Valletta Contemporary

Valletta Contemporary, often shortened to VC, is an independent exhibition space and art gallery in the lower east end of Valletta. It sits away from the busier streets of the city centre, in a 400-year-old former warehouse whose stone vaults have been fitted with modern gallery spaces without losing the building's original character.

The gallery opened to the public in April 2018 and is run by the Norbert Francis Attard Foundation, formerly known as the META Foundation. For visitors who like to pair the Knights' history of the capital with something from the present day, it is a rewarding stop, and it is listed in our art galleries in Malta directory.

Exhibitions

The programme is made up of temporary exhibitions that run throughout the year, featuring influential local and international contemporary artists. A key aim is internationalisation: to spark exchange between Maltese audiences and artists, galleries and curators from abroad. Past shows, upcoming exhibitions and interviews with artists and curators are all published on the gallery's website and blog.

The gallery also works with other local and international organisations and collectors to run outreach, educational and knowledge-sharing projects, so there is often more going on than a single show. The central vision is to present art as a catalyst for discussion, social cohesion and cultural discovery, and the staff and volunteers who have supported the gallery since 2018 share that aim. Expect a space that invites conversation rather than a silent walk past the walls, with room to linger in the vaulted halls.

The gallery shop

VC has its own gallery shop, which promotes the appreciation and enjoyment of contemporary art and design. The retail space supports selected emerging artists and designers from Malta and abroad, and the online shop is organised by local brands, categories and designers and brands, with staff favourites highlighted.

If you are looking for a gift that is a long way from a fridge magnet, it is a good place to browse. Wednesday to Saturday afternoon is the time to visit in person.

Residencies, team and getting involved

The artist residency programme introduces artists and creative practitioners to Gozo as an inspiring Mediterranean setting for exploration and discovery. It has been running since 2001 and offers intercultural exchange, self-directed professional development and chances to collaborate. Residents can stay for a minimum of two weeks and up to three months. Our Gozo guide and hotels in Gozo page are useful starting points for anyone drawn to the idea.

The foundation is led by its founder and artistic director, Norbert Francis Attard, with Maria Eileen Fsadni as gallery manager, a gallery assistant, a content writer and editor, and an advisory board of artists, researchers and collectors from Malta, Germany and the UK. The site also has pages on membership, venue hire, publications, VC editions, jobs and internships, and the gallery has taken part in the Gwangju Biennale.

Visiting Valletta Contemporary

The gallery is at 15, 16 and 17 Triq Lvant (East Street). The opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 14:00 to 19:00, and it is closed from Sunday to Tuesday and between 24 December and 9 January. You can combine a visit with St John's Co-Cathedral and the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and our Valletta guide maps out the rest of the city. Staying in the capital? See hotels in Valletta.

After the gallery, the entertainment venue 97Notes is nearby, and Adventure Cruises Malta offers time on the water. The wider things to do in Malta guide has more. To ask about an exhibition, the shop or hiring the venue, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the gallery.