Deadline: 30-Nov-2026
The Jacqueline Nonkels Prize 2026 awards €10,000 to individuals and organisations supporting the preservation, promotion, and public awareness of Belgian surrealist heritage. The prize funds projects related to conservation, research, publications, exhibitions, and educational initiatives. Eligible applicants include non-profits, institutions, and public or volunteer groups in Belgium, excluding commercial organisations.
Jacqueline Nonkels Prize 2026 Overview
The Jacqueline Nonkels Prize 2026 is an annual cultural heritage award dedicated to protecting and promoting surrealist heritage in Belgium. It supports projects that preserve, restore, and increase public access to surrealist works, documents, and related cultural materials.
The prize commemorates Jacqueline Delcourt-Nonkels, who played an important role in safeguarding materials connected to the Belgian surrealist movement.
The initiative focuses on both academic and public-facing projects that strengthen awareness of surrealism as an important part of Belgium’s cultural identity.
Purpose and Objectives of the Prize
The prize aims to support initiatives that:
- Preserve and promote Belgian surrealist heritage
- Increase public awareness of surrealism in Belgium
- Support conservation and restoration of surrealist works and documents
- Encourage scientific research on surrealism and its history
- Improve accessibility to surrealist collections and materials
- Fund exhibitions, acquisitions, and new presentations
- Support educational and outreach initiatives
- Strengthen long-term preservation of surrealist cultural assets
The overall goal is to ensure Belgian surrealism remains accessible, studied, and culturally relevant.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Individuals (natural persons)
- Non-profit organisations
- Cultural and academic institutions
- Volunteer or community groups
- Local public institutions
- Representatives of collaborative project groups
Eligibility requirement:
Projects must contribute directly to Belgian surrealist heritage preservation or promotion.
Who is NOT Eligible?
- Commercial organisations
- For-profit entities
Funding Details (2026)
- Award amount: €10,000 per selected project
- One-time project-based support
- Projects may be:
- Newly initiated
- In preparation
- Already in progress
The prize supports both development and implementation phases depending on project needs.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The Jacqueline Nonkels Prize supports a wide range of heritage-related activities:
Research and Academic Work
- Studies on Belgian surrealism
- Academic publications and essays
- Historical documentation and analysis
- Archival research and dissemination
Conservation and Restoration
- Restoration of surrealist artworks and objects
- Preservation of documents and archival materials
- Conservation planning and implementation
Public Awareness and Exhibitions
- Museum or gallery exhibitions
- Public presentations and displays
- Educational programmes and workshops
- Cultural outreach initiatives
Accessibility and Engagement
- Improving access to surrealist collections
- Digitisation and online dissemination
- Community engagement projects
- Interpretation and educational tools
All projects must contribute to visibility and understanding of Belgian surrealism.
Evaluation Criteria
Projects are assessed based on:
- Relevance to surrealist heritage objectives
- Innovation and originality of approach
- Clear need for funding support
- Community and cultural value
- Quality of project design and planning
- Financial realism and budget reliability
- Feasible timelines and execution plan
- Evaluation and impact measurement methods
- Long-term sustainability and continuity
- Contribution to visibility and heritage preservation
Special Criteria by Project Type
Research and Publications
Evaluation focuses on:
- Originality of topic
- Academic or public accessibility
- Dissemination strategy
- Contribution to surrealism studies
- Long-term relevance
Awareness and Exhibition Projects
Evaluation focuses on:
- Conservation and security of materials
- Cultural and symbolic importance
- Public benefit and engagement
- Sustainability of outcomes
- Artistic and historical relevance
- Urgency of preservation needs
How the Prize Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Project Definition
Applicants define a project linked to Belgian surrealist heritage.
Step 2: Project Design
Prepare:
- Objectives and activities
- Timeline and implementation plan
- Budget and funding justification
Step 3: Application Submission
Submit project proposal for evaluation.
Step 4: Evaluation Process
Projects are assessed against cultural, scientific, and feasibility criteria.
Step 5: Selection and Award
Selected projects receive €10,000 funding support.
Step 6: Implementation
Projects are carried out according to the approved plan.
Key Focus Areas
- Belgian surrealist art and heritage preservation
- Cultural research and academic dissemination
- Restoration and conservation of artworks
- Public engagement and education
- Archival access and documentation
- Museum and exhibition development
- Cultural memory preservation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak connection to Belgian surrealism
- Poorly defined conservation or research objectives
- Unclear budget or unrealistic timelines
- Lack of public dissemination strategy
- Insufficient explanation of cultural impact
- Commercial or profit-driven framing (not eligible)
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly link your project to Belgian surrealist heritage
- Demonstrate cultural, academic, or public value
- Provide a realistic and detailed implementation plan
- Show how your project improves access or visibility
- Include long-term preservation or dissemination impact
- Highlight originality or underexplored aspects of surrealism
- Ensure strong documentation and evaluation methods
Why This Prize Matters
The Jacqueline Nonkels Prize plays an important role in:
- Preserving Belgium’s unique surrealist cultural legacy
- Supporting research and academic understanding of surrealism
- Improving public access to artistic and historical materials
- Strengthening conservation of fragile cultural assets
- Encouraging cultural innovation and engagement
- Ensuring long-term visibility of surrealist heritage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the funding amount?
Each selected project receives €10,000.
Who can apply?
Individuals, non-profits, cultural institutions, volunteer groups, and public institutions in Belgium.
Who is not eligible?
Commercial and for-profit organisations are excluded.
What types of projects are supported?
Research, conservation, publications, exhibitions, and awareness initiatives related to Belgian surrealism.
Can ongoing projects apply?
Yes, projects can be new, in preparation, or already underway.
What is the main goal of the prize?
To preserve and promote Belgian surrealist heritage and increase public awareness.
How are projects evaluated?
Based on relevance, innovation, feasibility, cultural value, and long-term impact.
Conclusion
The Jacqueline Nonkels Prize 2026 provides €10,000 in funding to support projects that preserve and promote Belgian surrealist heritage. By funding research, conservation, exhibitions, and educational initiatives, it helps ensure that Belgium’s surrealist legacy remains accessible, studied, and culturally significant for future generations.
For more information, visit King Baudouin Foundation.