MCAST launched the 5^th edition of the MCAST ICA Festival – ‘Diversify’, which will run till 25 July at Spazju Kreattiv. The festival showcases the creative work of the final-year BA students from MCAST’s Institute for the Creative Arts (ICA). The festival serves as a bridge between MCAST ICA and the local arts and design community. It celebrates the students’ creativity and hard work while highlighting its relevance to industry stakeholders.

This year, students worked on creative projects revolving around giving people hope for a better future, showing the diversity found within the institute through various projects. Various study areas are featured in this edition including, creative media production, fashion, fine arts, game art, visual design, graphic design, interactive media, journalism, performing arts, photography, product design and spatial design.

Speaking at the festival’s opening, MCAST Deputy Principal for Arts and Social Sciences Dr Tatjana Chircop said: “This festival and the opportunity to exhibit work is a defining moment in our students’ learning journey. Nurturing the learner’s creativity and preparing students thoroughly for the world of work is at the heart of what the College stands for. It is a privilege to see the creative energy of these talented students who are the new generation of creatives and will now join the arts community and take the next step to enter the workplace.”

MCAST ICA Director Dr Martina Caruana highlighted the theme of this year’s edition that adopts a light-hearted aesthetic to counter the sobriety of the challenging COVID-19 experience. It celebrates diversity on many levels, from the micro-level of the unique identity of individual students’ outputs to the broader levels of the diversity illustrated through international and industry experiences.

Fondazzjoni Kreattività Chairman Rupert Cefai said: “The collaboration between Fondazzjoni  Kreattività and MCAST is integral to the Spazju Kreattiv programme. We provide opportunities to emerging artists and engage students exhibiting their respective artworks into creative expression. This, in turn, brings the creative arts closer to young people and encourage their creative development to foster their participation in future years.”

Spazju Kreattiv Artistic Director Daniel Azzopardi stated: “It is a pleasure to be hosting this festival, which has become a cornerstone of our annual programme. Through this collaboration with MCAST, Spazju Kreativ serves as the fitting platform for emerging creatives to become more accustomed to professional practises and exchange ideas and ways of thinking. May this partnership continue to flourish in the future, with Spazju Kreattiv being the focal point for the nurturing of new talent, advocating excellence, and stimulating business opportunities.”

Arts Council Malta Funding and Strategy Director Mary Ann Cauchi emphasised that education was a priority in the Council’s strategy. She thanks educators for their crucial role and encouraged students to seek support as they progress in their chosen career path.

MCAST will also provide career guidance to prospective MCAST students during the festival. The guidance sessions at Spazju Kreativ will be held from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm on 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 July. A morning session will also be held on  6 July from 10 am till noon. It is an opportunity for aspiring students to ask questions about the courses offered and career pathways.

The festival will be open from Friday 2 till Sunday 25 July (Tuesday-Friday 9.00 am – 9.00 pm; Saturday-Sunday 10.00 am – 9.00 pm). For further information, please visit our festival Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/icafestival.

Arts Council Malta and Spazju Kreattiv support this event.