Expression of Interest

Artistic Director 

Ħolqa International Youth Arts Festival – Junior College

The mission of the Junior College is to provide a high quality, inclusive and holistic learning experience intended to enhance the knowledge and lifelong skills needed for higher education, active citizenship, employment and life itself. 

The Junior College in collaboration with Arts Council Malta is looking for an Artistic Director for the Ħolqa International Youth Arts Festival.

Ħolqa International Youth Arts Festival:

Ħolqa Festival is an annual multi-disciplinary arts event organised and hosted by the Department of Creative Arts & Design at Junior College, normally held in March. Ħolqa is an opportunity for students aged 16 to 19 to come together as an artistic community in a collaborative and creative environment. The festival holds a supportive educational space for students to give exposure to their art, to hone their artistic skills, to share and discuss them with fellow creatives, and to get a taste of what it feels like to work in the ‘industry’. 

The festival dates for next academic year are set for 24-28 March 2025. Further information is available on the Junior College webpage: https://www.jc.um.edu.mt/ouractivities/holqafestival 

The schedule of the meetings and the work involved shall be discussed and agreed upon with the Chair of the Ħolqa Production Team and the Office of the Principal. The formal office hours shall be carried out between 08:00 and 17:00 from Monday to Friday. Production is expected to commence in late September. 

The appointee is expected to:

• Act as the artistic director of the festival and be an active member of the Ħolqa Production Team and liaise with all the members of the team in matters related to the festival
• Set out a full programme of events that includes: daily performances - performances by JC groups, national and international guests; workshops, lunch breaks, rehearsal schedule, exhibition launch, Metafora sessions (literary open mic sessions), Artists Talk sessions and other related events
• Liaise with the Chair of the Ħolqa Production Team in matters related to committee meetings, application for funds and sponsorship, and the overseeing of the tasks carried out by the festival organising committee and other related roles
• See to the overall logistics of the festival such as overseeing the overall running of the festival and reporting directly to the Chair and the Principal’s Office (ensuring that all activities and initiatives undertaken are in line with the policies and guidelines of the College); overall coordination of theatrical performances and rehearsals by local and international schools; managing and supporting different local and international participants in the running of backstage and preparation of their own performance; overseeing the other main activities of the festival, that is, a visual art exhibition, workshops, Metafora, and afternoon activities
• Be involved in the marketing and public relations related to the festival and liaise with the Communications & Events Office. This may include directing the PR material of the festival, conceptualisation of the marketing products, liaising with the Communications Office in the ordering of promotional material, ensuring a strategy for a good presence on social media, coordinating photographic and video-recording services, be involved in write-ups and physical presence on mass media
• Be involved in the student involvement by promoting workshop packages, give advice with respect to the student management during the festival through the student team leaders 
• Liaise with the hospitality team including the Youth Worker and others involved in these matters
• Liaise with the Chair in relation to budgeting and relevant procurement procedures
• Liaise with the workshop coordinator by offering support in scouting for and engaging workshop facilitators and offering advice in the matter
• Liaise with the JC International Office in coordinating and corresponding with international guest colleges, vetting of international applicants and other related logistics where necessary
• Liaise with Metafora coordinator and language departments by identifying the spoken languages by our international guests and liaising with the Foreign Language department for possible group language facilitators
• Liaise with Art Exhibition coordinator to set up the visual art exhibition by being involved in the communications with participating schools, help in the coordination of students to guide art exhibition tours, assist in the overall setting up and dismantling of the exhibition with the help of Art students 
• Liaise with Ritmu Kulleġġ, Żfin Kulleġġ, Teatru Kulleġġ and JC Orchestra coordinators in matters related to the audition processes and the coordination of the JC performances from November onwards
• Be involved in other duties related to the festival

Remuneration

The remuneration is €5000 (inclusive of VAT). 

Application Procedures

Candidates are required to upload their artistic curriculum vitae in English through this form: https://www.um.edu.mt/hrmd/workatum-general

Applications should be received by Monday, 15 July 2024.

Late applications will not be considered.

Office of the University,

Msida, 19 June 2024

Artistic Director 

Ħolqa International Youth Arts Festival – Junior College