Britt Bakker Wins Caroline Pauwelsbeurs voor de verwondering 2026
Britt Bakker has been awarded the Caroline Pauwelsbeurs voor de verwondering 2026 for a collaborative artistic research project developed alongside Eveline Peeters from the Microbiology Research Group at the VUB, according to project organizers. The grant provides the duo with financial, dramaturgical, and productional support to translate insights from microbiology into performance, visual art, and live experiments.
The award preserves the legacy of Caroline Pauwels, who served as curator of Theater Aan Zee in 2021 (TAZ#2021). Organizers including the VUB, deAuteurs, KVS, and TAZ established the initiative to build a sustainable bridge between the scientific and artistic sectors.
Translating Microbiology Into Artistic Research
The selection jury chose the project due to its original approach and rigorous investigative character, as noted in the official announcement. Bakker and Peeters examine how specific knowledge derived from microbiology can inspire entirely new artistic forms rather than relying on standard theatrical templates.
The research deliberately avoids starting from a fixed end result. Performance, visual imagery, and hands-on experiments receive the necessary room to intersect and influence one another throughout the working process. According to the jury, this structural freedom remains essential for investigating the subject with sufficient depth.
While the official grant is awarded directly to Britt Bakker, Eveline Peeters stays closely involved as a researcher and collaborative partner. The jury highlights immense potential in the direct meeting ground between their distinct professional domains.
Funding, Dramaturgy, and Production Support
Bakker and Peeters receive 20,000 euros in financial backing from deAuteurs and the VUB. In addition to monetary funding, KVS supplies specialized dramaturgical guidance while TAZ handles all necessary productional support for the undertaking.
This multi-layered institutional backing grants the creators both time and operational freedom. They can cultivate their core ideas without being forced to predetermine the exact shape of the final artistic output. The jury specifically cited confidence in Bakker’s personal fascination and her proven capacity to build a distinct artistic language.
Did you know? The Caroline Pauwelsbeurs voor de verwondering was created to honor the former VUB rector’s vision of connecting academic disciplines with the cultural sector, specifically targeting projects that spark public wonder.
Connecting Science With Theatre Audiences
For the general public, the completed project aims to unlock an alternative perspective on a scientific field that frequently feels detached from the traditional stage. Organizers emphasize that this intersection represents the core mission of the grant: uniting researchers and creators to cultivate ideas that exist uniquely between both worlds.
Additional coverage regarding upcoming theatre productions, visual arts, and cultural events is maintained within the Cultuur & Vrije Tijd section. Comprehensive details concerning the festival program and operational structure are available directly through Theater Aan Zee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is receiving the Caroline Pauwelsbeurs voor de verwondering 2026?
Artist Britt Bakker receives the grant for a research project developed alongside Eveline Peeters from the VUB Microbiology Research Group, according to the organizing partners.
What financial and institutional support comes with the award?
The recipients receive 20,000 euros from deAuteurs and the VUB, accompanied by dramaturgical coaching from KVS and production assistance from TAZ.
What is the primary goal of the grant project?
The funding supports open-ended artistic research that translates complex microbiological concepts into performance art, visual installations, and live experiments.
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