MEIA BUDGET 2026 Recommendations

MEIA has just launched its 2026 Budget Recommendations, this year with a campaign:

SECURE CREATIVE FUTURES

STABILISE. REFORM. INVEST.

This year, MEIA is putting forward 33 concrete recommendations across eight reform pillars, offering a clear roadmap to tackle systemic challenges and unlock the full potential of Malta’s cultural and creative sectors.

Over the past decade, Malta’s arts and creative industries have grown in visibility and impact, thanks to funding schemes, international collaborations, and landmark infrastructure projects. Yet despite this growth, our sector remains fragile: short-term funding, insecure incomes, and limited protections continue to threaten independent organisations and professionals.

The campaign rests on three reform drivers:

1. Stabilise – guarantee continuity, fair pay, affordable spaces, and reliable data.

2. Reform – modernise outdated tax, funding, and governance systems.

3. Invest – strengthen skills, audiences, and digital innovation for global competitiveness.

Highlights of the 33 recommendations:

1. National Cultural Partnership Fund: Rolling 3-5 year agreements for independent organisations.

2. Workforce Protection: Fair Pay Framework, shared Arts Insurance for freelancers, and Legal Aid Fund.

3. Financial Incentives & Cash Rebates: Cultural cash rebates, box-office support for Maltese films, and publishing subsidies.

4. Arts Council Funding Reform: Expanded project funding, Basic Income pilot, Ecosystem development funds and international support.

5. Creative Infrastructure & Spaces: 10-year plan for venues, studios, and grassroots hubs, plus adaptive reuse of buildings. Private landlords incentives.

6. Research & Evidence: National research framework, audience surveys, and Creative Economy Report for informed decision-making.

7. Skills & Education: Arts in schools, teacher support, Creative Skills Fund, and AI & digital innovation programs.

8. Finance, Tax & Governance Reform: Tax, VAT, and donation reforms; and a new Inter-Ministerial Creative Economy Council.

These recommendations are strategic investments, not handouts, designed to deliver fairer jobs, stronger businesses, higher revenues, wider community access, and enhanced international competitiveness.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K04CpH36_sjgxhSHBLsMcw_GAxCdv-Da/view

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

MEIA is inviting all members, artists, cultural professionals, organisations, and audiences to support the Secure Creative Futures campaign.

➡︎ How can you help? Download the campaign banner and share it online to help ensure culture is recognised as a key pillar in this year’s budget and in national conventions.