ŻfinMalta National Dance Company is seeking a new Artistic Director, as it approaches its 10-year anniversary. Current Artistic Director Paolo Mangiola leaves the role in July 2024, following a term of seven years. Mangiola joined a fledgling ŻfinMalta at the end of its third season and has since led Malta’s national dance company through a period of extraordinary growth, bringing recognition at a local and international level. As a result, contemporary dance now has a place at the forefront of Malta’s performing arts scene, with an ever-expanding and dedicated local audience.
During his tenure, Mangiola has attracted some of the most important established and pioneering choreographers working on the international stage, including Tânia Carvalho, Emanuel Gat, Roy Assaf, Rosemary Lee, Sergiu Matis, Nuria Guiu and Francesca Pennini to name a few. The company’s upcoming season features Mauro Bigonzetti, Ambra Senatore, and Lesley Telford, as well as musical collaborations with The New Victorians and Alexandra Alden. Mangiola has also assembled an international cast of the highest calibre and leaves a company of ten full time dancers and two apprentices.
Alongside ŻfinMalta’s extensive repertoire, Mangiola has overseen an inclusive and participatory education and outreach programme for people from all backgrounds, with any relationship to movement. His pedagogical background has held his focus on the establishment of an open and expansive dance ecology with opportunities for aspiring, emerging and established dance artists to realise their potential and connect with ŻfinMalta audiences and communities.
Chairperson of NAPA, Alison White, says: ‘I am honoured to have been Chairperson since the birth of ŻfinMalta in 2014. In this time, I have seen the company progress and develop, with a beautifully high standard of professionalism and artistry in the realm of contemporary dance. Paolo Mangiola will be greatly missed, but he has left a wonderful legacy and repertoire for the company to continue to perform and build on. We wish him every success in his new adventure. I look forward to the next chapter for ŻfinMalta and the lead-up to our 10-year anniversary.’
ŻfinMalta national dance company approaches this milestone anniversary in a period of great strength and growth, with an increasing international profile and an extensive touring schedule. It is anticipated the new incoming director will bring the requisite knowledge, networks, and vision to continue leading the company on its current trajectory.
ŻfinMalta – the Maltese National Dance Company is looking to recruit an Artistic Director. ŻfinMalta is part of the National Agency for the Performing Arts. A public agency providing a joint legal, administrative and organisational framework for KorMalta, TeatruMalta and ŻfinMalta.
Contributing to the Agency’s Executive Team, ŻfinMalta’s Artistic Director will be a true cultural leader and choreographer working in contemporary Dance. They will have overall responsibility for the Artistic Management of the company and for the development and implementation of its artistic outputs.
The Artistic Director will lead the company into its next phase of development with a distinctive artistic vision which renews ŻfinMalta’s mission and values. The Artistic Director will create a programme of the highest quality within agreed resources. Coherency and Excellence will be required across artistic, management and organisational aspects of the company.
The Artistic Director manages the artistic and technical personnel, working closely with the Head of Productions and Director for Administration and reports to the Executive Head of the Agency.
Selection Process
Applications must be submitted via email on vacancies.zm@zfinmalta.mt by the 27th October 2023.
Applications must include:
• CV
• Covering letter
• Portfolio
• References
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to lead a 75-minute session with the Company Dancers in November 2023. This will be followed by an interview with the selection committee where applicants will be asked to present their vision for the Company for the short and medium term.
