The MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts inaugurated the 10th ICA Festival on Friday, 3 July at Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta. This six-week exhibition highlights the creativity, research, and academic accomplishments of graduating students.

The festival runs from 3 July to 16 August 2026 and features final projects and dissertations by 119 students across 12 Bachelor (Honours) programmes. These include Conservation, Creative Media Production, Fashion, Fine Art, Game Art, Graphic Design, Interactive Digital Media, Journalism, Performing Arts, Photography, Product Design, and Spatial Design.

This year’s festival holds particular significance as it marks the 10th anniversary of the ICA Festival and coincides with MCAST’s 25th anniversary, representing a milestone for both the College and its students. Additionally, this edition features the inaugural graduating class from the Bachelor in Conservation (Honours) programme, further expanding the range of disciplines represented in the exhibition.

The official opening began with a welcome from students Emma Browrigg (BA Hons. Journalism) and Karl Azzopardi (BA Hons. Performing Arts). Dr Martina Caruana, Director of the Institute for the Creative Arts, and Sarah Borg, Programme Executive, also spoke to guests. The evening ended with a closing address by Mr Stephen Vella, Principal and CEO of MCAST.

In his closing address, Mr Stephen Vella emphasized that the works on display extend beyond academic study, representing the outcomes of sustained inquiry, experimentation, and personal expression.

“What we see around us is not simply the result of an assignment or examination. Every piece represents hours of thought, observation, experimentation and perseverance. Above all, every work represents a different perspective, a different way of seeing the world.”

Mr Vella further encouraged visitors to look beyond the completed works and reflect on the underlying concepts. He invited attendees to consider the intentions of each artist and to continue contemplating these questions after leaving the gallery.

“The festival has become a platform where creativity meets research, where art becomes a voice, ideas become conversation, and our students challenge both themselves and society.”

ICA Director Dr Caruana discussed the festival’s evolution over the past decade, noting its transformation from a student project exhibition into a significant platform for creative practice, research, and industry engagement. She expressed gratitude to Arts Council Malta, Spazju Kreattiv, and curator Elyse Tonna and Sarah Chircop for their support, which has introduced a new dimension to this edition.

Spazju Kreattiv Programme Executive Sarah Borg said, “As Malta’s National Centre for Creativity, Spazju Kreattiv is proud to provide MCAST ICA students with a professional platform where creativity can flourish, enabling emerging artists to develop their confidence, showcase their talent, and begin their professional journeys.”

Through installations, films, performances, photography, digital experiences, fashion collections, design projects, and interactive works, students examine topics such as identity, cultural heritage, memory, wellbeing, sustainability, social justice, technology, and the relationship between artificial intelligence and creative practice. This demonstrates the capacity of creative disciplines to address the challenges of modern society.

The MCAST ICA Festival 2026 is open to the public at Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta until 16 August 2026. Entry is free.