Labour proposals on culture already done – de Marco

Tourism and Culture Minister Mario de Marco this afternoon criticised Labour on its  ‘lack of vision’ in the cultural sector stating that most of Labour’s electoral proposals were  already in place or were in the pipeline.

Giving details of the many initiatives taken during the current legislature in this sector, Dr de Marco said that while in other countries there was a cut in the budget for culture, Malta managed to increase its funding from €14 million in 2008 to€ 28 million last year.

He said that work on the setting up of an Academy of Arts, mentioned by Labour as one of its proposals, was already in the pipeline and the PN was already proposing the setting of an arts campus which would incorporate the current schools of drama, dance, music, and arts. He also said that plans were  at an advanced stage for the opening of a Museum for Contemporary aArt and talks  were  being held with London’s Tate Museum on how best this museum should be developed.

Dr de Marco also listed incentives related to the cultural sector which in the past years had helped tens of Maltese artists to develop their specialisations and show their art abroad.

With regards to Carnival, Dr De Marco said that enthusiasts would have a new village from where they could work and MEPA permits had already been issued for this €700,000 project in Corradino.