|
|
|
| |
|
St James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity first opened its doors to the public on the 22nd September 2000.
As the Maltese Government's Millennium Project it has taken on the role of pushing forward Malta's cultural aspirations.
With a strong commitment to supporting the contemporary creative scene, the Centre's philosophy is to also take in, reflect and support the country's traditional and historical heritage and culture.
Housed in a 16th Century fort, the centre is home to a small theatre-in-the-round, an arthouse cinema, a chamber music room and gallaries.
Now celebrating its 10th year, the centre has welcomed both local and foreign artists, writers, singers and actors, dancers, musicians as well as thinkers, scientists and other creators. It has staged operas and premiered plays, held major exhibitions of contemporary pieces as well as past masters.
It runs courses for adults and children and has been enjoyed for over a million vsiitors in the past 10 years.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
The Mission Statement for St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity focuses on St James' role as a catalyst for the contemporary art scene in Malta, as well as its role as a hub were people of all ages and from all walks of life can join in the enriching act of creativity.
Emphasising the need to foster aesthetic and cultural awareness among the younger generation and the socially and economically disadvantaged, the Mission Statement looks forward to offering an ongoing dialogue between the various artistic disciplines.
It also recognises and stresses the contribution it can make to Malta's economic and social development. In full the Mission Statement reads as follows:
St James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity will contribute to the cultural well-being by
- Acting as a catalyst for all forms of expression, by providing space and extending experience to reach all people an involve them in interactive participation.
- Establishing itself as a centre for cultural exchange with other countries, thus cultivating a sense of cultural identity based on local dimensions and international diversity in the light of Malta's development of cultural tourism.
- Fostering aesthetic and cultural awareness among the younger generation.
- Offering an ongoing dialogue between the various artistic disciplines, in such a way as to conduct and encourage research and documentation related to the arts and popular creativity.
- Contributing to the country's economic and social development and prosperity by promoting artistic creativity as an alternative means of entertainment, self actualisation and empowerment.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
St James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity is run by a purposly created foundation. The Fondazzjoni Centru Ghall-Kreattivita was set up in August 2000. Its present Chairman is a professional educator and artist, Michael Fenech.
The other members of the board are:
Carmel Bonello
Marika Portelli
Immanuel Mifsud
Donald Friggieri
Therese Zammit Lupi
Ms Dawn Cassar is the Board Secretary.
|
|
|
| St James - A Short History | |
| |
|
The building itself is splendid: Immediately after the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, the victorious Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem initiated a series of studies and proposals for a new city to be built on the peninsula of, what was then known as, Mount Sciberras. The outline plan of the new city which was finally approved by the Order was that of Francesco Laparelli de Cortona, one of the outstanding military engineers of that time.
After the laying of the foundation stone of the city named after the Grand Master who led the Order's defensive battles, the first structures to be constructed within the city walls were the Church dedicated to Our Lady of Victories and the adjacent two Cavaliers of St James and St John on the landward side of the city. The purpose of the Cavaliers was essentially to provide raised gun-platforms in order to counteract land attacks. Like its counterpart, St James Cavalier was conceived primarily as a utilitarian building, indicative and typical of its military strategic function.
It has seen many changes in its lifetime, including those made by the British in the nineteenth century. Among other things, it has functioned as a NAAFI, whilst the British were here, and also as the Malta Government Printing Press. But in the last decade of the twentieth century, the Government of Malta commissioned the preparation of the Master Plan for the area within and immediately outside Valletta.
The rehabilitation of St James Cavalier was the first project to be initiated in this grand scheme and, since it's first appearance as Malta's Millennium project, it has attracted an enormous amount of visitors. These first visitors obviously came to see the building itself and the changes that had been made. But by September 2000, St James Cavalier was ready to receive visitors to the Opening Exhibition 'Art in Malta Today'. And since then, the Cavalier has never looked back, as it continues to provide opportunities for creativity in all its aspects.
|
|
|
|
|
St James Cavalier is supported by the Ministry for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports |
