time to explore with esplora
Youth agency opens its doors, invites young creatives
A number of programmes for young creative are currently on offer, by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, including Chiasmus, Shifting Contexts II, Kjażmu and IdejARTI, all of which form part of the agency’s empowerment programme that was launched this summer.
The point of the programmes is to add value for youths, through special collaborations as well as by giving them the opportunity to network with other creatives. The programmes provide them with a visible role in the arts, granting them with opportunities to grow and develop even further.
Kjażmu and Chiasmus
Kjażmu and Chiasmus are two separate programmes, aimed at encouraging young people who are interested in literary writing, to develop their talents and writing skills.
Starting with Kjażmu, the it is aimed at youths whose passion is writing Maltese. Chiasmus, on the other hand, reaches out to those who write in English. Successful applicants will be supported through mentorship leading to the development of their own original short stories or collection of poems, in the form of a chapbook, as part of a series, which Aġenzija Żgħażagħ plans on publishing every year.
Clare Azzopardi and Leanne Ellul, established authors, are collaborating with the agency on this project.
Both programmes are focused on youths aged between 16 and 25 and the deadline for applications is 15 of October.
Shifting Contexts II
Shifting Contexts II is a visual art project, coming through the collaboration of the agency and Spazju Kreattiv, following the successful art project that was launched back in 2018, and will again result in an exhibition curated by Trevor Borg. It aims to encourage young people to develop a critical proposal responding to the theme: change.
Submissions will be shortlisted with chosen artists/collectives receiving an honorarium to support their work.
The projects, including aspects of the creative research process, will be presented in an exhibition at Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta. The best work will be awarded €600, with the winning artist/s being given support to set up their own dedicated exhibition at a later stage at Spazju Kreattiv. Submissions may be affected by individuals or by art collectives of not more than four young people. The programme is open to young people between the ages of 19 and 30 with Maltese ID or residence permit. The deadline for submissions is 10 September.
IdejARTI
IdejARTI – skultura, comes through another collaboration of Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, this time with Mikiel Anton Vassalli College – Malta School of Art. This programme is focussed on providing young creatives a focus on the creation of three-dimensional art, including sculptural art, installation art and artwork that explores the architectural and spatial dimensions.
IdejARTI is grounded on a mentorship approach which involves tutorials, seminars and peer critiques, through which young creatives will be encouraged to research, explore, experiment with materials, processes, and techniques and develop a personal concept through a process-based journey that will manifest itself in creating a final artwork.
The programme will come to an end with a final exhibition of projects developed by each participating creative.
The winner, selected by a panel of professional judges, will be awarded the opportunity to attend an art workshop or short course overseas of a maximum amount of €5,400, fully funded by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ.
The programme is open to young people 18-30 years old.
More details on each programme and their respective application processes may be found on the guidelines which can be accessed from the website youth.gov.mt or may otherwise be requested by e-mailing agenzija.zghazagh@gov.mt. Young people may also log on to the Aġenzija Żgħażagħ website, youth.gov.mt, to explore different opportunities available through the empowerment programme.
