In October this year, the Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS) – the country’s first museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art – opened its doors with an exhibition by Joana Vasconcelos. Invited to sign the museum’s inaugural show, the Portuguese artist presents a selection of her large-scale installations, in dialogue with the heritage project and the architecture of the new building, located in the emblematic Ospizio – a restored 17th century fortress overlooking Marsamxett Harbour and the city of Valletta. Among the pieces that can be visited until March 2025 are Tree of Life, The Garden of Eden and Valkyrie Mumbet.

Then, in November, in connection with a large outdoor sculpture commissioned from Maltese artist Ray Pitre, a selection of his drawings, paintings and sculptural work was added to the exhibition programme. The practice of Pitre, who represented Malta at the 1999 Venice Biennale, is based on his autobiographical memories and personal geographies – themes that unfold in a multiplicity of formats.

The exhibitions on the museum’s agenda from next year until 2026 are already known and reflect a curatorial process that is attentive to pressing issues in the Maltese, European and global context. In May 2025, all the gallery’s spaces will be occupied with a group show of some of Malta’s leading contemporary artists, bringing into focus the richness and diversity of the country’s current production. The exhibition includes names such as Caesar Attard, Austin Camilleri, Joyce Camilleri and Anton Grech, and will also mark the beginning of a regular cycle dedicated to Maltese art.

From October 2025, the museum will also invite the exponent of modernist colour Milton Avery – in dialogue with contemporary artists inspired by his approach, such as Barnett Newman and Mark Rothko – and, from February 2026, Reggie Burrows Hodges, who will present a series of new works created especially for MICAS.

Between commissions and an ambitious programme, MICAS aims to affirm Malta as a global destination for contemporary art, a meeting point between traditions, innovations and cultural dialogues. For full details and the latest news on the cultural centre, visit micas.art.