The Premju għall-Arti (also known as the Malta Arts Awards) is an awards programme organised by Arts Council Malta that recognises significant achievements within Maltese culture and the creative industries. The ceremony is held biennially and honours artistic work produced during the preceding two years.
The awards were launched in 2017, with the first edition being held in 2018. They acknowledge individuals who have made notable contributions to Maltese cultural life over the course of their careers, as well as outstanding artistic projects. The honours presented include both competitive awards and non-competitive recognitions.
The Premju għall-Arti was initially held annually and broadcast on Maltese national television. Over time, the format changed, and it is now live-streamed on social media platforms and held every two years.
A combination of competitive awards and non-competitive honours are presented at the ceremony. Nominations for the competitive categories are submitted by members of the public. An evaluation board appointed by Arts Council Malta decides on the shortlisted entries and selects the award recipients. Certain categories are decided through a public vote following the board’s shortlisting process, although the specific awards subject to public voting have varied between editions.
The awards handed out have varied slightly between editions. In the 2023 ceremony (the sixth edition), the Best Production Award was divided by individual artforms, as comparing projects from different sectors was not considered an effective approach. The revised categories are now designated as Best Production: Theatre, Best Production: Dance, Best Production: Visual Art, Best Production: Multidisciplinary and Best Production: Music.
Results
+2018 - First EditionAwardNominessWinnersBest Project in The CommunityEquality in Music - Radio Valo Team, Down Syndrome AssociationSetting Up Our Social Enterprise - Nicholas AgiusDarba Waħda - Anna FormosaB'Tal-linja Jaqbillek Żgur - Sean Buhagiar Aħdar id-Deżert - Opening DoorsBest International AchievementFrom Home with Love - ŻfinMalta Dance EnsembleVengeance - Gordon CallejaMalta. Land of Sea - BOZAR Centre of Fine Arts and Heritage MaltaSymphony No. 3 'Eroica' by Ludwig van Beethoven - The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Charlene Farrugia's international performance - Charlene FarrugiaBest Work for Young AudiencesPietru u l-Lupu - The Malta Philharmonic OrchestraIneż Kienet Perf(etta) - Studio 18Shakespeare in pieces - Teatru ManoelShakeshorts presents A Midsummer's Night Dream - Chris Dingli Fanfare Family Concert - The Malta Philharmonic OrchestraBest Artistic Programme or SeasonThe Valletta Film Festival 2017 - The Film Grain FoundationThe Malta Jazz Festival 2017 - Festivals MaltaThe Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Concert Season 2016-2017 - The Malta Philharmonic OrchestraToi Toi Education Programme – Season 2016-2017 - Teatru Manoel ŻiguŻajg Arts Festival for Children and Young People 2016 - Fondazzjoni KreattivitàBest Creative EnterpriseFablab VallettaIniala5 Anvil Game StudiosYoung Artist of the YearLuke ZammitStefan CallejaIsaac LucasLaura Buhagiar Matthew SchembriArtist of the YearLuke ZammitMikhail BasmadjianJonathan Dunn Moveo Dance Company (Dorian Mallia, Diane Portelli)Production of the YearMagic Mouse - Luke ZammitDiaspora - Contact Dance CompanyVenus in Fur - Masquerade Theatre CompanyThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Symphony No. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven, Europe Day Concert - The Malta Philharmonic OrchestraPeople's Choice Award The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - MADCAmbassador for the Arts Award Francis SultanaLifetime Achievement Award Prof. Oliver Friggieri
+2019 - Second EditionAwardNominessWinnersBest Creative EnterpriseStargate Studios Malta - Matthew Pullicino Anvil Games Studios - Andrew FarrugiaInnovation AwardSabuesos - Stargate Studios MaltaRaymond 'Fight' Beck - Teatru MaltaThe Book in the Sea - Glen CallejaChant, Silence, Sounds & Spaces - Jubilate Deo Choir Magna Żmien - Andrew AlamangoArtist of the YearSean BuhagiarJean-Marc CafaLuke Azzopardi The New VictoriansBest Artistic Programme or SeasonŻiguŻajg Arts Festival for Children and Young People 2017 - Fondazzjoni KreattivitàThe Valletta 2018 Cultural Programme - The Valletta 2018 FoundationToi Toi Education Programme - Teatru ManoelThe Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Programme 2017-2018 - The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra The Malta Jazz Festival 2018 - Festivals MaltaBest International AchievementThe Black Hand - AngelcryptHoldfast: Nations at War - Anvil Games StudiosA Tale of Two Cities - David PisaniThe European Tour of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra - The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Kirana, Soundscapes - Ruben ŻahraBest Work for Young AudiencesKanta Kantun - Alex Vella Gregory, Charlo Briguglio and Valletta 2018 FoundationTag - Pamela Kerr and Kostas PapamatthaiakisDare to Dream: MPO Family Funfare - The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Hush - Denise Mulholland and Luke SaydonProduction of the YearErnest and the Pale Moon - The Shrinking VioletsThe Valletta 2018 Opening - The Valletta 2018 FoundationA Hero's Life - The Malta Philharmonic OrchestraThe Crucible - Teatru Manoel Hush - Denise Mulholland and Luke SaydonYoung Artist of the YearAndre AgiusNicola MicallefStefan CallejaThe Malta Youth Orchestra Luke SaydonBest Project in the CommunityĠewwa Barra: Il-Ħasla - Victor Jacono and Valletta 2018 FoundationMagna Żmien - Andrew AlamangoThe Annual Representation of Opening Doors 2018 - Opening Doors AssociationJoan - Drachma Deep Shelter - Pamela Baldacchino and Valletta 2018 FoundationAudience's Choice AwardIlħna Mitlufa - Teatru MaltaIs-Serra - Teatru MaltaIl-Festa il-Kbira - The Valletta 2018 FoundationSkylight - MADC Valletta 2018 Opening - Valletta 2018 FoundationLifetime Achievement Award Richard EnglandHonour for Artistic Legacy Soċjeta' Santa Marija u Banda Re Gorg V MqabbaHonour for Cultural Promoters European Foundation for Support of Culture - Konstantin Ishkhanov
Due to restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Third Edition of the Premju għall-Arti was live-streamed for the first time on Arts Council Malta's Facebook page. The event was held without an audience, and winners delivered their speeches remotely from home. It was hosted by Ray Calleja, Artistic Director of the Premju għall-Arti. +2020 - Third EditionAwardNominessWinnersBest Work for Young Audiences2.0 Watts in the dark - Andre AgiusNimxu Mixja - Kristina Borg, Raffaella Zammit, Gabriel Caruana Foundation AND Kulleġġ Santa Tereża Skola Primarja BirkirkaraNinu - Bettina Paris AND Anton SalibaLord of the Flies - Toi Toi, Teatru Manoel Education Programme Trikki Trakki – Youth Theatre Festival - Teatru MaltaBest Project in The CommunityThe Cospicua short play festival - Kunsill Lokali Bormla and Teatru MaltaDizabilita' Astrofiżika - Grupp Bravi Ax Gravi and CRPD (The Commission for rights of people with disability) Nassaba – Song of a Bird - Teatru MaltaGawGaw A Panto in the Dark - Teatru Malta Nimxu Mixja - Kristina Borg, Raffaella Zammit, Gabriel Caruana Foundation and Kulleġġ Santa Tereża Skola Primarja BirkirkaraBest Artistic Programme or SeasonMalta Jazz Festival 2019 - Festivals MaltaŻiguŻajg 2018 - Fondazzjoni Kreattivita'Teatru Malta Staġun 2018/2019 - Teatru MaltaToi Toi 2018/2019 - Teatru Manoel Education Programme Valletta Design Cluster 2018/2019 - Valletta Cultural AgencyProduction of The YearDe-terminated: The Abortion Diaries - Herman GrechRepubblika Immakulata - Du' TheatreStitching - Unifaun Theatre ProductionsVII (Sette) - Teatru Malta Music in Malta: From Prehistory to Vinyl Exhibition - Fondazzjoni Patrimonju MaltiBest International AchievementNico ContiMara / Rave and Behave - The New VictoriansVoyager - ŻfinMaltaNocturnal Artefacts - Luke Azzopardi Mizzi StudioBest Creative EnterpriseMizzi Studio Moveo Dance CompanyYoung Artist of the YearGabriel ButtiġieġJeremy GrechJessica Ellul Andre’ AgiusArtist of the YearAdrian BuckleManuel CauchiThe New VictoriansTrevor Borg Julian Mallia (Julinu)Award for InnovationMalta Bus Reborn - Mizzi StudiosensitIV - Chris MuscatSette (VII) - Teatru Malta and New VictoriansMACC - Allura Limited GawGaw A Panto in the Dark - Teatru MaltaAudience's Choice AwardIl-Kbir Għadu Ġej - Balzunetta ProductionsJulinu's Radioactive Ravioli - Julian MalliaThe Jew of Malta - MADC (Malta Amateur Dramatic Club)VII (Sette) - Teatru Malta 2.0 Watts in the Dark - Andre’ AgiusLifetime Achievement Award Charles ‘Ic-City’ GattHonour for Cultural Promoters Bank of VallettaHonour for Artistic Legacy L-Għaqda Każini tal-Baned The 2021 Premju għall-Arti covered projects, productions and activities in the cultural and creative sectors between 1 March 2020 and 11 January 2021, a period affected by public health measures introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the fourth edition, nominees were recognised not only for the quality of their work but also for their resilience, innovation and efforts to engage with the community under challenging circumstances.
The ceremony, originally scheduled for 7 April, was postponed to 28 June due to pandemic-related restrictions. It also was streamed without an audience. +2021 - Fourth EditionAwardNominessWinnersBest Initiative during COVID-19 PandemicStejjer waqt il-Kwarantina - Davinia BugejaSong Reborn - Schola Cantorum JubilateToy Piano Project: OUT OF THE CAGE and other performances - Tricia Dawn WilliamsMill-Kċina ta' Connor - Tyrone Grima Artz ID - Maria GaleaBest Production during COVID-19 pandemicTransformations and Translations - Luke AzzopardiVictoria International Arts Festival - Victoria International Arts Festival FoundationIl-Kunċert tal-President għas-Sena l-Ġdida - The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and Festivals MaltaChamber Fridays - The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Festival Żiġużajg 2020 - Fondazzjoni KreattivitàHonour for Artistic Career Karmen AzzopardiHonour of Ambassador for the Arts Kenneth Zammit TabonaHonour for Cultural Promoters APS BankHonour for Artistic Legacy. Għaqda Ħbieb tal-Presepju - Sezzjoni Nadur The fifth edition was held in front of a live audience for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony took place outdoors at Fort St Angelo. This edition was distinctive in limiting each award category to a maximum of three nominees, rather than the usual maximum of five.
+2022 - Fifth EditionAwardNominessWinnersBest Work for Young AudiencesAlice in Wonderless Land - Teatru Malta and Żigużajgħożż il-ħsejjes - Raffaella Zammit & Elyse Tonna from the Gabriel Caruana Foundation, Wen Chin Fu from Instrument Inventors Initiative, Marvin Zammit from Mighty Box & Andrea Pullicino, for ŻiguŻajg The Secret Garden - Valletta Cultural Agency and Lignin StoriesYoung Artist of the YearMarvic MonrealPearl Calleja Anna CallejaBest Project in The Communityfuse - The Valletta Cultural AgencyIl-Pożittivi - Culture Venture L-Imbuljuta: A Panto in the Dark - Spazju Kreattiv, Teatru Malta and EsploraHonour for Artistic Legacy Karnival ta’ Malta - Festivals MaltaAward for National Artistic Excellence Mużika Mużika - Festivals MaltaInnovation AwardAlice in Wonderless Land - Teatru Malta and ŻigużajgŻfinMade - ŻfinMalta, Spazju Kreattiv and Valletta Cultural Agency Zoom - Tyrone Grima, Joseph Galea and Keith ChetcutiBest International AchievementCharles Paul AzzopardiVictoria International Arts Festival - Victoria International Arts Festival Foundation The Nobodies - A Chalk Line Theatre productionBest creative enterpriseCulture Venture Stephanie BorgBest Artistic Programme or seasonToi Toi Season 1st October 2019- 14th March 2020 - Teatru ManoelToi Toi Season 1st October 2020-30th September 2021 - Teatru Manoel Spazju Kreattiv – September 2020 to August 2021 - Fondazzjoni KreattivitàHonour for Cultural Promoters Mark WeingardArtist of The YearFrancesca TranterClaire Tonna BroduAudience’s ChoiceLarinġa Mekkanika - Teatru Malta and ŻigużajgThreaded Fine