Open Call for the Gouden Jefkes, the Comedy Awards in Flanders

Wanted: designer of the trophy for the Gouden Jefkes 2026, the Flemish Comedy Awards.

What are the Gouden Jefkes?
The Gouden Jefkes were awarded for the very first time in 2025 at the Mad Goat Comedy Festival in Antwerp. This new award show celebrates the very best of Flemish comedy — with a wink, tears of laughter, and above all a genuine love for the craft.

In addition to the awards for comedians, two special prizes are presented:
- The Lifetime Achievement Award – first awarded in 2025 to Geert Hoste.
- The Jef Staes Award for Young Talent – including an exclusive residency at Arenberg, last year won by Karim Shatla.
 
The competition
The award should, through its look and feel, contribute to the recognition and identity of the Golden Jefkes, but it may also stand out, be memorable, cast in 24-carat sarcasm, infused with one-liners or bad jokes, pinned somewhere between irony and surrealism, made to laugh with, not too serious or precisely so, cabaret with cut clarity, grotesque, banal, sharp-tongued, …

Design requirements:
- One striking design for the Gouden Jefkes Award.
- Two variations: the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jef Staes Award for Young Talent.
- It must be practically feasible, as it will be reproduced in multiple copies.

Materials:
The choice of materials is open, but preference will be given to a link with the materials found in DIVA’s collection.
Think silver, gold, gemstones and precious metals.

Why take part?
You will have the chance to present your work to a wide audience at the DIVA museum and be part of a prestigious awards gala organised by Arenberg.
You will contribute to the promotion of design and craftsmanship in a contemporary context.
You will receive a fee of €500 for your winning design.

Practical information:
Submit your creative ideas via the online entry form (in Dutch) before 15 October 2025 at 23:59.

Your submission must include:
- A short description of your idea (max. 1 A4 page).
- A short explanation of your chosen materials (max. 1 A4 page).
- Three design proposals in the form of drawings, sketches, renders, …

This competition is an initiative of the DIVA museum in collaboration with Arenberg and the City of Antwerp.
Read the competition rules in Dutch here. Applicants must be resident in Belgium.




About DIVA and Arenberg
DIVA is a museum and knowledge centre for jewellery, silver and diamonds in Flanders. Located in the heart of Antwerp, DIVA brings together heritage, craftsmanship and innovation.
In the permanent exhibition A Brilliant Story you can discover the different stages of a jewel or silver object; from mine to finished piece. You will see how diamonds are mined, how silversmiths work, and you will learn more about the artistry and use of these precious objects.

That passion for craftsmanship continues in DIVA’s knowledge centre. Its specialised library holds around 23,000 titles, including rare publications and unique business archives. The reading room is open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays.

For those who want to get hands-on, the DIVA atelier is the place to be. This makerspace for gold- and silversmiths is a breeding ground for creativity, where both professionals and beginners can take part in workshops, demonstrations and residencies.

Arenberg is a vibrant cultural venue in the heart of Antwerp, with a strong focus on comedy, cabaret and performance art. For decades it has been a springboard for emerging talent as well as a mainstay for established names in the Flemish and international comedy scene.

From try-outs to premières, from absurd to moving — Arenberg offers makers the freedom to experiment and audiences the chance to discover. Each season brings a fresh mix of comedy, music, theatre and spoken word, with special attention to young voices and innovative formats.

Beyond the stage, Arenberg is also investing in the future of the genre with initiatives such as residencies, writing camps and coaching. The house supports makers from the first idea to the final performance, from the first joke to the standing ovation.