‘We need more efficient solutions’ – MEIA calls for long-term vision in 2025 Budget response

“We need more efficient solutions,” wrote the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) in a response to the 2025 budget.

MEIA continued to advocate for a strategic approach that addressed immediate needs while fostering long-term sustainability, “which was still lacking in this budget,” it wrote.

The association underscored the importance of a holistic integrated vision, emphasising collaboration among various stakeholders and ministries to achieve impactful progress.

Long-term vision

MEIA emphasised that the budget once again fell short of establishing a comprehensive long-term vision for the creative sector, which should have prioritised sustainability and addressed current instabilities and realities.

A thriving creative economy requires more than just investment in temporary projects; it needs holistic support that addressed sector-specific professionalisation needs, affordable infrastructure, and integrated cultural education, it added.

Sustainable practices, social security, and effective incentives that could provide stability, aligning the creative economy with broader economic and social growth goals, the association wrote.

Public sector vs. private sector

While MEIA acknowledged the significant progress in strengthening the operations and programmes of public organisations, alongside investments in infrastructure and cultural heritage, it stressed that these efforts had not led to an equitable distribution of resources across the creative sector – this imbalance “has resulted in ongoing competition between the public and private sectors, which is compounded by the absence of targeted initiatives to stimulate private-sector growth.”

MEIA highlighted the critical need to address these disparities, fostering a supportive environment for both sectors to thrive together, reducing the competitive strain and enabling a more collaborative ecosystem.

Overall, the disparities between public and private initiatives were still not acknowledged or addressed according to MEIA, and it underlined that it was crucial to ensure both sectors could thrive collaboratively.

Funding increases – Creative Malta and Arts Council

MEIA welcomed the increase in funding to €2 million for Creative Malta, which MEIA, together with the Malta Producers Association (MPA), had lobbied for earlier in the year.

This increase was seen as a step in the right direction, though MEIA insisted it was insufficient to meet the demands of the sector and should be viewed as part of a long-term plan and vision.

Even though Arts Council Malta received an increase in this budget, it was not substantial and the distribution of this increase still fell short of recognising urgent needs, the association added.

In the budget recommendations, MEIA had called for a substantial increase in investment for the Arts Support Scheme, which catered to various stakeholders in the industry, as well as funding programmes that promoted longevity.

Accessibility to creative spaces

MEIA highlighted an urgent need for incentives to make creative spaces accessible, which were not addressed in the budget recommendations presented by MEIA.

High rental costs pose a significant barrier for many artists and organisations, hindering their ability to create, it stated.

The proposed Marsa Cultural Hub was being proposed by the government as a solution; however, it added, this could not be viewed as the only solution, especially considering that 80 per cent of the area within this facility would be mainly dedicated to the Carnival floats and the long-established needs of the Carnival community.

In the meantime, MEIA continued to advocate for immediate measures to address the lack of affordable access to studio and rehearsal spaces for the creative community at large.

Research and tax considerations

MEIA called attention to the need for dedicated research funding and implementation to support initiatives such as a Wage Regulation Order for creative workers and the National Screen Policy.

The organisation was looking to work with the Commissioner for Revenue on a proposed amendment to the workings of the seven per cent income tax incentive, which was not covered in this budget.

MEIA looked forward to further discussions with the Commissioner to explore suggestions for improving this incentive, as these changes could have significantly impacted the financial sustainability of many in the sector, it commented.

MEIA acknowledged the progress made in recent years; however, it was crucial to recognise the realities and daily challenges faced by industry professionals.

“Many creative professionals  juggle multiple jobs to sustain their practices, while others struggle with limited access to production spaces and high costs, all within a competitive private-public sector environment,” it noted.

MEIA values the ongoing discussions with various ministries and institutions, hoping that these dialogues will lead to actionable outcomes.

Nonetheless, it added that much work remains to achieve a more integrated approach that addresses the needs of Malta’s creative and entertainment sectors holistically and across ministries. A truly effective budget must understand the realities faced today while also recognising the missed opportunities.