Professional career paths in the arts in Malta

ARTZ ID July 18, 2020
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In a small country such as Malta, working in an even smaller sector that is the visual arts is tough. An individual is required to wear many hats and single-handedly take on a multitude of tasks to make a living. Such tasks would elsewhere be distributed among a number of specialists. There are certainly advantages to being a ‘jack of all trades’, such as exposure to various aspects of the sector. However, the lack of opportunity to specialise in a career path comes at a cost.

For the general population, unaware of the inner mechanisms of the sector, recognising visual arts as an important sector in its own right is quite hard to do. Understandably so, when from the outside it looks like an effort driven forward by a very small group of artists making art and their friends attending exhibitions. In reality, working in art, even in Malta, offers many more professional career paths that are worth pursuing and definitely deserve more recognition.

Curator

Art curators have various responsibilities depending on the setting they’re working in. A museum curator is typically responsible for acquiring, caring for and developing the collection. An independent curator has their own way of organising exhibitions and work with a variety of artists and exhibition spaces.

Artist

Yes, being an artist is a profession. Even though some may have a restricted vision of what being an artist means, or doubts about its sustainability as a career path. Professional artists play a major role in shaping contemporary culture. They provide society at large with visual and experiential material, opening up significant debates about our ways of living and being in the world.

                        @Thomas Scerri. Photo Credits: Tarunima Sen Chandra    

Artistic Director

These are the individuals running exhibition spaces. They design exhibition programs, invite international artists to show their work locally and make sure that local talent has a platform to be shown. They dedicate their time to putting Malta on the international art world map and showing relevant and thought-provoking artistic material to local audiences

Cultural Manager

Cultural managers are responsible for policies, projects and programs related to art in the community. They take on the important task of getting to know and providing opportunities for individuals and groups within their communities.

Art dealers and gallerists

Commercial gallerists also offer a platform for artists’ visibility. They guide artists who want to develop their work for a buying audience. They connect them with prospective buyers, value and market their work and elevate their profile. Similarly, an art dealer is usually the liaison between an artist and a buyer. They facilitate sale of works sold to individual collectors, museums, galleries and companies.

                       @lilyagiusgallery Photo Credits: Tarunima Sen Chandra 

Writers & critics

The art of today is making the history of tomorrow and there is no history without adequate documentation. Critically writing about art and artists’ practices and reviewing exhibitions, particularly in an age where artwork and events are increasingly temporary, is priceless in making sure that we have relevant sources to look back to and respond to

The artistic sector continues to grow as a contributor to the Maltese economy and society’s well-being. The hope for the future is that more scope is created for these career paths to come to the fore. Just like other occupations, such as being a doctor, a lawyer or an accountant, are accepted and regarded as ‘real jobs’.
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