The Centre for Music and the Arts is a specialised centre currently providing Music Therapy, Adapted Music Learning and Arts based group opportunities to children and young people with disAbilities between the ages of 5 and 35.
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To date, it is the only centre of its kind. Regarded by many as a safe space, the Centre for Music and the Arts supports music-making that is creative and adaptable according to each individual’s interests, needs and aptitudes.
The relationship between the service-user and the practitioner is central to the development of new pathways of expression – musical and otherwise.
Artistic expression can help individuals tap into and discover new pathways of communication. This imparts a strong sense of empowerment thereby facilitating one’s active participation in society.
By adopting therapeutically informed methods, the Centre for Music and the Arts supports children and young people with disAbilities to find their musical self, nurture new skills and empower self-expression.
We believe that every person deserves to have equitable opportunities to live life to its fullest potential. The Centre for Music and the Arts project is founded on the belief that all children and young people with disAbilities have a right to culture and access to Music and the Arts.
The Centre for Music and the Arts was inaugurated on the 15th December 2021 with the support of Prof. Adv. Emmanuele F.M. Emanuele di Villabianca, Barone Di Culcasi (Fondazione Terzo Pilastro).
It was officially opened by Alessia Bonnici, Matteo Valentino, Melania Haegdorens, Quiven Ellul, and The Equality in Music Group of the Downs Syndrome Association, in the presence of H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca the visionary and founder of this project and with the support of Prof. Adv. Emanuele F.M. di Villabianca, Barone di Culcasi.
Our story began in March 2021. H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca invited the now Centre for Music and the Lead Creative Advisor, Rosetta Debattista, for an online meeting following their introduction through Alessia Bonnici.
Immediately, the realisation of a common and heartfelt mission synchronised: that of ensuring a much greater access to music and the arts to children and young people with disAbilities.
The following six months were critical in the setting up of the Centre for Music and the Arts. They involved hard work done at speed to ensure that the centre would be set up professionally with solid foundations to meet its objectives, namely: to provide services, conduct outreach work and provide training opportunities for local practitioners.
The Centre for Music and the Arts became operational in November 2021.
The Centre for Music and the Arts constantly works to provide professional music sessions to children and young people with disAbilities. It was set up with a solid foundation of operational procedures to meet the ethical and professional standards our service-users and their families deserve.
The Centre for Music and the Arts recognises the importance of networking with both national and international entities. Its Outreach Programme fosters musical exchanges and professional support within diverse community contexts. At the moment the Centre provides services to Fondazzjoni Nazareth, Sannat Special Unit Gozo and Gaurdian Angel Resource Centre.
Being a new and unique initiative, the Centre for Music and the Arts places great emphasis on professional training. It is, and continues to be, an essential tool to help the team respond and accommodate the needs of the local context; including the provision of local training for Malta-based practitioners to become more creative and skilful in their work within the field of Arts and disAbilities.
The Centre for Music and the Arts supports children and young people with disAbilities to find their musical self, nurture new skills and empower self-expression.
