Arts Council Malta has announced the nominees for the second edition of Il-Premju għall-Arti, the national arts awards which celebrate the achievements of the cultural and creative sectors.
The award acknowledges excellence in artistic work premiered during the preceding year and are unique in their focus on culture and the arts.
The nominees were selected by a jury of sectoral experts and Arts Council Malta representatives from the nominations submitted through an open call. The winners of all the 11 categories will be announced at the Awards night on April 16.
The public can participate directly by voting for their preferred production of the year through the People’s Choice Award. Voting can be done online through pca.artscouncilmalta.org/ or by calling 2779 0740 and following the instructions.
The categories were selected according to Arts Council Malta’s strategic priorities as outlined in the Council’s Strategy 2020, its five-year plan for the cultural and creative sectors.
A new category introduced this year, the Innovation award, will seek to recognise the most innovative artistic project of the year based on the methodology of research, implementation, display and representation.
The Ambassador of the Arts award will be open for adjudication every three years, with the next appointment in 2021.
Winners will receive a sculpture in glass and ceramic by Maltese artist Kane Cali.
Now in their second year, the awards have already become a yearly appointment for artists and all those involved in the cultural and creative sectors. Tickets for the award ceremony are available through www.kultura.mt.
The first act announced for the awards ceremony is Marcin Patrzalek, an 18-year-old solo guitarist, arranger and composer winner of the biggest Polish TV talent show Must be The Music in 2015 and the Italian TV Got Talent show Tu Si Que Vales in 2018.
Il-Premju għall-Arti is an initiative of Arts Council Malta through the National Fund for Artistic Excellence within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government.
The full list of nominees follows:
Best Creative Enterprise
Anvil Games Studios, Andrew Farrugia
Stargate Studios Malta, Matthew Pullicino
Innovation Award
Sabuesos - Stargate Studios Malta
Raymond ‘Fight’ Beck - Andre Mangion
Magna Żmien - Andrew Alamango
The Book in the Sea - Glen Calleja
Chant, Silence, Sounds & Spaces - Jubilate Deo Choir
Artist of the Year
New Victorians
Sean Buhagiar
Jean-Marc Cafa
Luke Azzopardi
Best Artistic Programme or Season
The Malta Jazz Festival 2018
Festivals Malta
ŻiguŻajg Arts Festival for Children and Young People 2017
Fondazzjoni Kreattività
The Valletta 2018 Cultural Programme
The Valletta 2018 Foundation
Toi Toi Education Programme
Teatru Manoel
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Programme 2017-2018
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
Best International Achievement
The Black Hand
Angelcrypt
Holdfast: Nations at War
Anvil Games Studios
A Tale of Two Cities
David Pisani
Kirana, Soundscapes
Ruben Zahra
The European Tour of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
Best work for young audiences
Kanta Kantun
Alex Vella Gregory and Charlo Briguglio in collaboration with the Valletta 2018 Foundation
Hush
Denise Mulholland and Luke Saydon
Tag
Pamela Kerr and Kostas Papamatthaiakis
Dare to Dream: MPO Family Funfare
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
Production of the Year
Ernest and the Pale Moon
The Shrinking Violets
The Valletta 2018 Opening
The Valletta 2018 Foundation
Hush
Denise Mulholland and Luke Saydon
A Hero’s Life
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
The Crucible
Teatru Manoel
Young Artist of the Year
Andre Agius
Nicola Micallef
Luke Saydon
Stefan Calleja
The Malta Youth Orchestra
Best project in the community
Ġewwa Barra: Il-Ħasla
Victor Jacono in collaboration with the Valletta 2018 Foundation
Magna Żmien
Andrew Alamango
Deep Shelter
Pamela Baldacchino in collaboration with the Valletta 2018
The Annual Representation of Opening Doors 2018
Opening Doors Association
Joan
Drachma
Audiences’ Choice Award
Valletta 2018 Opening - The Valletta 2018
Ilħna Mitlufa - Teatru Malta
Is-Serra - Teatru Malta
Il-Festa il-Kbira - The Valletta 2018 Foundation Skylight - MADC