MUŻA, a flagship Valletta 2018 project, is the new Fine Arts Museum initative which in practical ways reflects the community.

Valletta 2018 and MUŻA share the identical vision of having an important impact leaving its mark in the vision that art is accessible to all.

Work with the project’s designers is underway following a competition organised in 2013. The winning consortium, made up of two Maltese companies; DTR and CYAN Engineering as well as the Irish company Martello Media and a number of other specialists, was chosen in September. Following this announcement, all 18 submitted proposals were exhibited at Auberge d’Italie during Notte Bianca.

Speaking on the RTK radio programme Valletta 2018: Belt Unika, MUŻA project leader Sandro Debono said that while infrastructural works on the museum will be completed by 2018, it will be enjoyed for years following that.

He described the process underway as a “journey” and possibilities of taking works pertaining to the museum out of Valletta, are being studied.

The project is being designed “with people for people” and the aim is that MUŻA is a community project in which people can participate while the museum provides the tools for interaction.

MUŻA, housed at Auberge d’Italie, will be presented as a story in four parts making the museum much more accessible to its visitors. The first three parts, the Mediterranean, the link with Europe, and Empires, set the stage for the fourth dimension, the artist. The idea is for visitors to experience the museum, to be critical and to ask questions during organised activities. This will be possible with the aid of technology which means are being explored at the moment.

Particular attention is being given to younger generations and school children, in particular, will be encouraged to be inquisitive. Another aspect of the work taking place involves research and this puts children, as well as older generations, into the great picture of exhibited works as part of the museum’s sotry and the emotions which come into play.

The Fine Arts museum started in 1924 by Vincenzo Bonello, Judge Giovanni Bonello’s father, and its artefacts are prized by international museums yet less known by the local community. MUŻA, which will be three times larger than the existent Fine Arts Museum in South Street, Valletta, will make it easier for people to have reason to visit the museum and appreciate it’s artefacts.

The major appointment is for 2018!