The computer-based creative arts industry, which incorporates activities such as making games for consoles, developing websites, edutainment, online gaming and movie development, is today a multi-million euro industry. People working in the industry are either technology graduates with an interest in art, or artists proficient in technology.
St Martin's Institute of IT, Hamrun, is now offering Maltese and international students the opportunity to read in Malta for an undergraduate degree in creative computing led by Goldsmiths College, University of London, whose fame in the UK as a centre for the creative arts is unsurpassed.
Details about the programme will be given at an information meeting at the institute to be held on March 24 at 6 p.m. Call 2123 5451 or e-mail infodesk@stmartins.edu to receive an invitation. Details on St Martin's other programmes are available at www.stmartins.edu.
The IT institute's principal Charles Theuma pointed out that Malta was the first country outside the UK where the course was being offered. He commented: "This a technology degree which deals with the manipulation of image, sound, and motion, the development of interactive multimedia as well as other more advanced aspects of creative interaction with the human being. Already a good number of students have embarked on this programme in 2007, and we are very excited with the potential these students are showing, as well as the interest of the creative industry in these future graduates."
Mr Theuma added that international companies involved in animation and multimedia are already very interested in the potential of Malta, especially since a mediacity is planned to be developed within SmartCity.
He also announced that St Martin's would also be participating in the Digital Arts Expo, Malta's first-ever conference and exhibition to focus on digital creativity, which is to be held at the Hilton conference centre in Portomaso, St Julian's, from July 2 to 6.
The five-day event is aimed at professionals and enthusiasts in the digital media industry interested in learning about how the newest digital art technology and the changes that have occurred in the respective fields can be used to enable and transform businesses.
By visiting the DA Expo 2008 website www.digitalartsexpo.com one can register for a free entry ticket and access information about the exhibitors, details on the workshops and the people involved. It also includes regularly updated articles on technique and practice, as well as digitally-created material.