'The Culture for Health Report showed that art leads to increased social engagement, prevents cognitive decline in older adults, contributes to general well-being, among other things.' - Anna Formosa, applied drama practitioner.

We went to the communities, held a round table and came up with different thematics. We weren’t imposing our research narratives, we were listening to the participants.” - Kristina Borg and Christian Mifsud, Reliving Bighi through Communities’ Stories

'Dementia removes the ability to communicate. But art creates a space to communicate without discrimination.” - Peter Farrugia & Umberto Bugeja, Kuluri u Tifkiriet.

“When people who have the money are the ones who take the decision instead of empowering the NGO to take the decision, that’s the biggest act of pinkwashing.” - Toni Attard, artistic director of EuroprideValletta2023.

Alex Vella Gregory, artistic director of the Jesuits cultural programme: 'Events are accessible to all and entry is by free donation that is not enforced. Importantly, we offer a platform to upcoming artists and a diversity of arts.”

Mary Ann Cauchi, Director Funding and Strategy, delivers her address ahead of this afternoon's workshops: 'On behalf of Arts Council Malta’s whole team we promise to keep working hard. Lots of action needs to happen. Change is the word. And so we promise to keep heading forward.”

Sara Accettura, Dance Coach on Ale’s Project, speaking about the impact of the project on Alessia Bonnici, a musician on the autism spectrum: 'The project sets an example for other young talented people still trying to find their voice.”

'Music can bring about benefits that can be difficult to achieve otherwise. For people with disabilities, music can have a transformative and positive effect, helping them build a positive and dynamic identity. '- Cynthia Bonnici, Graduate in Psychology

“What is the role of the artist? Do what you do best. If you feel able to bring something valuable to a community you have an interest in working with, speak out. Speak out for more accessibility, diversity and inclusion.' - Rosetta Debattista, artistic consultant.

“We need to become more present so that we reach entities like Mater Dei, church, state, NGOs, UNHCR, schools, resource centres, business communities which can take action themselves to implement more access to cultural activities.- Rosetta Debattista, Artistic Consultant.

'Unless you make a commitment to a society, see people with disabilities as being an equal part of society, unless you implement a culture change… then you can tick all the boxes but it’s useless.' Alistair de Gaetano, Chairperson, Autism Advisory Council

“Access and disability within the arts is not about what you should do. But also what you should not do. Culture is a social phenomenon and you can’t just tick the boxes.' Alistair de Gaetano , Chairperson, Autism Advisory Council

'The biggest issue is the risk of disengagement. We live in a world where there’s a constant influx of information. The result can easily be disengagement. Activism via different communities and groups can create the space for engagement.' - Andre Callus, Graffiti

'I became sceptical and uncomfortable with the phrase ‘raising awareness’. Ultimately what does it mean? It does have a very passive meaning. LIke there is someone ‘up there’ preaching to others. Not necessarily, but it can mean that. - Andre Callus, activist, Moviment Graffiti

'Arts Council Malta commissioned a report on arts education in schools and many elements emerged. We are already seeing imbalances from primary education. These are the points which need to be tackled most urgently.' - Nikki Petroni, Education & Development, Arts Council Malta

'Arts education holds the true key to opening skills, which have a positive effect on society. The arts encourage us to think critically, to collaborate and share and to pursue several other valuable attributes.' Nikki Petroni, Education & Development, Arts Council Malta

'Arts Council Malta has been instrumental in the popularisation of culture. But we’re not there just yet. There’s agreement that the arts are crucial to wellbeing but how does a child access culture?' - Ruth Farrugia, Senior Lecturer at the University of Malta

'We are a party to all covenants regarding rights but it doesn’t necessarily translate into a common policy of ethos about those rights. Having a right on paper and being able to enforce it is not the same thing at all. - Ruth Farrugia, Senior Lecturer at the Univeristy of Malta.

'But what we sometimes fail to think about is that the implementation of the right to culture in its broadest sense is not fixed, not a standard to reach once and it’s fixed. It’s not a box to tick.' - Elaine Falzon, Cultural Manager

'When we think of the right to culture from a local and European perspective we assume that we have reached a standard that puts us in a very good position.' - Elaine Falzon, cultural manager.