The Malta Showcase EU Presidency Edition 2016-2017 is produced through a collaboration between the Valletta 2018 Foundation, Arts Council Malta, Fondazzjoni Kreattività and the Parliamentary Secretariat for the EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds within the Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto. Selected artists must be available to tour during 2017.

Following submission, applications go through an evaluation process in which a panel of judges will select works to appear in Malta Showcase. These works must have already been created and available for international presentation. Through Malta Showcase new opportunities for artists and a collaborative platform between cultural organisations and international partners are being created. The aim is to give high end productions a life span beyond a performance or festival week.

Through Malta Showcase, the Valletta 2018 Foundation is leading a coordinated opportunity for actors, musicians and dancers, to export their work and further develop their careers. International audiences and networks are essential for the growth and development of the creative sector and for the professionalisation of artists.

The first edition of Malta Showcase, ‘Portfolio 2014’, was launched in July in collaboration with ŻiguŻajg Arts Festival for Children and Young People, featuring the best of Malta’s repertoire in theatre, music, interactive performances and comedy for young audiences. These performances were commissioned over the past three years by ŻiguŻajg.