Design is how it works.
The membership application process is through an online membership portal. Individuals and organizations interested in joining the VDC members community shall access the portal and follow the following process.
There is no limit to the number of regular members that the VDC can accept, and therefore membership is open to all applicants that satisfy the eligibility criteria and that complete the application process.
The application for regular membership will be carried out completely online, through a registration and application process channelled via a dedicated portal. Applicants will enter their basic information, followed by the full application form as required for regular membership status. Verification of entries will be done in person by the VDC management. Once this is verified, applicants will be informed about the outcome of their application, and the final stage of payment and signing of membership agreement will be finalized. This shall provide the applicant with full regular membership status together with access to the applicable VDC resources, as detailed in the section entitled ‘Eligibility, selection criteria and conditions to become a member’ below.
#criteria
Online registration
Full Online Application
Verification Of Eligibility
Payment and Agreement
Membership Cofirmation
Access To VDC Resources
#VDC
The Valletta Design Cluster has 15 studios to be used by practitioners in the eligible fields of practice. The limited number of studios means that a selection process needs to be put in place to identify applicants that are most in line with the membership community approach of the Cluster. This is a competitive process, and selection is based on the established criteria stipulated in the section entitled ‘Eligibility, selection criteria and conditions to become a member’ below . The VCA will manage the overall application process and will make use of independent evaluators for the evaluation phase of the process.
The application process for the studios will follow the same initial steps as for regular members, with online registration and full application. The submitted applications will be evaluated by independent evaluators based on the established criteria. A list of selected applicants will be generated following the completion of the evaluation process. The VCA shall ensure the smooth running and administration of this process. Following the confirmation of selected applicants, studio-based membership for the top-ranked applicants shall proceed with the signing of a membership agreement and the securing of payment.
Online Registration
Full Online Application
Verifaction Of Eligibility
Evaluation Of Application
Recommended list of selected applicants
Payment and signing of agreement
Membership confirmation
Studio allocation
Eligible category of applicants: Valletta community (Malta-registered NGOs/VOs); students; start-ups (micro-enterprises and freelancers); individuals and locally-registered organisations and enterprises active in design-related practice, social impact, and maker-based practices, as well public entities active in the design, social, environmental, and educational sectors.
Fee: €200 per year (inclusive of VAT) – 2021-2022. This amount shall be paid upon signing the membership Terms and Conditions’
Changes to Membership Fee: The Valletta Cultural Agency retains the right to increase chargeable membership fees up to 10% annually to cover additional operational costs, starting from the year 2023.
Fee exemption: Payment of the regular membership fee for eligible Valletta-based organisations and for full-time students is waived. Only a one-time non-refundable €20 processing fee (inclusive of VAT) shall be charged when applying for membership for these categories of users.
This membership category is not restricted in number and applications are based on basic eligibility. Therefore, given this is not a competitive application process, no selection criteria are applicable for Regular Membership.
The section below takes you through the eligibility and selection criteria for studio-based membership of the Valletta Design Cluster.
Eligibility to apply for studio-based membership is based on the following eligibility criteria:
A minimum of 60% score is required for the applicant to be considered for studio allocation. Non-selected applicants that reach the pass mark will be placed in a waiting list. Feedback will also be provided to unsuccessful applicants, based on scores to criteria for their application.
The applicant’s core activity must address the following areas:
(a) the applicant is an active contributor to the generation of cultural, social and economic value through design-related practice on the local or international scene;
(b) the applicant’s activity is grounded on a sound financial sustainability and viability plan, and is connected to a longer-term vision for the development of the applicant and its core activity;
(c) the proposed activity aims to achieve positive social impact through meaningful and relevant engagement with contemporary cultural and creative practices and social issues.
The applicant proposes to maximise the benefits of the space and facilities applied for by:
(a) extending the use of the studio to a wider group of associated practitioners;
(b) ensuring the studio is used efficiently by minimising inactive time;
(c) expressing willingness to share the studio with other members, where compatible and relevant.
The applicant plans to adopt an open approach for its core practice at the Cluster by at least adopting one of the following:
(a) use the studio and the wider membership benefits to engage in interdisciplinary projects and initiatives involving multiple stakeholders through design;
(b) address social and cultural diversity on a local, national or international level through its core design-related activity;
(c) develop its skills, knowledge, practices and other intangible assets by using the resources at the Cluster and to share these with other members and beyond.
The applicant demonstrates significant engagement and commitment to sustainable practices by demonstrating adoption of one or more of the following measures in its planned activities at the Cluster:
The applicant clearly demonstrates that the design-related activity proposed cannot be fulfilled through Regular Membership status only. In this case, the applicant needs to show that:
(a) the core activity that will be practiced at the Cluster cannot be satisfactorily fulfilled through access to spaces and facilities covered by regular membership conditions (i.e. through access and use of the shared spaces and facilities of the Cluster, such as meeting rooms, makerspace, etc.);
(b) the facilities currently available to the applicant outside of the Cluster (own studio spaces and workshops, rented spaces and facilities, temporary arrangements, etc.) cannot satisfactorily fulfil the core activity of the applicant;
(c) no facilities or spaces are currently available or in use by the applicant and access to a studio at the Cluster would provide an appropriate and satisfactory base from where the core activity of the applicant can be launched and/or fulfilled.
Standard Fees
standard fee: Valletta-based organizations and full-time students are exemppted from the membership fee and only pay a one time €20 administration fee
standard fee(one organiziation in one studio)
fee for shared studio: €500 per organization (minimum 2 organizations in one studio)
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