Best Artist
This category will be assessed by an international jury, and the recipient of this award will also be granted a public commission by Heritage Malta.
About the Malta Biennale
Introduction
The Malta Biennale was launched in 2024. The contemporary art platform, which focused on several themes pertinent to and prevalent within the Mediterranean, transformed the Maltese Islands into a melting pot of international artistic activity. The Malta Biennale remains the sole artistic platform to have been granted the distinguished patronage of UNESCO as well as that of the President of the Republic of Malta for both its first and second editions.
Concept & Vision
The brainchild of Heritage Malta Chairman, Mario Cutajar, the Malta Biennale is a unique platform, in that it stands out among other international contemporary art platforms, in concept as well as format. This Biennale lies at the intersection of contemporary art and cultural heritage, marrying the two together through the presentation of all projects and exhibitions within extant venues of historical significance. Museums and sites are transformed for this 11-week period, adding new layers to an already complex and colourful history; thereby presenting an unprecedented challenge, yet also an opportunity for participating artists, practitioners and professionals.
Malta Biennale 2024
From mid-March until the end of May in 2024, the capital city of Valletta was host to some of the primary exhibition sites of the Biennale, with The Three Cities, and Gozo’s Cittadella also presenting major ‘backdrops’ for the artistic platform. Over 100 artists hailing from 35 nations, came together for the first edition of the Malta Biennale, selected out of some 2,500 applications and proposals. Their work was showcased across 21 historic sites, the majority of which administered by Heritage Malta. The themes chosen for the first edition related to the Mediterranean and its culture, to womanhood, piracy and its modern-day relevance, and post-colonialism. The Biennale also featured a total of 14 national and thematic pavilions. France, Germany, China, Austria, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, Italy, Spain, and Malta were the first nations to take part in the 2024 edition.
Malta Biennale 2026
The second edition of the Malta Biennale was held from March 11 to May 29, 2026, with acclaimed international curator, Rosa Martinez, at its helm, as artistic director. The theme chosen for the second edition was: Clean | Clear | Cut, which unfolded across 11 historic sites and museums in Malta and Gozo. Over 130 artists participated in the second edition, within the international exhibition as well as the national and thematic pavilions. The 2026 edition was also accompanied by Satellite Events and a Public Events programme that targeted audiences and communities from across all walks of life.
The Maltese Falcon Award
Best Pavilion
This category recognises the best out of both national and thematic pavilions.
People’s Choice Award
This category will acknowledge the best artwork from the public’s perspective.
2026 Winners
Best Artistic Work
TBA
Best Pavilion
TBA
People's Choice
TBA
2024 Winners
Best Artistic Work
Tereza Antignani
Best Pavilion
The Clean Room
People's Choice
Dolphin Club