The public has a greater say in the second edition of Arts Council Malta’s Il-Premju għall-Arti, the national awards celebrating excellence in the arts, as they may nominate their favourite project or artist in two categories.

The Audience Choice Award recognises the most outstanding artistic production of the year based on the audience’s opinion and experience.

Nominated projects will go through two stages: the five selected projects will be announced by a professional adjudication board in February 2019 and pass on to stage two, which involves online voting and televoting by the public.

Last year, the award went to the Malta Amateur Dramatic Club (MADC) for its adaptation of Muriel Spark’s novel The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

The public can also make their nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises individuals who, during their lifetime, have made significant contributions to Malta’s cultural and creative sector. Once nominated, nominees will be evaluated by the adjudication board.

The board reserves the right to nominate a winner in the case where none of the nominees fit the nomination criteria. Only individuals can be nominated for the award. Last year’s winner was Oliver Friggieri.

The official awards ceremony will be held in April 2019.

Nominations are being accepted online until Friday. More information can be found at www.artscouncilmalta.org/funds/il-premju-ghall-arti-2019.