Censorship laws should be further updated to allow more freedom and personal choice in artistic expression, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

Speaking during a visit to Wignacourt Museum in Rabat, he said such updating had to respect social norms, especially to protect minors.

A Labour government would set up post-secondary schools of performing arts and sports, an arts school at the University, a national gallery of modern art, a museum for contemporary art and a special fund for those involved in art, music, culture and literature.

A strategy for the national heritage would be drawn up and the National Library and the National Archives would be strengthened.

Dr Muscat also spoke about the film industry, saying more incentives needed to be given.

Culture Minister Mario de Marco reacted by saying that most of Labour’s electoral proposals were already in place or in the pipeline.

Work was to start on setting up an academy of arts and the PN had also proposed an arts campus to incorporate the current schools of drama, dance, music, and arts.

Plans were at an advanced stage for the opening of a museum for contemporary art and discussions on how to go about it were being held with London’s Tate Museum.

Dr de Marco said several funds had helped tens of Maltese artists to develop and show their art abroad.

Labour did not really know what was going on in this sector and how the Government had boosted the creative industry, he said.

With regards to Carnival, the Culture Minister said enthusiasts will have a new village from where they can work and planning permits had already been issued for this €700,000 project in Corradino.