STATUTE OF THE ANNUAL AWARD OF THE BNC OF ICOM
(adopted on 22.04.2025, amended on 25.02.2026)
This Statute regulates the procedure and conditions for awarding and presenting annual awards on behalf of the ASSOCIATION “BULGARIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF ICOM”, UIC: 176346664 (hereinafter referred to as “BNC of ICOM” or “Association”). It defines the categories of the awards, the persons who may receive them and the criteria for their award.
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Art. 1. The ICOM BNC Awards (Awards) are awarded only to members of the Association for merits in the field of museum work, museology and contribution to raising the authority and role of the Association within the International Museum Network.
Art. 2. The Awards are awarded annually for activities carried out in the period between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year.
Art. 3 (amended 25.02. 2026) The ICOM BNC Awards are awarded in the following categories:
1. Achievements in museum practice, cultural heritage management and museum communication;
Scientific, educational and public contribution to museology;
Overall contribution and leadership in museum work
Art. 4. (1) The winners of the Awards under Art. 3 are determined on a competitive basis, after a selection of proposals submitted by individual or institutional members of the ICOM BNC.
(2) The award winners are awarded a diploma and a schedule.
(3) The diploma under the previous paragraph is signed by the Chairman of the ICOM BNC.
Art. 5 The awards are awarded only upon receipt of well-argued and valuable applications, determined as such by a jury.
Art. 6. The information provided by the candidates may be used for advertising and popularisation of the award.
II. CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION
Art. 7. (1) The competition for the awards under Art. 3 shall be attended by specialists proposed by:
The Management Board of the ICOM BNC;
institutional members of the ICOM BNC, for specialists from their team;
individual members of the ICOM BNC.
(2) Institutional members may nominate only one member of their team.
Art. 8. (amended 25.02. 2026) Requirements for proposals under Art. 3:
a motivated proposal for high professional achievements in practical museum work, cultural heritage management and museum communication, containing information on results achieved in implementing a permanent exhibition, temporary exhibition, creating an educational initiative and all other activities related to the preservation and promotion of museum collections. Participation in conferences, events, initiatives of the international organisation of museums, as a member of the BNC of ICOM:
a motivated proposal for an exceptional, long-term and strategic contribution to the development of museum work at the national and international level, containing information on research and publications on museum collections, histories of museum work in the Republic of Bulgaria, dissertations related to the topic, methodological aids necessary in museum work and others. Participation in conferences, events and initiatives of the international organisation of museums, as a member of the BNC of ICOM:
a motivated proposal for contribution to the development of museology, scientific activity, the educational mission of the museum and interaction with society, containing information about contribution in various areas of museum activity, development of the institution, participation in the development of policies and standards in the museum field, mentoring of new generations of museum specialists, representation of the Bulgarian museum community in international forums, professional authority.
(2) To participate in the competition, an application must be submitted by March 31 of the respective year using the form – Appendix No. 1.
(3) The form of Appendix No. 1 is published on the website of the BNC of ICOM, upon announcement of the competition.
(4) Proposals for participation in the competition are sent to the following e-mail address for correspondence: bnc_icom@abv.bg, and those who have submitted documents within the specified deadline are considered regular candidates.
Art. 9. The evaluation is carried out by a jury of three members, who are elected each year by March 15 by the Management Board of the BNC of ICOM and can be both members of the Association and external specialists. In the event of a conflict of interest with any of the members of the jury, another member shall be elected.
III. CONDUCT OF THE COMPETITION
Art. 10 (amended 25.02. 2026) Nomination and evaluation procedure
(1) (new 25.02. 2026) The awards are awarded annually after public announcement of the procedure on the official website of the organisation, where the categories, deadlines and requirements for application are indicated.
(2) (new 25.02. 2026) The nomination contains an application form, motivation, professional CV or presentation, description of achievements according to the category.
(3) (new 25.02. 2026) Applications submitted are subject to compliance checks. Incomplete documents may be supplemented within a specified period.
(4) (new 25.02. 2026) The awards are awarded by an independent jury appointed by the Board of the BNC of ICOM. The members of the jury sign a declaration of impartiality and absence of conflict of interest.
(5) (new 25.02. 2026) The jury carries out the evaluation on the basis of the approved criteria for the respective category. The decisions are made after discussion and are drawn up in a protocol, which indicates the reasons for the decision. The protocol is signed by the members of the jury and submitted to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the BNC of ICOM, no later than 30 April.
(6) previous paragraph 2 The Board of Directors approves the Protocol at its meeting and prepares the awards.
(7) (new 25.02. 2026) A representative of the Board of Directors of the BNC of ICOM also participates in the meeting of the jury without the right to vote.
(8) (new 25.02. 2026) The jury may not award a prize in a given category in the absence of sufficiently convincing applications.
(9) (new 25.02. 2026) The decisions of the jury are final and are announced publicly. The prizes are awarded at the General Assembly of the Bulgarian National Committee of ICOM.
Art. 11. (new 25.02. 2026) The ranking is determined according to the following criteria, and it is not mandatory to require a contribution under all points:
I. Category “Achievements in museum practice, and management of cultural heritage and museum communication”
Criteria
Exhibition and curatorial activity
– Participation in the development and implementation of permanent exhibitions and temporary exhibitions,
– Conceptual and scientific contribution;
– Innovation in exhibition solutions:
– Public and professional response.
Fund activity, conservation and digitisation
– Management and development of museum funds:
– Conservation and restoration of cultural values
– Digitisation and electronic publication of movable and immovable cultural values;
– Introduction of modern standards for storage and documentation.
Popularisation and communication of museum activities
– Modern approaches in popularising the activities of the museum / HG:
– High results achieved in the field of museum communication.
II. Category “Scientific, educational and public contribution to museology”
Criteria
Scientific and methodological activity
– Publications (monographs, studies, catalogs, scientific articles);
– Research on museum collections and movable cultural heritage;
– Development of methodologies, standards and professional tools;
– Academic development and participation in scientific forums.
Educational and social activity
– Development and implementation of educational programs;
– Working with different audiences and communities;
– Socially engaged initiatives,
– Measurable social impact and sustainability
International and professional activity
– Participation in national and international projects Presentation of professional developments at conferences and forums;
– Active engagement in the activities of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and its structures
– Contribution to the implementation of ICOM ethical standards and good practices.
III. Category “Overall Contribution and Leadership in Museum Work
Criteria
Long-term professional activity
-Consistent contribution in various areas of museum activity;
– Visible development of an institution, collection or professional field;
– Accumulated significant results over time.
Strategic and institutional leadership
– Participation in the development of policies and standards in the museum field;
– Initiation of partnerships and professional networks
– Mentoring and building new generations of museum specialists.
National and international recognition
– Representation of the Bulgarian museum community in international forums;
– Long-term and active involvement in the International Council of Museums (ICOM);
– Professional authority and public recognition;
– Adherence to high ethical standards
Art. 12. The Governing Board notifies all members and the media in the country in writing about the awardees and publishes on the eve of May 18 – International Museum Day their names.
IV. AWARDING OF THE AWARDS
Art. 13. The award ceremony of the Awards shall be held at the first general meeting of the members of the Association after the competition, and the Awards shall be presented by the Chairman of the Management Board of the Bulgarian National Council of ICOM.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
For the Awards for activities carried out in 2024, the deadline under Art. 8, para. 2 is 01.11.2025, the deadline under Art. 9 is 15.10.2025, and the deadline under Art. 10, para. 1 is 30.11.2025. The publication of the names under Art. 12 shall be carried out by 20.12.2025.
This Statute may be amended by a simple majority of the members present at the General meeting of the BNC of ICOM.
For the original of the Statute, click HERE.
To download an application for participation in the competition (Appendix No. 1), click HERE.
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