The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) is pleased to announce the establishment of its new Design Committee, marking a significant step in its commitment to nurturing and promoting the design sector in Malta. The Design Committee will address key challenges faced by the industry, foster collaboration, and advocate for sustainable and inclusive design practices. 

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Ella Fleri Soler was appointed as the Chair of this committee, and together with Co-chair Maria Eileen Fsadni, they will lead MEIA’s Design Committee, ensuring that the interests of designers, architects, and visual artists are represented and supported within Malta’s creative sector. 

By identifying and addressing key issues, the committee has the aspiration to remove barriers and provide meaningful support to those who are forming Malta’s design scene. In addition, it will work to create and expand opportunities for emerging as well as established design creatives, so that their voices are heard and celebrated. The Design Committee will also advise on incentives and policies targeting the design sector, as well as facilitate events and networking opportunities for design community members. 

ELLA FLERI SOLER 

CHAIR OF MEIA DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

Ella Fleri Soler is an architect, educator and interdisciplinary designer with a Bachelor of Science in Built Environment Studies and a Master’s degree in Architecture (Design) from the University of Malta. As a warranted architect she has extensive experience working independently and previously at a leading architecture firm, where she managed projects from concept to completion with a strong focus on site-specific design, architectural detailing, and project leadership. 

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Ella co-founded Text Catalogue, an interdisciplinary collective bridging alternative research and production processes in architecture and the allied arts. Collaborating with the University of Malta, local NGOs, and art spaces, Ella has developed impactful site-specific installations, exhibitions, written work and workshops. With a deep interest in how design intersects with various facets of society—how people interact with and shape their environments, and how these environments, in turn, shape them—she explores design’s cultural and political dimensions to address contemporary challenges. 

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Ella is a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta’s Department of Architecture and Urban Design within the Faculty for the Built Environment, where she co-tutors design studios, leads workshops, and engages students in critical discussions on architecture. Her international experience includes ERASMUS, IAESTE, and EASA programs, as well as workshops at TU Berlin and The Berlage at TU Delft. She has participated in global design events like the World Architecture Festival and was recently awarded a residency at Berlin’s Spreepark Art Space for summer of 2025. 

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“Through MEIA’s Design Committee we strive to empower Malta’s design community by fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, expanding international networks, and creating opportunities for professional growth. We envision MEIA as a central platform for representation and innovation, driving design’s societal impact and highlighting Malta’s contributions to global design dialogues.” 

MARIA EILEEN FSADNI 

CO-CHAIR OF MEIA DESIGN COMMITTEE

Maria Eileen Fsadni is a cultural practitioner, curator, writer, and activist. Her work delves into the intersections between art, culture, and environmental justice. 

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She holds both a B.A. and M.A. in Art History from the University of Malta and during her university years, she served as President of the History of Art Students’ Association. 

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Over the past ten years she has worked in some of the island’s leading heritage and art NGOs. She is currently the Gallery Manager at Valletta Contemporary, an independently run contemporary art space. 

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In recognition of her environmental advocacy, Maria was honoured with the JCI Ten Outstanding Persons of the Year award for Environmental Leadership in 2023. In 2018, she began volunteering with Friends of the Earth Malta, eventually transitioning to a part-time role within the organisation. Maria forms part of the team which is restoring and regenerating il-Forn ta’ Kemmuna. 

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“With the establishment of this new area of work, we remain committed to bringing about change across the various sectors which fall under the design committee. Its ambiguity presents an exciting challenge and a priority will be to thoughtfully represent its intersectionality.” 

About MEIA 

Established in 2020, the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) stands as a prominent non-profit organisation dedicated to championing the rights, growth, and development of Malta’s vibrant entertainment and arts industry. With a comprehensive approach that includes creators, performers, promoters, producers, suppliers, cultural educators, and technical personnel spanning Music, Theatre, Dance, Film, Visual Arts, and Arts Education, MEIA’s mission is to unite stakeholders within the entertainment industry and cultivate interest across its diverse sectors.