred Sant administration – I have been doing infinite rounds of cultural ministries, parliamentary secretaries, government-funded entities and so on with the aim of trying to get help to set up a place where local photographers can finally have a premises where to meet, where to exhibit, where to set up courses, studios and darkrooms for their members, where to set up a photography museum, where to hold international conventions and workshops. I have heard all the excuses, such as that the Lands department does not even have a list of governmental properties in its possession, or that it is not feasible that every association can have its own premises. The latter argument does perhaps carry some weight, but what about all the buildings going to ruin? What about empty factories? Due to the former argument, I have also pointed out, countless times, some locations which could prove ideal for a National Centre for Photography, but for one reason or another, nothing ever materialised. I am always told that the idea is good, that photographers have been neglected, that it can be done but, over all these years, nothing concrete has ever happened. To set the record straight, I have not been asking for a 'state of the art' premises or anything grand, but a place which, with effort and reasonable funds, could become the reference point for all photographers on our island. Location is also not that important as Malta is reachable and any locality could be considered, as long as there are some parking facilities. Good marketing is what makes a place successful. During my presidency with both the Malta Photographic Society and the Malta Institute of Professional Photography, I have always had this issue in mind and for that reason I have painstakingly tried to collect funds from various activities so that should we ever get this place, we would have some money to embellish it. We are certain that if the photographic community was given a base, we would be able to run it in a professional and feasible manner. If one studies what other countries are doing, the current government could look into a recent heritage law and scheme successfully launched in the United Kingdom. Like us, the UK government has a number of properties which are of historical value and going, unfortunately, to ruin. Naturally, it is impossible to find the enormous amount of funds needed to restructure, restore and maintain such buildings. So the idea is not for the government to do this but for encouraging and involving the private sector, particularly serious NGOs and entities. If a list of properties could be finally drawn up by the Lands department, legislation could be passed offering appropriate buildings to private entities, NGOs, organisations and others who would have the passion and the energy to restore and maintain them. The smaller the properties are, the better, as the NGOs would be more It is a sad state of affairs when such treasures, like the Richard Ellis photographic collection, cannot be made available to the public because it is not housed in appropriate premises capable of handling such properties. The properties could be given out on renewable contracts, (say for five years), and strictly monitored by governmental authorities (MEPA and Heritage Malta could do this job) as to their proper upkeep and maintenance. Every five years, if the 'tenant' keeps to the terms of the contract, the contract would be renewed for another suitable period and so on. If, on the other hand, the tenant defaults, then the property would pass back to the government. I think this is a win-win situation for everyone as it will: 1. Generate some more work in the service, maintenance and building industry. 2. Give a base and working space to various entities that in their own way will generate jobs while running these properties. 3. The properties essentially remain with the government, so they are not being given outright. 4. Arrest deterioration of historical buildings and bring them to their former glory. 5. Enable NGO's to apply and corner funds for these projects from EU sources. Coming to the museum aspect, a photographic museum should have been long established due to the importance that the evolvement of early photography had in Malta. Photography came into the island as early as 1840 so a documentation of Maltese photography will not only depict the various stages of evolvement in the history of photography but nearly two centuries of life in Malta. It is also the appropriate time to establish a museum as with the advent of digital photography, most of the old conventional items are either being disposed of or even thrown away. So an effort must be immediately done to preserve these items for the future. It is a sad state of affairs when such treasures, like the Richard Ellis photographic collection, cannot be made available to the public because it is not housed in appropriate premises. A few years ago, I managed, with the help of the National Archives in Rabat, to collaborate and help set up a digital picture archive. This was achieved through my insistence and to the fact that Charles Farrugia, the National Archivist, not only believed in the idea but pulled up his sleeves and helped. The archives' main aim is to digitise photography collections in Malta so as these would not only be available for online research but would preserve copies of priceless images which would otherwise deteriorate and be lost to us forever. It is a slow and arduous process as funds are never available to continue this work in the manner it deserves. Is it really so difficult to provide some funds for this? We are here talking a couple of thousands per year. Naturally, with the new Labour government, I have again started It is also the appropriate time to establish a museum as with the advent of digital photography, most of the old conventional items are either being disposed of or even thrown away doing the rounds and trying to again for the umpteenth time to push this idea through and get something done. In fact, I have had meetings with various entities, particularly the Permanent Secretary for Culture Jose Herrera, who has kindly received me on various occasions to listen to my arguments and discuss a way forward. I am sure that if there is the right political will, a place can definitely be found to address this issue once and for all and give a tremendous boost to Maltese photography and culture, as well as tourism. This will, once and for all, fill in a glaring gap in the cultural agenda. Kevin Casha is a photographer, former president of Malta Photographic Society and current Chairman, and founder, of the Malta Institute of Professional Photography YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt