The Location of Biennale 2024 (maltabiennale.art)

maltabiennale.art 2024 will be held in Malta. Notably, an island that has been challenged in finding its place in existing histories of contemporary Western and non-Western art due to its periods of colonisation and location; that is, being located in the centre of the Mediterranean and on the periphery of Europe. 

Issuing Office 

The issuing office, i.e., MUŻA, is the point of contact for this call. Please refer any enquiries or requests for clarification to info@maltabiennale.art. 

Any clarifications and addenda/updates regarding this call will be published on www.maltabiennale.art. Any requests for clarifications may be sent up to info@maltabiennale.art up to five days before the deadline of the call. 

Scope

The Malta Biennale provides a unique opportunity for any country to exhibit the best of its artistic research in UNESCO city and cultural sites and to be part of a union of history and tradition with a vision of contemporary reality…

Who may Apply for the Pavilions? 

This call is open to countries interested in setting up a pavilion, and to artists regardless of gender, ethnicity, culture or religion.  

Timeframe

• Applications are to be submitted by not later than noon (CET) on Friday 25th August 2023. Applications received before Friday 25th August will be analyzed by the curatorial team. During this phase the curatorial team may ask for clarification.  
• All submissions will be acknowledged and will be dealt with in strictest confidence. 
• Late submissions will not be accepted. 

 

What Support will be Provided for the Pavilions? 

maltabiennale.art shall provide the following to pavilions: 

• Access to exhibit in a World Heritage Site.
• Opportunity to form part of and exhibit in an international programme. 
• Consultancy services for shipping, insurances and accommodation. 
• Technical assistance of the installation through the agencies’ offices. 
• Technical assessment of the exhibition by the agencies’ offices in order to verify compliance with the current Maltese security and safety regulations, and with restrictions related to historic buildings.
• A basic electrical and general lighting system. 
• Internet connection.
• Daytime surveillance of outdoor spaces during closing hours of the exhibition. 
• Night surveillance of outdoor areas.
• Exhibition signage.
• Marketing and promotion of the Biennale – including social media campaigns, a dedicated website, public relations including invitations to key art and culture international journalists.
• A general catalogue covering the entirety of the Biennale. Each pavilion will be entitled to include information about its concept and its artists (complete with installation views). The catalogue will be printed, and a number of free copies will be given to each pavilion. The catalogue will also be available for sale at the Official Book Shop of the Biennale Malta 2024.  
• All the pavilions and their events will be included within an arts and culture mobile application which will have a special maltabiennale.art category.
• A calendar will be developed for the biennial mortar and a public programme of side events which will be organised in addition to the exhibition locations. These will be such things as workshops, performances, talks etc.
• VIP invitations for a selection of guests for the opening ceremony.
  
  

Application Process and Conditions 

• Any country can apply for a pavillion.
• A complete application submission.
• Proposals with missing information, as specified in this call, will be deemed ineligible.  
• Submitting a response to this call is in no way a guarantee that the applying artists, curators, curatorial teams, project managers nor/or pavilions will be selected for the shortlisting nor/or pitching sessions, nor does it prevent any future applicants from responding to future procurement opportunities. 
• The issuance of this call for art pavilions does not constitute a commitment to issue a request for bids, award a contract or pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this call. 

 

Application Response Format 

Responses are to be straightforward, clear, concise and specific to the information requested. For submissions to be considered complete, applicants must provide all the requested information mentioned in this document as well as any other comments, observations or suggestions which may potentially assist MUŻA in shortlisting the applicants.  

Online Application 

Responses to this call are to be submitted via the online application form 

Evaluation Process 

Submitted proposals will be initially screened for eligibility. After which the eligible candidates will be shortlisted and then further assessed by a board of experts that will be purposely appointed and chaired by MUŻA. All applicants will be notified of their results by email.  

Shortlisting 

The evaluation board will meet during an initial evaluation meeting in which all the eligible applications will be discussed. Any further clarifications and/or queries will be communicated to the applicant. A second evaluation board decision meeting will determine the final selection of the applicants.  

All applications, including those that are not shortlisted, will receive their official result notification by Monday 16^th October.  

Shortlisted applicants 

MUŻA may request the applicant/s to present their project during a formal presentation. All costs associated with such presentations will be borne by the applicant/s. 

Selected Pavilions 

• Following the announcement of the selected pavilions, the team will be requested to attend regular online meetings. 
• Nominate a main contact project manager from the team and provide telephone and email contact details for them.
• Delivery of proposed and accepted concept, design, production and execution of the  artwork/exhibition. This is not limited to any materials, equipment, lighting nor other technical requirements to produce and deliver the project.
• Select the artworks to be exhibited within the pavilion.
• Handle communication and contracts with the selected artist/s and/or organisations – including any ancillary intellectual property agreements with third parties.
• The project manager will have to work very closely with the artist/s and curator/s on the logistics, administration, fundraising, accounting, coordination, organisation and production management of the project, and any other requirements needed for the successful delivery of the exhibition. 
• Where necessary, seek insurance and adequate transportation for all required objects and material:  
• Be responsible for travel and accommodation arrangements. 
• Upon confirmation of an accepted application, the pavilion will be assigned a main contact person. The pavilion are to keep the main contact person in the loop with all updates, changes, amendments, developments, etc.  
• The setting up and dismantling of the artwork/exhibition as determined by the rules and regulations of the assigned/confirmed site.  
• To participate in media interviews and any promotional activities whilst supporting the marketing, PR and communications requirements as stipulated by MUŻA. 
• Document and advertise the Biennale through social media in liaison with the organising bodies’ communications team. 
• Attend vernissage week in Malta to promote the exhibition to the press and lead tours. 
• Fulfil any other requirements needed for the successful delivery of the exhibition. 
• The pavilion organisers will cover all costs related to the respective exhibition and display. 
• MUŻA will only be responsible for marketing and PR. 
• Any final decisions are strictly those of the organising bodies.  

 

Participation Fee

The participation fee for each pavilion is €2,000. 

Clarifications and FAQs 

For clarifications and FAQs, potential applicants should refer to www.maltabiennale.art or alternatively send an email to info@maltabiennale.art.  

Confidentiality and Ownership 

This call is both confidential and proprietary to MUŻA. MUŻA reserves the right to recall this call in its entirety or in part. 

The applicant/s shall not include or reference this call in any publicity without prior written approval from MUŻA. The applicant/s accept/s all of the foregoing terms and conditions without exception. 

Disclosure of proposal contents 

All proposal content provided by the applicant/s in accordance with this call will be kept in strict confidence and will not be revealed or discussed with competitors, except to the extent required by law. 

The below steps are necessary to guarantee appropriate submission: 

• Read these clauses carefully and familiarise yourself with the entirety of this call.
• Follow the instructions step by step. Fill in all the required information on the online application and attach the supporting documentation. 
• Submit the application. Applicants should receive an acknowledgement of receipt of their application. If the aforementioned notification is not received, the applicants should contact info@maltabiennale.art to confirm whether the application form has been successfully submitted or not. 
  
  

Available Spaces, Site Plans, Items/Services per Site 

Applicants are requested to take note of the site plans provided. The proposed plans are an indication of the proposed exhibition and are not in any way considered to be the final curatorial outcome. Final stages of the curatorial plan will be discussed and confirmed in writing. 

The pavilions exhibition can be held in one of the spaces mentioned below. The choice will be done according to the concept of the pavillion – matching it with the maltabiennale.art theme and the history of the site.