The former examinations centre at Fort St Elmo will be transformed into a national centre dedicated to the performing arts, managed by the National Agency for the Performing Arts (NAPA).

As part of an agreement, new facilities will be built at the historical building, including professional rehearsal studios, spaces dedicated to dance, theatre and music, meeting rooms, technical facilities, administrative offices, and dedicated spaces for workshops, education and community meet-ups.

It is intended to serve Malta’s national cultural companies – Teatru Malta, KorMalta and ŻfinMalta – while strengthening collaboration between artists, cultural organisations, educational institutions and international partners.

An agreement was signed yesterday by NAPA CEO Mro Dominic Galea and Permanent Secretary Ramon Deguara.

“This centre will be far more than an administrative headquarters,” Mro Galea said. “We are creating a permanent home for performative arts in Malta – a space where theatre, dance and music can meet under one roof with all the necessary facilities, and where collaboration will become a natural part of the creative process.”

“I thank the Government for this certificate of trust in NAPA and performative arts. We aren’t just opening a new building but we’re giving space to the future of performative arts in Malta.”

Lands Minister Owen Bonnici and Arts Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea described the project as a strategic investment in Malta’s cultural infrastructure while Arts Council Malta Executive Chairperson Luke Dalli said such a space was envisaged in the council’s 2030 strategy.

“Artists don’t only require funding opportunities but also professional infrastructure that allows them to experiment and grow. The NAPA Performing Arts Centre addresses one of the sector’s most important needs – that of a space for art creation and rehearsals.”