Role Summary

The Apprentice will support the planning, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of exhibitions, artistic projects, public programmes, residencies, and organisational operations.

The role combines practical training in contemporary curatorial practice with hands-on experience in arts management, project coordination, communications, and international cultural cooperation. Particular emphasis will be placed on the organisation's participation in the MagiC Carpets platform - Beyond What Drifts Us Apart programme.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

●      Assist with exhibition planning, installation, and artistic programme delivery
●      Support curatorial research and preparation of texts and materials
●      Coordinate schedules, logistics, suppliers, and project timelines
●      Support artist liaison and residency activities
●      Assist with talks, screenings, workshops, and public events
●      Contribute to communications, newsletters, website content, and social media
●      Support project documentation, archiving, and reporting
●      Assist with funding applications and partnership development
●      Participate in project meetings and planning processes
●      Support day-to-day organisational operations
●      Assist with activities connected to MagiC Carpets and Beyond What Drifts Us Apart

Qualifications & Skills Requirements

●      Strong interest in visual arts, culture, curatorial practice, or creative industries
●      Good organisational and time-management skills
●      Strong communication and interpersonal skills
●      Ability to work collaboratively within a team
●      Good written and spoken English
●      Basic digital literacy, including Microsoft Office and online communication tools
●      Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
●      Interest in learning through practical experience

Applicants will also need to be eligible for the scheme under Arts Council Malta’s guidelines

Essential Experience
●      Demonstrated interest in contemporary visual arts and culture
●      Ability to work independently and as part of a team
●      Good communication and organisational skills

Desirable Experience

●      Previous volunteering, academic, or professional experience in arts, culture, NGOs, communications, events, or project coordination
●      Experience with social media or digital communications
●      Knowledge of the Maltese cultural sector
●      Experience in research, writing, or content creation

The apprenticeship is a full-time position equivalent to an average of 40 hours per week across the year. The apprentice will normally undertake a minimum of 32 hours per week of project work from the Unfinished office in Valletta, with some flexibility for remote work where appropriate.

As part of exhibitions, residencies, public programmes, and site-specific projects, the apprentice will also work at project locations and exhibition venues across Malta. During installation and project delivery periods, working hours may temporarily increase and involve field-based work. All such activities will be communicated in advance.

The apprentice may also participate in selected international meetings, training activities, and professional exchanges linked to European cooperation projects. Any travel requirements will be planned and communicated with adequate notice.

Benefits (including Mentorship and Training)

The apprentice will benefit from a structured, practice-based learning experience combining mentoring, job shadowing, hands-on project work, and professional development opportunities.

Training will be delivered by the Unfinished Foundation team, providing exposure to key areas of contemporary arts management, including curatorial practice, exhibition-making, project management, communications, fundraising, partnership development, reporting, and cultural administration. The apprentice will receive continuous guidance from experienced professionals while gradually taking on increasing levels of responsibility.

A significant part of the training will take place through direct involvement in live projects, allowing the apprentice to gain practical experience across the full lifecycle of cultural initiatives—from project planning and funding applications to production, public delivery, documentation, and evaluation.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the organisation's participation in MagiC Carpets / Beyond What Drifts Us Apart, an international residency and curatorial programme connecting emerging artists, curators, and local communities. Through this framework, the apprentice will gain first-hand insight into international cultural cooperation, residency programmes, community engagement, and contemporary curatorial methodologies, while also having opportunities to participate in selected professional meetings, exchanges, and training activities.

Regular mentoring sessions and quarterly review meetings will support the apprentice's professional development, monitor progress, and identify future learning goals. The apprenticeship will be led by Elyse Tonna, an independent curator, architect, lecturer, and cultural practitioner with extensive experience in contemporary art, curatorial practice, interdisciplinary research, and international cultural collaboration.

By the end of the apprenticeship, the participant will have developed practical curatorial, organisational, communication, and project management skills, gained experience working within local and international cultural networks, and acquired a comprehensive understanding of how contemporary arts organisations operate in practice.

Interested?

Send a CV and a one-page motivation letter to info@unfinishedartspace.org before 24 August 2026.

Top Tip: Use the motivation letter to tell us about yourself, but also tell us which parts of the apprenticeship interest you most, and how you could contribute to Beyond What Drifts Us Apart.

You’ll later need to create an account with Arts Council Malta and apply for the Apprenticeship Scheme on their portal.

And you can…

Join Arts Council Malta’s Matchmaking Session to meet us and ask any questions you might have:

11 August 2026 | 10:00am – 12:00 noon
Malta Crafts Foundation,
Ta’ Qali

Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu4PgmCkmXf5bEHPGUvHWWeuCSaCDBdePDWgFfMTSs6dpHjQ/viewform