Opening Doors works at the intersection of artistic excellence, access and advocacy.

We believe artists with learning disabilities should have the same opportunities to train, perform and develop their practice as anyone else. We build the structures to make that possible.

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our mission

Opening Doors creates opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to engage in the arts, develop their creative potential, and contribute meaningfully to the cultural sector. We do this by focusing on four main areas.

Providing access to training in the performing arts

We provide training and performance opportunities in Music, Dance, and Theatre, both locally and internationally.

creating artistic opportunities

We actively create performance and collaboration opportunities that reflect and support the needs, ideas, and artistic visions of our artists.

Raising the Profile of Artists with Disabilities

We challenge assumptions in the cultural sector and ensure equal recognition and opportunity for all artists.

Facilitating International Collaboration

We support exchange with artists and organisations across Europe, broadening horizons and professional development.

Our Story

Opening Doors has been building something since 2008. Not just an organisation - a movement. Here are the moments that shaped us.

2008 beginnings
2008 Where It Began A single idea: adults with intellectual disabilities deserved real space in theatre. Initiated by Spazju Kreattiv with Lou Ghirlando and Toni Attard at St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, the project launched as part of a European partnership. Around fourteen founding members began exploring drama through movement and improvisation.
2010 first performance
2010 First Performance The first theatre group took to the stage with L-Iljun Ikkonvertit in March 2010 — the first public moment of what Opening Doors would become.
2012 formally established
2012 Formally Established Opening Doors became a registered voluntary organisation (VO/0664), operating nationally as an autonomous, non-profit dedicated to artistic participation. Aldith Gauci had taken on the role of Artistic Director, having led the work voluntarily through the transition year.
2012 formally established
2014-2015 Growing The Disciplines Dance arrived in 2014 under Sandra Mifsud. Music followed in 2015 under Luke Baldacchino, supported by the Voices Foundation - performing publicly for the first time on World Disability Day, 3 December 2015. Opening Doors was no longer just theatre. It was becoming something broader: a full performing arts organisation.
2018 landmark year
2018 A Landmark Year Valletta 2018, European Capital of Culture. Il-Premju għall-Arti for Best Project in the Community. International performances in Leeds. A published book. National recognition. International reach. The work was being seen.
2020 creativity through crisis
2020 Creativity Through Crisis COVID-19 tested everyone. Opening Doors moved its programme online for over eighteen months — and kept going. Film, video performance, and a new artistic ambition began taking shape.
40 Members today
6 Active groups
17 Years & counting
2021 professional recognition
2021 Professional Recognition Members were recognised and remunerated as the professional artists they are — not as a gesture, but as a standard. A five-year partnership with ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival began.
2021-2025 bigger stages
2021–2025 Bigger Stages Members took leading roles at Notte Bianca, bringing inclusion to large festival audiences and making the work visible at scale.
Today - building the future
Today Building the Future Together Led by Artistic Director Rachel Calleja and Chairperson Michael Fenech, Opening Doors continues to build on its strong foundations while looking confidently towards the future. The voices, needs, and creative ambitions of Opening Doors artists remain at the heart of everything — with collaborations growing both locally and internationally. 40 members. 6 groups. 2 partner programmes. A growing platform for inclusive arts in Malta and across Europe.