The Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST) together with the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA), won the best project in community, with the performance (B’) Saħħtek during the sixth edition of the Premju Ghall-Arti festival held at the Teatru Manoel.

This is the first time ever since the Awards have been launched in 2018 that an Institute at MCAST was shortlisted and eventually won the award. MCAST senior lecturer at the Institute of Creative Arts Dr Tyrone Grima together with a group of MCAST students following courses in Performing Arts at the College, worked on the performance (B’) Saħħtek, competing against other local artists within the local industry.

(B’)Saħħtek focused on the narratives of two young people, a man and a woman, who had eating disorders. The play explored how this impacted on theme and the relationships with their significant others, and how the characters started their journey towards well-being. The artistic process took a whole year. During the production phase, students covered the theoretical dimension and learnt techniques of how to work artistically with the community, a process which helped them generate ideas. Together with their lecturers, students managed all the departments of the production, including lights, sound, costumes, make-up, set and marketing.

Dr Tyrone Grima stated, “Our students in all our departments are not only trained to be industry-relevant but moreover to explore the techniques and the craftsmanship that facilitate the spiritual depths that the arts reach. In a safe manner, we push our students to delve further and to reach the highest professional standards in such a manner that they engage with thought-provoking material.”

Prominent practitioners from the creative industry were invited to watch the performances. As part of the judging process the students answered questions on the artistic process by these practitioners after every performance. Apart from providing them with a platform to reflect on their praxis, these sessions served as an excellent networking opportunity.

Moreover, four other lecturers from the Institute of Creative Arts, were nominated for their works, and three of them won awards. Dr Victor Jacono won the Award for national excellence with Il-Qfil u l-Ħelsien Skont Manwel Dimech a production by Teatru Malta. Joseph Smith and Therese Debono won the Best Visual Arts Production with their production, Spaces in Suspension. Darren Tanti nominated in the visual arts category.

Premju għall-Arti is an initiative by the Maltese Arts Council that celebrates the notable achievements of Malta’s cultural and creative industries. This initiative aims to continue enriching the local cultural landscape and demonstrate a commitment to nurturing and promoting a thriving arts community where imagination and creativity can flourish.

 

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