Students receive subsidy for cultural events

The government yesterday launched a Culture Card preloaded with €15 to encourage about 15,000 secondary school students to delve into the world of culture.

The card is meant to serve as an incentive for Form I, II and III students to attend cultural events and visit cultural sites.

A maximum of €5 is allowed per transaction to encourage cardholders to attend at least three cultural and artistic events in one year. Cards can be topped up online by family or friends and they also count as discount cards for other cultural and artistic events and services not forming part of the scheme.

The initiative was launched yesterday morning by Education Minister Dolores Cristina and Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco during a ceremony at the Maritime Museum

Grants were also handed out to schools taking part in the Kreattiv project. The government has committed €80,000 to the Kreattiv funding programme to engage educators and creative practitioners in encouraging students to peer into the creative sector.

The funds, to be used over a 12-month period, were awarded to 18 projects, including that proposed by the Bishop’s Conservatory Secondary School in Victoria. Artist Mary Portelli will guide students in their choice of materials, designs and sketches to create an artistic mosaic on one of the school’s walls.