S.L. 542.5 Art. 3Establishment of Agency.

(1) There shall be established an Agency, to be known as Valletta Cultural Agency, to implement the objectives and perform all those functions established in this Order and to carry forward the legacy of the Foundation.

(2) The Agency shall be a body corporate having a distinct legal personality and capable of entering into contracts, of acquiring and disposing of property of any kind for the purposes of its functions under this Order and any other law, of suing and of being sued, and of doing all such things and entering into all transactions as are incidental to or conducive to the exercise or performance of its functions aforesaid.

(3) The Agency shall be composed of the Chairperson appointed under article 4(3) and of the Board established under article 4(2), and any other unit necessary for the fulfilment of the powers and functions as outlined in this Order.

(4) The Agency shall have the power to formulate its own rules and administrative procedures.

(5) The Agency shall achieve its objectives through the performance, amongst others of the following functions, based on the legacy of the Valletta 2018 Foundation:

(a) to create a comprehensive cultural plan for Valletta that is sustainable, inclusive and equitable, and to oversee its implementation;

(b) to develop and produce an annual cultural programme for Valletta, also in collaboration with other Public Cultural Organisations, to further stimulate inclusion, access and participation while enabling the development of creative skills;

(c) to further support, value and enable traditional cultural community celebrations which are an important part of the social fabric;

(d) to further encourage broad and equitable distribution of and participation in cultural activities throughout Valletta;

(e) to administer funding programmes and budgets in order to assist artists and Public Cultural Organisations based, operating and, or working in Valletta;

(f) to commission temporary works of art for public buildings and sites throughout Valletta;

(g) to protect and promote Valletta’s cultural and artistic heritage;

(h) to establish and uphold standards of excellence for cultural events taking place in Valletta;

(i) to coordinate the bidding process for the next Capital City of Culture title for the Maltese islands; and

(j) to exercise any other function that may be assigned by the Minister responsible for Culture.

(6) In fulfilling its functions, the Agency shall have the power to:

(a) collaborate with Public Cultural Organisations, local councils, non-governmental cultural organisations and other persons for the carrying out of its functions;

(b) enter into arrangements with public bodies, public authorities, government departments, public corporations, and local councils in fulfilling its functions; and

(c) with the consent of the Minister, enter into joint ventures or partnerships for the purpose of fulfilling any of its functions.