The premises of the Malta Contemporary Art Foundation in Marsa will become defunct just six months after it got under way with its first collective show.

MCA director Mark Mangion said relocating was always part of his plan and the foundation had no intention of ceasing to exist.

"We have survived the beginning of this very hard venture in just about the hardest of economic times and in one of the most difficult locations - Marsa," he said.

Marsa was an interesting location in terms of its social context. However, it was clear from the founding of the MCA, he said, that this location would be used as a stepping stone into Valletta.

"The MCA is simply moving... we hope by December. We will open with a high-profile international exhibition that is already in the process of being created," he added.

Mr Mangion noted that, although Marsa worked well as a starting point, unlike in large cities, where galleries could be successful in more off-beat areas, it proved to be quite hard for Malta's public to take in.

The running costs at Marsa were also substantial and the foundation hoped to get some kind of subsidised space in the capital.

"We are certain that by being there, we could make a serious and unique contribution to the cultural sector for locals as well as tourists, who are interested in contemporary culture," he said.

"Our current location and limited resources were very much of a struggle, however we have managed to do a lot with very little."

The MCA has already collected 25 international works and is expecting to build a national contemporary art collection of international relevance of over 50 works per year.

Every foreign artist that has come to Malta on a residency programme funded by the MCA did work and donated it. Their individual reactions to Malta were positive and they all saw a successful future for MCA and Malta.

"We have great potential if only given a bit more support," he said.

Mr Mangion, who has been living in Valletta since moving back to Malta some three years ago, thinks the capital is an extraordinary city, which has incredible character and serious cultural and architectural potential. He just hopes the city can move forward into the 21st century.

So, has Mr Mangion set his eyes on any particular venue?

"There are several locations, which I and others believe could make great art centres and communities. Fort St Elmo and the Ospizio are two projects which could work, however they are very long-term... and we cannot see a close future for these. We, as the leading contemporary art centre in Malta, have certainly not been consulted if these projects are to go ahead," he said.

Smaller places such as the St Elmo exams centre, the Valletta market and others could work very well as they were raw and with very little funding could be easily converted into a fully functioning art gallery.

To date, the MCA has received over 20 proposals from all over the world and has also invited artists and curators to work with them on specific projects.

"These projects will go ahead as scheduled," assured Mr Mangion.

MCA was also setting up public art projects and a film section under its expanding umbrella and has future plans to establish an online arts journal and eventually get involved in art publishing.

Mr Mangion said that in the next two years MCA planned to lead contemporary art in Malta and help put some Maltese artists on the international map.