Zinnema

Name

Zinnema

Legal name

Zinnema Open Talentenhuis in Brussel vzw

Website

https://zinnema.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Center

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Nightclub & Small Live Venue Operations (Clubs, Bars with Stages) (MPAGALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

A&R / Artist Development Services (MPAIAGAL)

Keywords

• Performing arts center
• Artist residency programs
• Amateur arts support
• Venue rental services
• Cultural workshop training

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Venue and Space Rental: Zinnema rents out multiple spaces including Scene (large professional venue), Studios 1-4, Café, and Expo Hall for rehearsals, performances, conferences, and events. Rental is coordinated through a request form with customized quotes.
2. Public Subsidies and Grants: Primary funding from Flemish Community (Vlaamse Gemeenschap) and Flemish Community Commission (VGC). Additional support from National Lottery for specific programs like Brussels Bijoux.
3. Ticket Sales: Revenue from event tickets using Pay What You Can pricing model (€3-€15). Also accepts Article 27 vouchers (€1.25) for vulnerable populations.
4. Workshop Fees: Educational workshops in theater and stage lighting offered at tiered pricing (€60-€270) with discounts for OPENDOEK members.
5. Equipment Rental: Rental service for stage equipment including lights, sound, stands, cables, and accessories. Technical advice provided. Sound equipment through VGC rental service partnership.
6. Café and Bar Services: On-site café operated during events and performances, serving beverages and providing informal gathering space for artists and audiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zinnema is a non-profit Open Talent House that rents out multi-purpose performing arts spaces (Scene, Studios 1-4, Café, Expo Hall), rents performing-arts equipment, and delivers theater and lighting workshops, artist residency programs (Makerslab, Slow Residents, RAM), and a Pay What You Can ticketed events program. Its flagship talent initiative, Brussels Bijoux, develops amateur artists into productions showcased at Bozar and KVS.

Product overview

Zinnema is an Open Talent House (Open Talentenhuis) in Brussels offering a multi-service arts platform centered around venue and equipment rental, workshops, ticketing, artist residencies, and programmed events. Core offerings include: Zaalhuur (multi-space venue rental: Scene, Studios 1-4, Café, Expo Hal), Materiaalhuur (performing arts equipment rental with VGC cooperation), and Workshops (theater and lighting courses). Programming includes Evenementen (events), the annual resident artists program, and thematic programs such as Brussels Bijoux (bridging amateur and professional arts with performances at Bozar/KVS). Ticketing uses a Pay What You Can solidarity model with Article 27 and Paspartoe support. The Makerslab provides 1-2 year residencies with production budgets and coaching for emerging amateur artists. Supporting services include an on-site Café and an archive of past seasons.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zaalhuur (Venue Rental) Rental of multiple spaces (Scene, Studio 1-4, Café, Expo Hal) for concerts, theater, dance, film, meetings, receptions, and exhibitions, with a customized quote process. Targeted at amateur artists, small theater companies, and event organizers in Brussels.
• Materiaalhuur (Equipment Rental) Rental of performing arts equipment (lighting, spots, stands, cables, accessories) with technical advisory on lighting plans and stage rigs. Sound equipment delivered via structural cooperation with VGC. Targeted at amateur productions, schools, and small companies.
• Workshops (Theater and Theaterlicht) Educational workshops in theater creation and theater lighting at four tracks (Theater - De basis, Creatie op tempo, Creatie in de diepte, Theaterlicht - De basis, Theaterlicht - De praktijk) taught by instructors including Eline George and Bart Meeusen, with OPENDOEK member discounts.
• Brussels Bijoux Annual talent development program offering amateur artists intensive artistic and technical guidance to create productions performed on the stages of Bozar and KVS, with accessible €12 ticket pricing and All Over The Palace Festival access. The 4th edition featured Izo Pinay, Nina Plantefève-Castryck, Meike de Roest, and Tshimundu.
• Evenementen (Programmed Events) Seasonal programming of performances and events in theater, dance, music, and exhibitions across Zinnema's venues, with archive spanning 2016-2017 onward and themed seasons including Take It Slow (2022-23), continuing through I Do F*cking Care (2025-26).
• Pay What You Can Ticketing Solidarity-based ticketing system with four variable tiers (€3, €5, €10, €15), Article 27 acceptance at €1.25 for vulnerable groups, and Paspartoe discount at €2 for eligible holders, sold online via Ticketmatic and on-site at reception.
• Café On-site café operating as the social hub of Zinnema, open during performances and as a meeting space during opening hours, available for private hire for receptions, group events, workshops, and parties, coordinated by the Horeca Coordinator.
• Makerslab Residency One-to-two year residency program for amateur and emerging artists providing Studio 1, Scene, and Café access, block-based production budgets, artistic coaching, peer learning, and feedback sessions, with the 2027-2028 cycle themed In Between.
• Resident Artists Program Annual artist-in-residence cohort (17 artists for 2025-2026 season) supporting leisure-time artists (amateurs, recent graduates, and self-made artists) with production support, coaching, and presentation opportunities.
• Slow Residents Summer residency program hosting artists including All-Turn, Jorden van el Pellizco, Amunaso, Flower Chris, Tobias Volckaert, Audrey Leboutte, Collectivo Azucar Morena, Nina Rose, RASUL, and others for creative development.
• Rediscovering Ancestral Movement (RAM) Residency and exchange program introducing Talawa Technique™ for self-taught and trained dancers to support decolonizing Black bodies in Western dance, co-organized with The Need for Legacy (Netherlands) and Tabanka Dance Ensemble (Norway), with partners MDF the Label and Timiss.

Quantifiable outcome

• 44 project proposals submitted for single Brussels Bijoux open call, demonstrating strong artist interest
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• Ancienne BelgiquemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Premier Brussels concert venue collaborating on BIG in BXL youth program with JES Brussels and Zinnema. Resulting production presented at AB Club.
• BeursschouwburgmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Brussels community cultural center partnering on BIG in BXL youth cultural event.
• JES BrusselscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Youth cultural organization leading BIG in BXL project with support from Ancienne Belgique, Beursschouwburg, and Zinnema. Week-long residencies for young artists culminating in AB Club performance.
• Peeping TomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Professional dance company co-producing 'No Words' with Zinnema. Movement coach Fons Dhossche from Peeping Tom contributed to the production. Represents collaboration between professional and leisure arts sectors.
• BozarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Brussels Bijoux collaboration - Bozar serves as one of the prestigious performance venues for the project. Selected artists present their work at Bozar's main stage, providing professional exposure typically unavailable to amateur artists. The collaboration includes 12€ ticket pricing with access to All Over The Palace Festival.
• KVS (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024KVS partners with Zinnema on Brussels Bijoux, serving as a venue for selected artist presentations. The €12 combiticket grants access to two performances at KVS. Jury member Gerardo Salinas from KVS participates in selection process.
• VGC (Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie)coreOthers · 1 December 2024Primary funder and subsidizing body for Zinnema's general operations. Provides structural funding and additional support for Brussels Bijoux. Zinnema's equipment rental service has structural cooperation with VGC's rental service for sound equipment.
• Nationale Loterij (National Lottery)majorOthers · 1 December 2024Provides financial support for Brussels Bijoux project as part of cultural funding initiatives.
• OPENDOEK vzwmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Flemish amateur arts organization collaborating on Brussels Bijoux. Jury member Joke Quaghebeur from OPENDOEK participates in artist selection. Offers member discounts on Zinnema workshops.
• N22majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Brussels cultural organization participating in Brussels Bijoux collaboration. Jury member Steffi De Cuyper from N22 involved in selection process.
• The Need for LegacymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Dutch platform for creators, performers, and researchers of color. Co-organizer of Rediscovering Ancestral Movement residency with Zinnema and Tabanka Dance Ensemble. Platform fosters inclusive Dutch performing arts scene.
• Tabanka Dance EnsemblemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Norwegian company - first and only Black dance company focused on African diaspora dances in Scandinavia. Co-organizer of residency program. Introduces Talawa Technique™ for decolonizing Black bodies in Western dance.
• TimisssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Grassroots organization working with street/urban communities to promote dance cultures. Collaborating on Rediscovering Ancestral Movement program.
• MDF the LabelsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Organization bridging Europe, Africa, and Caribbean for Afro-Caribbean dances and cultures. Promotes culture from intercultural, intersectional, and decolonial perspective. Partner for Rediscovering Ancestral Movement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• NTGent: Flemish city theater in Ghet with a national repertory profile and emerging-artist programming. Overlaps on artist development and Dutch-language performing arts but at significantly larger institutional scale.
• Bozar (Centre for Fine Arts): Brussels' premier multidisciplinary arts center and Zinnema partner on Brussels Bijoux. A much larger established institution that provides showcase venues but competes for the same premium cultural audience.
• KVS (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg): Brussels' flagship Flemish-language theater and a Zinnema partner on Brussels Bijoux. Operates at significantly larger scale but overlaps on showcase programming for emerging Brussels artists.
• DE SINGEL: Antwerp international arts center presenting theater, dance, and music with an artist-development remit. Comparable Flemish performing-arts venue profile at city-scale.

Direct peers

• Kaaitheater: Brussels performing arts venue presenting theater, dance, and music with a strong focus on emerging and experimental work. Closely comparable venue/programming model targeting Brussels audiences with similar artistic-development ambitions.
• Ancienne Belgique (AB): Premier Brussels concert venue that co-produces BIG in BXL youth programming with Zinnema. Operates live music and emerging-artist programming in the same city and audience segment.
• Viernulvier: Ghent-based music and performing arts venue combining concerts, club programming, and artist development. Comparable multi-disciplinary Flemish venue-and-residency model, though operating in a different Flemish city.
• La Raffinerie (Charleroi Danse): Brussels dance venue and residency hub operated by Charleroi Danse. Comparable artist-development and studio-rental model targeting emerging choreographers in the same Brussels market.
• Beursschouwburg: Brussels community cultural center combining venue programming, residencies, and accessible ticketing. Directly partnered with Zinnema on BIG in BXL and serves the same Brussels amateur/emerging audience with a comparable multi-disciplinary model.

Regional players

• Het Nationale Theater: Dutch national theater with comparable residency and emerging-talent programming for Dutch-language performing artists. Operates in the Netherlands rather than the Brussels market, but serves an adjacent artistic ecosystem through cross-border collaborations like Rediscovering Ancestral Movement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/brusselsbijoux
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zinnema

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Zinnema