Ten projects are to benefit this year from the President’s Award for Creativity, an arts fund aimed at organisations that provide social and community activities.

The awards were announced during a ceremony held at the Verdala Palace, where 10 project proposals were selected from 17 applications.

In total, the projects will receive around €65,000, with each selected project receiving up to €6,000.

The award provides recognition and support to organisations, mainly those working with vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, to engage them in creativity and arts-driven projects and thereby increase their level of integration and engagement in society.

Putting the artistic,creative and cultural agenda at the forefront

The award aims to support organisations and institutions that target the social needs and well-being of the community at large, especially the more vulnerable sectors and hard-to-reach groups – with a special emphasis on children, young people, minority groups and the elderly, through creativity and art.

It also aims to provide accessibility to disadvantaged groups to a wide range of quality art experiences and art-engagement activities, as well as a platform for young, promising talent.

“We are putting the artistic, creative and cultural agenda at the forefront and we recognise that through art, a person can not only find himself or herself but can also form new relationships, enhancing his   or her other sense of well-being,” President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said.

She added that the presidency was looking to strengthen this programme in the coming years.

The 10 projects will be coordinated by St Jeanne Antide Foundation, Kopin, Opening Doors Association, Down Syndrome Association Malta, Karl Vella Foundation, Youth Residence at Mount Carmel Hospital, Spero: A Training Activity Centre for the Blind, Aġenzija Appoġġ, Youtheme Foundation and Film Grain Foundation.