The Presidency’s Cultural Programme - Season 2025/26

Background

The Presidency’s artistic and cultural programme at San Anton Palace has promoted artistic talent in various forms, particularly in the performing arts, through a dedicated programme promoted in collaboration with national stakeholders.

Commencing in October, the Presidency’s Cultural Programme will promote the performing arts through a curated programme selected by a panel of designated experts in the field.

The Office of the Presidency (OPR) is therefore keen to hear from local performers interested in featuring in the first season of the current Presidency’s Cultural Programme.

Programme Format

The programme will cover the period from October 2025 to May 2026 and include regularly scheduled concerts and performances, selected based on merit and quality, in response to four proposed themes chosen by the designated panel of experts.

The themes for this season are the Four Es

Environment
Emotions
Egalitarianism
Education

Music has served as an abstract form for expressing ideas via instrumental music, protest songs, and controversial performances as it enables the community to connect with its immediate and remote environment while voicing their collective/individual emotions as an egalitarian means of education. Consequently, music serves as a vital link in advocating and sustaining human heritage via Environment, Emotions, Egalitarianism, and Education.

The call is open to soloists and ensembles of up to five performers, including woodwind, strings, brass, and percussion, as well as voice, with a representative repertoire spanning from early to contemporary music. Variety is strongly encouraged with particular reference to contemporary music by Maltese composers. Proposals from mid-student-level candidates shall also be considered.

What will the programme cover?

The Office of the President shall cover most of the organisational costs of the proposed performance. These shall include

  1. Invites and a post-performance reception.
  2. An events programme featuring a brief CV of the performer/s and the selected musical pieces.
  3. Publicity and promotion of the Office of the President’s official website.
  4. Basic technical assistance with sound and video (if required).

Additional requirements, including specific technical assistance and additional sound or media hardware, shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How can I apply?

Applicants are invited to send notice of interest to be considered for the Presidency’s cultural programme, including the reasons why they ought to be considered by the selection board.

The application shall include:

  1. A brief description of the proposed event, including number of performers and format.
  2. A brief CV highlighting the track record of the candidate/s.
  3. A recent recording (1-3 minutes) of your performance. The video should be recorded in one take on a standard recording device, such as a smartphone. The file should be in MP4 or any other compatible format for instant playback.
  4. A covering note providing the reasons why the selection committee should consider the candidate/s proposal.

Applications are to be sent to [email protected] at the latest by 30 August 2025, noon. Late submissions shall not be considered eligible.

When will I receive feedback?

Submissions will be vetted and shortlisted by a purposely appointed selection committee. Ineligible candidates, or candidates submitting incomplete applications, shall be immediately notified. Shortlisted eligible candidates shall be contacted to sit for an audition.

The final list of selected proposals shall be made public on the Office of the President’s website, and the chosen projects to feature in the President’s Cultural Programme shall be asked to sign an agreement regulating their contribution to the programme.