Interartive an online platform for contemporary art and thought dedicated its latest issues to the cultural scene of Malta. I’m now working on the Valletta 2018 residencies for about one year and a half now, so this seemed an excellent opportunity to write about it. It is work in progress of course, but is an exciting and rich experience.
The article focusses on past residence of the Gozo programme, which Valletta 2018 Foundation together with Spazju Kreattiv. 
As you can read the ongoing programme of Gozo residencies already resulted in surprising encounters.
But a part from the Gozo residencies we were also able to set up residencies in unexpected places such as the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre and in the new Interactive Science Centre. The first run by Pamela Baldacchino (Deep Shelter) started mid-2016, and connects art with healing and has evolved a lot. The video’s made by Tim Lewis give an impression of what is developed at SAMOC. The second one, Esplora AiR, brings arts and science together and will start in 2018.
Furthermore scholars/creative/activists/designers in residence are connected to the Design4DCity project, where the common and the liveability a city or space are central.
Each of which thrives on collaboration both on an international and national level, thus when Valletta 2018 comes to an end, the relations build in the years towards the cultural capital year will hopefully lead into a sustainable result afterwards, and has added a strong dimension to a creative and dynamic place of encounters in the Mediterranean.
Enjoy also reading the other articles in the issue and have a look at the online exhibition by Deema Shahin
Ann Laenen 