Speels Collectief

What Speels Collectief does

Speels Collectief is a Dutch non-profit foundation (Stichting Speels Collectief) operating as a mixed-abled theatre collective since approximately 2015, headquartered in Tilburg with a second community hub in Arnhem. It creates theatrical and dance performances with diverse performers including people with disabilities, and addresses themes of inclusion, mental health, sexuality, and body norms. Its operations span two complementary structures: an open-access Community arm (offering lessons and regional performances in social/care/education contexts in both Tilburg and Arnhem) and a Company arm (assembled per production from a broad talent pool, touring nationwide through Dutch theatres and festivals). Core productions include IK BEN KAMER 15 (audio-documentary theatre about psychiatric care), WIJ ZIJN HIER (community dance in public spaces), CONTENT WARNING: weinig prikkels (low-stimulus performance), LOVE ME BY THE HOUR, USUALLY I'M ON TOP, LAY DOWN AND LIFT ME UP, DE KEGELCLUB, and TAKE ME OUT. The collective also produces a podcast series (Van Haar Sokkel), audio documentaries, and academic-adjacent research output.

The organization holds cultural ANBI status (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) since 2020, qualifying it as a Dutch public benefit organization with tax-advantaged donation mechanics. Its revenue is assembled from four streams: multi-year structural grants and project funding from public cultural funds (Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, Cultuurfonds, Stichting Doen, Vaillant Fonds, Stichting Jacques de Leeuw) and two municipalities (Gemeente Tilburg, Gemeente Arnhem); performance bookings and tour fees from Dutch theatres and festivals (Schouwburg Tilburg, Het Nationale Theater, De Lindenberg, CC Amstel, Parktheater Eindhoven, Maaspodium Rotterdam, De Schuur, De Meervaart, and others); commissions for workshops, lectures, and custom acts from healthcare and educational institutions (including Fontys Hogeschool voor de Kunsten); and individual donations starting at €5 plus sponsorship. There is no proprietary technology platform; the technology stack is limited to standard website and payment tooling (Elementor, Wistia, Polylang, Mollie, Intercom, Google Analytics). Distribution is direct-to-venue and direct-to-audience through a multilingual website agenda.

The organization is governed by a three-person directorate (Sanne Arbouw, Merel van Lieshout, Kir Robben) with functional teams covering marketing, communications, production, choreography, community social work, dance teaching, and theatre making. It has approximately 11-50 employees supplemented by a larger company member roster assembled per production. Notable recognitions include the 2016 NTR Radioprijs, 2025 Korte Golf Wedstrijd, 2025 Theatrekrant Critic's Choice for CONTENT WARNING: weinig prikkels, features in NRC, Volkskrant, AD, Brabants Dagblad, NPO Radio 1, and reportedly influencing a Van Dale dictionary entry.

Name

Speels Collectief

Legal name

Stichting Speels Collectief

Website

https://speelscollectief.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Speels Collectief is a Dutch mixed-abled theatre foundation (Stichting) headquartered in Tilburg with a community hub in Arnhem, producing inclusive theatre, dance, podcasts, and workshops serving audiences across Dutch theatres, festivals, healthcare, and educational institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (7115)

akta.pro primary industry

Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI)

Keywords

• Inclusive theatre productions
• Mixed-abled dance performances
• Accessibility workshop services
• Community performing arts
• Socio-artistic programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Arnhem, Gelderland

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government and Cultural Grants: Multi-year structural funding from public cultural funds including Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, Gemeente Tilburg, Stichting Jacques de Leeuw, Gemeente Arnhem, Stichting Doen, Vaillant Fonds, and Cultuurfonds. The foundation has held ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) cultural status since 2020.
2. Performance Bookings and Custom Acts: Revenue generated from booking the company for performances, custom acts, workshops, lectures, and speaking engagements at theatres, festivals, conferences, and events.
3. Donations: Individual donations accepted on a one-time, monthly, or annual basis, starting from €5. Donations fund the development and execution of cultural activities aligned with the foundation's mission.
4. Sponsorship and Partnerships: Partnership and sponsorship opportunities offered to businesses and organisations interested in supporting inclusive arts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Speels Collectief is a Dutch mixed-abled theatre collective that creates inclusive theatrical performances and dance works with diverse, non-normative bodies, and delivers them through Dutch theatres, festivals, and public spaces. The foundation also offers commissioned workshops, custom acts, lectures, and knowledge-sharing for healthcare and educational institutions, and runs community groups in Tilburg and Arnhem for ongoing inclusive arts participation.

Product overview

Speels Collectief is a diverse, mixed-abled theater company that creates theatrical performances, dance works, workshops, podcasts, and manages community groups. Their core productions include IK BEN KAMER 15 (audio documentary theater about psychiatric care), WIJ ZIJN HIER (community dance in public spaces), USUALLY I'M ON TOP (exploring femininity and sexuality), LOVE ME BY THE HOUR (about compensated intimacy), CONTENT WARNING: weinig prikkels (low-stimulus performance), DE KEGELCLUB (absurd theater), LAY DOWN AND LIFT ME UP (intimate dance with hoist), and TAKE ME OUT (interactive dating performance). They also offer shorter acts derived from their productions (Sensual Dance Trio, TILLIFTDUET), educational workshops on inclusive theater practices, knowledge sharing services, podcasts, and maintain Community Groups in Arnhem and Tilburg for ongoing inclusive performing arts participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IK BEN KAMER 15
• WIJ ZIJN HIER
• CONTENT WARNING: weinig prikkels
• LOVE ME BY THE HOUR
• USUALLY I'M ON TOP
• DE KEGELCLUB
• LAY DOWN AND LIFT ME UP
• TAKE ME OUT
• Sensual Dance Trio
• TILLIFTDUET (Elevator Duet)
• Introduction to Inclusive Theater/Dance Workshop
• Workshop for Education (MBO and universities)
• Workshop in Social Context
• Knowledge Sharing / Consulting
• Podcast (Van Haar Sokkel and external appearances)
• Community Groups (Arnhem and Tilburg)

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported by multiple major Dutch cultural funds (Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, Stichting Doen, Cultuurfonds, Vaillant Fonds) and municipalities including Tilburg and Arnhem, indicating institutional validation.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Fontys Hogeschool voor de KunstencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for performances and research. The company collaborates with Fontys students and faculty. Ulrike Doszmann, choreographer, gives Movement Classes at Fontys. The partnership includes rehearsal and performance venues, student involvement in productions, and collaborative research. Listed as collaboration partner in WIJ ZIJN HIER credits.
• Schouwburg TilburgmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre venue in Tilburg providing support and venue access. Listed with thanks in IK BEN KAMER 15 credits.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• DOX: Dutch multidisciplinary performing arts company producing socially engaged, contemporary work. Comparable in scale and in mission to make contemporary performing arts accessible to non-traditional audiences.
• Vloeistof: Dutch dance/performance company where Speels Collectief's choreographer Ulrike Doszmann also performs. Closely linked Dutch dance peer with overlapping aesthetic and personnel.

Regional players

• Introdans: Netherlands-based subsidized dance company touring Dutch theaters with both classical and contemporary repertoire. Comparable touring infrastructure and venue relationships, though not disability-led.

Broad incumbents

• Het Nationale Theater: Major Dutch subsidized theater in Den Haag that books Speels Collectief for performances (IK BEN KAMER 15). Functions as both venue partner and broader incumbent in the same national theater market.
• Internationaal Theater Amsterdam: Largest Dutch repertory theater company (formerly Toneelgroep Amsterdam). Broad incumbent in the Dutch theater landscape that books venues Speels Collectief tours, with overlapping audiences but a fundamentally different artistic and operating model.

Direct peers

• Back to Back Theatre: Australia-based ensemble theater company of artists with disabilities, known internationally for inclusive, experimental performance. Closest international peer in disability-led ensemble practice.
• Candoco Dance Company: UK-based dance company of disabled and non-disabled performers. Highly comparable to Speels Collectief's mixed-abled dance/theater work (e.g., WIJ ZIJN HIER, USUALLY I'M ON TOP).
• Theater Babel: Rotterdam-based Dutch theater company focused on mixed-abled and inclusive theater productions. The most direct Dutch peer: comparable mission, comparable mixed-abled cast, comparable touring model through Dutch theaters.
• AXIS Dance Company: US-based mixed-abled (disabled and non-disabled) dance company with comparable community/education programming and inclusive choreography. Relevant for dance-led inclusive practice comparison.
• Graeae Theatre Company: UK-based disabled-led theater company creating work with Deaf and disabled artists. Direct international peer in mixed-abled/disability-led theater with similar artistic and access-driven mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCS21xexneE2UjH9ZRM6_ipA
• Facebookfacebook.com/speelscollectief
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/speelscollectief
• Instagraminstagram.com/speelscollectief

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Speels Collectief