Construction is currently underway for MICAS, Malta’s first museum for international contemporary art, scheduled to open in Floriana in 2022. With its launch, Malta is about to take a great step forward and become a proactive player in the contemporary art world.
This new dynamic art space is being constructed on the site of the Old Ospizio fortifications in the Floriana district, which is undergoing major restoration to accommodate the new building. MICAS will bring major international exhibitions and collections to Malta for the first time as well as showcasing the work of contemporary Maltese artists. The project is an important legacy of Valletta European Capital of Culture 2018.
During its development, MICAS has launched important site-specific installations by internationally acclaimed artist including Ugo Rondinone and Pierre Huyghe. With its wide-ranging public programme, it aims to positively energise Malta’s cultural ecology and that of the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Phyllis Muscat, Chair, said: "This site was identified in 2015 as the ideal location for MICAS. We are looking at a sustainable approach which combines intensive restoration work of the historic fabric together with an innovative design. Through this we can create a concept that is quite unique. This is precisely what we are doing, adding a contemporary structure as a new layer in conversation with the outstanding military architecture and its socio historic narratives".
Artists can engage with this new platform for contemporary art that will provide them with opportunities to showcase their cutting edge art. Minister for Culture Jose Herrera stated that MICAS is a Government of Malta infrastructural legacy project for the Culture and the Arts sector. He added that the MICAS galleries are co-financed through the European Regional Development Fund.
