Malta, MICAS opens, new international space dedicated to contemporary art

A new space for contemporary art in Malta: last Oct. 27 opened to the public the Malta International Contemporary Art Space(MICAS), an innovative space for contemporary art that has transformed a historic part of Floriana, a municipality adjacent to the capital Valletta. This new cultural center is the result of a redevelopment and expansion project aimed at attracting artists, experts and enthusiasts from around the world, with the goal of positioning Malta as a leading European creative center.

“We are delighted to finally share with the world what our team has been working so diligently on for the past several years,” said Phyllis Muscat, MICAS CEO and board chair. “Malta’s creative scene is thriving, and the opening of MICAS will put our archipelago on the global artistic map for years to come.”

A redevelopment project for culture

The area of the Floriana ramparts (the “Floriana Lines,” dating back to the 17th century) has been fully redeveloped and converted into a hub dedicated to contemporary art, a hub within an 8,360-square-meter campus that includes 1.400 square meters of indoor exhibition space, gardens with outdoor sculptures, restored fortifications, a store and a café, with the aim of enhancing local history and architecture while opening up new spaces for creativity. MICAS is not just a museum, but an entire cultural district that reflects the island’s historic past and aims to project it into a cutting-edge artistic and cultural future. The rehabilitation project included the renovation of historic buildings and the creation of open-air spaces dedicated to temporary exhibitions, permanent installations and performances.

Floriana, which is located in close proximity to Valletta, is one of Malta’s most historically rich areas, and the opening of MICAS also aims to transform it into a new hub for artists and visitors, making the area a cultural destination that can compete with other European art centers.

A new contemporary art hub

MICAS was conceived with the aim of promoting not only Maltese art, but also international art. Through exhibitions and collaborations with artists from around the world, the space aims to be a place for cultural exchange and dialogue between different artistic disciplines. This global approach aims to make MICAS a hub capable of attracting the attention of curators, critics and visitors of different nationalities who are interested in exploring new trends in contemporary art.

The opening of MICAS is thus an important signal for the European art sector, which sees the island of Malta as a new player on the contemporary scene, a role to which the country increasingly aspires even after the opening of the Malta Biennial. The focus on local art is not accidental: MICAS aims to support and promote the work of Maltese artists, offering them a relevant platform and fostering their integration into an international circuit.

The exhibition program opened with an exhibition by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, which will remain on display until March 2025. The program for the next two years already includes five exhibitions featuring both international artists and celebrated local names. “It is an incredible experience to be the opening artist for MICAS,” says Vasconcelos. “I had never opened a museum before; it doesn’t happen often and it’s a privilege in the art world. I felt a deep connection to Malta as a woman and as an artist. The MICAS space is incredibly unique and we are opening a place of purity, beauty and perfection here.”

Following Joana Vasconcelos’ exhibition, works by Milton Avery, Reggie Burrows Hodges, Ray Pitrè and other local Maltese artists will be presented. Avery, a modern painter and master colorist who has influenced past artists such as Barnett Newman and Mark Rothko, will be exhibited along with a carefully selected group of contemporary artists who continue to be inspired by his approach to art. Painter Reggie Burrows Hodges will present a new exhibition of works, many of them created for the museum.

Malta, MICAS opens, new international space dedicated to contemporary art

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