Beyond Walls
Beyond Walls is an Amsterdam-based heritage collective founded in 2020 that conducts participatory research, visual storytelling, and decolonial heritage work with diaspora communities connected to former Dutch colonies, partnering with museums, universities, and municipalities across the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Australia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Beyond Walls does
Beyond Walls is an Amsterdam-based heritage collective founded in 2020 by four independent researchers, curators, and visual storytellers — Glenda Pattipeilohy, Suzanne Rastovac, Armando Elo, and Jeremy Flohr — with the Beyond Walls Foundation formalized in 2022 to support governance and organizational development. The collective operates at the intersection of participatory research, visual storytelling, documentary filmmaking, and decolonial heritage practice, centering diaspora communities connected to former Dutch colonies including Indonesia, the Moluccas, Sulawesi, Papua, Suriname, and the Caribbean. Its core methodology treats objects and heritage not as static materials but as living carriers of stories, memory, and relationships, and emphasizes long-term, reciprocal partnerships with source communities rather than extractive research.
The collective delivers a portfolio of programs including Beyond The Collection (community-centered research on colonial museum holdings), WANUA (international artist exchange between Sulawesi/Maluku and the Dutch diaspora), Read Our Colonial Inheritance (poetry film series with Wereldmuseum Amsterdam and Read My World), OOSTCAST (multidisciplinary project on colonial street names), De Stad Vertelt and De Zee Vertelt (public engagement research programs), and the Soils Project (international research and exhibition initiative). Underlying capabilities include community archiving, oral history, visual storytelling (film, photography, poetry films), exhibition production, and advisory work for institutions seeking to decolonize heritage practice.
The business model is non-commercial. Revenue is generated through multi-year structural grants from Dutch arts funds (Amsterdam Fund for the Arts for 2025-2026, Mondriaan Fund, Dutch Foundation for Literature), commissioned municipal research contracts (Gemeente Eindhoven 2024, Gemeente Breda / Stadsarchief Breda 2024), project-based institutional partnerships with museums, festivals, and academic institutions, and donations via the website. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on long-term trust-based partnerships and curated institutional collaborations rather than commercial sales or marketing channels. Operating geographies span the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Australia, with programming distributed through museum exhibitions, festivals, public sharing sessions, and documentary screenings.
Beyond Walls firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Beyond Walls
- Legal name
- Beyond Walls
- Website
- https://beyondwallscollective.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Beyond Walls is an Amsterdam-based heritage collective founded in 2020 that conducts participatory research, visual storytelling, and decolonial heritage work with diaspora communities connected to former Dutch colonies, partnering with museums, universities, and municipalities across the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Australia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Beyond Walls industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Heritage Research and Cultural Production Services
- NAICS
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (712110), Historical Sites (712120), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Cultural Centers & Multidisciplinary Arts Institutions (THAJADAJ)
Keywords
Where Beyond Walls is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Beyond Walls business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants and Subsidies: Beyond Walls receives multi-year structural contributions from public arts funds including Amsterdam Fund for the Arts (AFK) for 2025-2026. Additional support from Mondriaan Fund.
- Government-Funded Research Contracts: Commissioned research projects from municipalities (Gemeente Eindhoven, Gemeente Breda) to investigate colonial and slavery heritage of specific cities.
- Project-Based Institutional Partnerships: Collaborations with museums, cultural institutions, and festivals for exhibitions, public programs, and exchange projects. These include in-kind support, co-funding, and production partnerships.
- Donations: The website includes a donation option (SUPPORT our work) indicating acceptance of charitable contributions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Beyond Walls product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Beyond Walls is an Amsterdam-based heritage collective that conducts community-centered research, produces documentaries and poetry films, curates exhibitions, and runs international artist exchanges focused on colonial and slavery heritage. Its work engages diaspora communities connected to former Dutch colonies through participatory research, oral history, visual storytelling, and community archiving. The collective delivers commissioned heritage research for municipalities and advisory work for museums and cultural institutions.
Product overview
Beyond Walls is an Amsterdam-based heritage collective offering a portfolio of programs, research initiatives, documentaries, and artistic projects centered on decolonial heritage practice. The core offering includes Beyond The Collection (community-centered research on colonial collections), WANUA (international artist exchanges), Read Our Colonial Inheritance (poetry film series), and documentary work like DIASPORA. Additional programs include OOSTCAST (podcast on colonial street names), Dichter bij Onze koloniale erfenis (poetry and film series), De Stad Vertelt (public research programs on slavery past), De Zee Vertelt (maritime history programs), and the SOILS Project (international research exhibitions). These offerings interweave participatory research, visual storytelling, international exchange, and community engagement to amplify marginalized voices and advance equitable heritage practice.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Beyond The Collection A community-centered research and long-term collaboration program engaging with colonial collections together with communities connected to them. It creates space for shared authority, lived knowledge, and collective decision-making about the care, value, and future of these collections. Targeted at museums, archives, cultural institutions, and diaspora communities.
- WANUA: Beyond Home An international research and artist exchange project connecting artists, writers, and cultural practitioners from Sulawesi, the Moluccas, and the diaspora in the Netherlands, exploring shared heritage through research, oral histories, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Target audience includes artists, cultural practitioners, and partner festivals.
- Read Our Colonial Inheritance A poetry film series featuring poets and spoken word artists creating artistic reflections inspired by themes and objects from colonial heritage exhibitions, capturing the impact of colonial inheritance. Targeted at general audiences, museums, and cultural institutions.
- OOSTCAST - Straatnamen Indische Buurt A multidisciplinary project and podcast highlighting stories of anti-colonial resistance related to colonial street names in Amsterdam East, combining education, storytelling, and artistic interventions. Targeted at city residents, educators, and cultural audiences.
- De Stad Vertelt A public engagement program inviting city residents to share stories and knowledge about the slavery past of their city, part of exploratory research conducted for municipalities. Targeted at municipal governments and city residents.
- De Zee Vertelt A public program focusing on underdocumented stories of people at sea, exploring maritime history and the roles of Javanese, Madurese, Moluccan, Chinese, and Indian seafarers. Targeted at cultural institutions and general audiences.
- SOILS Project An experimental research and exhibition project organized with Van Abbemuseum, TarraWarra Museum of Art, and Struggles for Sovereignty, exploring how art can promote well-being in contexts of exploitation and colonization. Targeted at international museums and cultural institutions.
- DIASPORA: Heritage in Motion (2020) Documentary on restitution and colonial collections, serving as the foundation for the Beyond The Collection program. Targeted at general audiences, museums, and cultural institutions.
- Dichter bij Onze koloniale erfenis A poetry and film series exploring Dutch colonial heritage in collaboration with Wereldmuseum Amsterdam and Read My World. Targeted at general audiences, museums, and cultural institutions.
- Shishani & Sisterhood A storytelling concertfilm exploring various art forms from Java, Sumatra, the Moluccas, and Papua, created in collaboration with Erasmushuis Jakarta. Targeted at general audiences and cultural institutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Multi-year grant from Amsterdam Fund for the Arts (AFK) for 2025-2026, fully honored and positively evaluated on all criteria.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Beyond Walls
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Beyond Walls technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Beyond Walls partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Makassar International Writers FestivalcoreCollaborative partner in the WANUA international research and artist exchange project connecting artists from Sulawesi, Maluku, and the diaspora in the Netherlands. Jointly presents artistic creations at the festival.
- Wereldmuseum AmsterdamcoreLong-term collaboration partner for exhibitions, the Beyond The Collection program, memorial altar project with Manuwi C. Tokai, and the Dichter bij Onze koloniale erfenis series.
- University of AmsterdamcoreOngoing collaboration with the Bachelor program Practicing Ethnography (Anthropology) since 2022. Students conduct research inspired by Beyond The Collection program.
- Van AbbemuseumcorePartner in the Soils Project international research and exhibition project. Has hosted exhibitions and collaborated on decolonial programming.
- The Black ArchivesmajorCollaboration partner for the OOSTCAST project on colonial street names in Amsterdam East.
- Museum MalukumajorCultural institution partner for exhibitions and programs related to Moluccan heritage.
- TarraWarra Museum of ArtmajorInternational partner in the Soils Project and host of Beyond Walls lecture performance Remember the Soil in Australia.
- Beeld & GeluidmajorPartner for archival access and collaborative programming including Digging Beyond the Collection sessions.
- RijksmuseummajorPartner for exhibitions and programs related to colonial history.
- BUROBRAAKmajorConcept, design, and execution partner for the OOSTCAST project on colonial street names.
- Van GisterenmajorEditing partner for the OOSTCAST podcast project.
- Read My WorldmajorCollaboration partner for the Dichter bij Onze koloniale erfenis poetry and film series.
- Framer FramedminorCultural institution partner for exhibitions and programming.
- Struggles for SovereigntymajorPartner in the Soils Project international research and exhibition project based in Jogjakarta, Indonesia.
- Rumata' Artspace MakassarmajorPartner for artist exchange and cultural programming in Makassar.
- Gemeente EindhovencoreCommissioned Beyond Walls to conduct exploratory research into the slavery heritage of Eindhoven (2024).
- Gemeente Breda and Stadsarchief BredamajorCommissioned research on colonial and slavery heritage of Breda in collaboration with researchers, makers, and communities.
- Leiden UniversitymajorArchive partner for La Galigo manuscript research. WANUA artists visited original manuscripts at Leiden University Library.
- Nieuwe InstituutminorArchive partner for WANUA artist exchange program research activities.
- Rotterdamse Academie voor BouwkunstminorAcademic partner for lecture related to the Dekolonisatie van het Paleis project.
- Erasmus Huis JakartaminorCultural institution partner for programs related to Indonesian heritage.
- AmerpodiaminorCultural programming partner for exhibitions and public programs.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Beyond Walls competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Framer Framed: Amsterdam-based platform for contemporary art and critical thinking on decolonial themes. Directly comparable mission and audience (Dutch museum-adjacent decolonial programming), listed as a Beyond Walls cultural programming partner.
- Van Abbemuseum: Partner in the SOILS Project and host of Beyond Walls co-founder Glenda Pattipeilohy as educator. Directly comparable as a Dutch museum actively working on decolonial practice and community-led programming.
- The Black Archives: Amsterdam-based heritage/archive organization collaborating with Beyond Walls on the OOSTCAST project. Comparable as a small, community-centered Dutch organization curating Black and colonial-heritage archives.
- Read My World: Amsterdam-based international literary festival partnering with Beyond Walls on the 'Dichter bij Onze koloniale erfenis' poetry/film series. Comparable as a Dutch platform using literature and storytelling to engage post-colonial themes.
- TarraWarra Museum of Art: Australian museum hosting Beyond Walls' 'Remember the Soil' lecture performance and SOILS Project partner. Comparable as a contemporary art museum engaging decolonial and Indigenous perspectives.
- Museum Maluku: Dutch museum focused on Moluccan heritage, partnered with Beyond Walls on exhibitions and programs. Directly comparable as a community-rooted Dutch heritage institution centered on a specific post-colonial diaspora.
- Wereldmuseum Amsterdam: Long-term Beyond Walls exhibition and programming partner (Beyond The Collection, Dichter bij Onze koloniale erfenis, memorial altar). Directly comparable as a Dutch museum engaging colonial heritage and diaspora communities.
Emerging players
- Indies Heritage Center: Dutch heritage center focused on the colonial and contemporary history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia, where co-founder Suzanne Rastovac previously worked as a curator. Comparable thematic focus and Dutch-Indonesian heritage remit, though more museum-oriented than Beyond Walls' collective model.
- KITLV (Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies): Dutch research institute focused on Southeast Asian and Caribbean studies, with which co-founder Suzanne Rastovac has collaborated. Comparable as an academic-adjacent heritage/research organization working on Dutch colonial history, but anchored in academic rather than community-led practice.
Broad incumbents
- Rijksmuseum: Major Dutch national museum and Beyond Walls programming partner. Comparable because it is also working on colonial-collection reckoning, but operates at much greater scale and with broader curatorial scope than Beyond Walls' focused practice.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Beyond Walls social profiles
Digital presenceBeyond Walls financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Beyond Walls leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Beyond Walls funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Beyond Walls M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Beyond Walls
What does Beyond Walls do?
Beyond Walls is an Amsterdam-based heritage collective that conducts community-centered research, produces documentaries and poetry films, curates exhibitions, and runs international artist exchanges focused on colonial and slavery heritage. Its work engages diaspora communities connected to former Dutch colonies through participatory research, oral history, visual storytelling, and community archiving. The collective delivers commissioned heritage research for municipalities and advisory work for museums and cultural institutions.
Is Beyond Walls a public or private company?
Beyond Walls is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Beyond Walls founded?
Beyond Walls was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Beyond Walls based?
Beyond Walls is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Beyond Walls make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants and Subsidies are the primary driver. The others are government-Funded Research Contracts, project-Based Institutional Partnerships and donations.
Who are Beyond Walls's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Framer Framed, Van Abbemuseum, The Black Archives, Read My World, TarraWarra Museum of Art, Museum Maluku and Wereldmuseum Amsterdam. Emerging players are Indies Heritage Center and KITLV (Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies). Rijksmuseum is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Beyond Walls have an API?
No public API is recorded for Beyond Walls.
What industry is Beyond Walls in?
Beyond Walls's product category is Heritage Research and Cultural Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAI, Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations), with a secondary code of BPAGAHAD, Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations. Its NAICS code is 7121.