Missions

The Fondation Folon is a museum which was created in 2000 by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon (1934-2005). It has its own collection. It therefore acquires, conserves, studies, exhibits and passes on this extraordinary legacy to the public.

The Fondation protects Jean-Michel Folon’s image and manages the rights to his work. It is committed to upholding the values that the artist held dear. These are at the core of its social mission. Every year, it welcomes many visitors with mental or physical disabilities for a free tailor-made tour. It continues Folon’s collaborative work with Amnesty International in defence of human rights.

The Fondation Folon pays special attention to conserving and enriching its collection. So far, more than 8,000 of the 10,000 works and archive documents in the collection have been inventoried and digitised.

Extra-mural exhibitions and circulation of artworks
Exhibitions of Folon’s works are held all around the world. The Fondation Folon regularly responds to loan requests.

Visitor services
The Fondation offers a wide range of activities, from traditional museum tours to art workshops. They are designed for all audiences: adults, young people and “tiny tots”, schoolchildren, groups, companies and people with disabilities. Most of these activities focus on the values the artist championed throughout his career: ecology and human rights.

Collections, archives and resource centre
Our collection of archives covering the artist and his work is constantly expanding thanks to donations, bequests and acquisitions. These documents, which are currently being inventoried and digitised, provide a wider perspective on the artist, his circle, his influences and his time.

An archive area and a library are accessible on request. An online collections portal will soon be available for anyone who wishes to browse the Fondation Folon collections or carry out research.

As a recognised non-profit association, the Fondation Folon pursues a social objective. Every year, in accordance with Folon’s wishes, it welcomes thousands of young people and visitors with physical or mental disabilities. The proceeds generated go to help disabled people, who can enjoy free and specially tailored visits.

As part of this commitment, the visitors service offers tours that focus on the values the artist championed – specifically human rights and ecology – and several special tours:

– L’Essentiel tours led by people with disabilities from the L’Essentiel institute for the disabled.
– Au bout des doigts multisensory tours led by partially sighted guides and organised in collaboration with EQLA.

With support from the Wallonia region, the team has also set up the “Sur nos ailes” project to welcome young people living in care to the museum and teach them about art through mediation and creative workshops.

The Fondation Folon owns the rights to the artist’s works and ensures that copyright and moral rights are respected. It is a member of the ADAGP copyright management organisation in Paris.

Requests to reproduce or disseminate works by Folon should be sent to Madame Bourdinon (p.bourdinon@fondationfolon.be).