In February 2001, Eduardo Chillida and Pilar Belzunce started up the foundation that carries their names.
With the aim of further studying the artwork of Eduardo Chillida and promoting public awareness about the artist and his work, different areas were included in the initial project:

1. Participatory activities
2. Education
3. Educational materials
4. Research and development
5. Audiovisuals

 

The first years of the Foundation focused on younger audiences, developing programmes adapted to different school groups. See the section on Education.

In 2001 the Eduardo Chillida-Pilar Belzunce Foundation awarded the "Encuentro entre las artes" (meeting of the arts) prize to a young musician and composer, Gorka Alda, for “con el Aire cortado el hierro” (with air cutting iron) a piece of music he composed for an electroacoustic music open-air concert held at the Museum on 13 August 2002. Since that time the Foundation has worked with the Museum on its cultural programmes.