Do you love the live experience, but want to experience something outside of the confines of the black box of the theatre and the white cube of the museum? Then Beyond the Black Box is the festival for you. For four days, de Brakke Grond will be transformed into a living laboratory for artists who operate in between and beyond the confines of theater, dance, visual arts and digital media.
Artists build virtual worlds, create collective rituals and let images breathe. New forms of togetherness emerge, with meaning sprouting from movements, sounds and encounters.
The entire building is used as a living network of experiences. Some works call for action, others for silence and attention. The festival forms an artistic playground where you discover installations, performances, and interventions—from intimate one-on-one encounters to large-scale spectacles.
Beyond the Black Box is a festival for those who are curious about what art can be. A four-day adventure full of movement, attention, and experimentation—where disciplines blur, boundaries shift, and audience and artist explore new worlds together. Immerse yourself in the program and be surprised by art that gets under your skin.
Already curious? Watch the aftermovie of Beyond the Black Box 2025 here and get a taste of the atmosphere.
Day pass
A day pass is required to visit Festival Beyond the Black Box. This day pass gives you access to the entire festival. Curious about work shown on different days? This year, you can also purchase a passe-partout: this gives you access to all four days of the festival.
→ Day pass: €25
→ Discounted day pass (students/CJP): €15
→ Day pass (Stadspas): €2.50
→ Passe-partout: €45
→ Discounted passe-partout (students/CJP): €30
For some performances and programs of the festival, you will need to make a reservation as they have limited capacity. Reservations can be made on site at the festival at our ticket wall. Want to be sure of a spot for a specific performance? Then be sure to arrive on time, because once it's full, it's full! But even without reservations, there is a lot to discover during the festival.
During the festival, you can reserve a spot for the following performances at our ticket wall:
Martha Canga Antonio - Holy
Samuel Baidoo - Plum Road Tea Dream_The Performance
Evelien Cammaert - Trees and Memories
Layla Önlen - Bismillah
Emi Kodama - A tender roller coaster ride
Mahsa Koochak i.s.m. Laura Boser, Raha Tafakori & Dariya Trubina - Touchscape: Camping Beyond Reasoning
Ontroerend Goed - Handle with Care
Jozef Wouters - Spaces for the Night
During the festival King Sisters will present ZING ONTBIJT: an unusual musical start to your day. This performance is open to everyone aged 7 and above. For the performances outside of our regular opening hours, you can buy a ticket online for €10 (ticket price includes a delicious breakfast, coffee and tea). Showtimes outside of regular opening hours are the following:
→ Saturday February 14th, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
→ Saturday February 14th, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
→ Sunday February 15th, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
For ZING ONTBIJT on Sunday February 15th from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., you can purchase a ticket for €10 at the information desk on site.
Accessibility
The general info on accessibility in de Brakke Grond can be found here.
Relaxed venue
During Beyond the Black Box, de Brakke Grond is a relaxed venue. This means that there will be a less formal atmosphere during the festival. During the performances, for example, the audience is free to make noise, move around, leave the room, and come back in. We will also make more detailed information about the sensory and content-related stimuli of the performances available online in advance. This gives visitors the opportunity to make informed choices. In addition, everyone is welcome to take a break in the rest area or rustruimte during the festival. In doing so, we wish to make the festival more accessible to anyone who feels restricted by conventional ‘theater etiquette’.
Rest area
In between all the sensory impressions, there is also room for rest and reflection. In the rest area, you can relax, draw, listen, or chat. Collect your thoughts and retreat in peace to one of the seating areas provided. We dim the lights and provide sound-absorbing headphones.
Also accessible for children
Because it is possible to make noise, move around freely, and leave the space if necessary, families with children are very welcome. On Saturdays and Sundays, the festival is free for children under 12. You can ask more information about the suitability of the various performances for children at the information desk.
Do you have any other questions about the accessibility of the festival that are not answered above? If so, you can always send an email to lucia.lompe@brakkegrond.nl.
Festival Beyond the Black Box is an initiative of Vlaams Cultuurhuis de Brakke Grond, in collaboration with Platform 0090, C-TAKT, and SoAP Maastricht.
FAQ
What can I expect from Festival Black Box?
Festival Beyond the Black Box offers a multifaceted experience, offering you the opportunity to experience art in different ways. You will find ongoing installations that you can visit throughout the festival, as well as live performances that take place at specific times.
Some works invite you to actively participate, for example by following (simple) instructions and thus contributing to the artwork. Other works can be experienced in a more contemplative way, by looking or listening. Beyond the Black Box is all about discovery, interaction, and special encounters with art.
Do I have to be on time, or can I enter the festival at any time?
Some installations are open continuously, and you can walk in and out at any time. For performances that are tied to specific times, you must show up on time. Once they have started, you will not be able to join anymore.
Do I need a ticket to enter the festival?
Yes, you need a day pass to enter the festival. More information about the day pass and ticket prices can be found if you scroll to the top of this page. Would you prefer to come to the festival for several days? Then you're better off with a passe-partout. You can also find information about this when you scroll to the top.
In addition, you will need to make a free reservation for certain performances and programs due to capacity restrictions. You can make this reservation on site at our ticket wall. Want to be sure of a spot for a specific performance? Then be sure to arrive on time, because once it's full, it's full!
For the King Sisters' performance ZING ONTBIJT, you will need to purchase an additional ticket on top of your day pass. A ticket for ZING ONTBIJT costs €10 and includes coffee, tea, and a delicious breakfast.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Yes, you can buy tickets at the door! When you arrive at the venue, you can easily purchase a day pass or passe-partout. For specific performances that require a separate (but free) reservation, you can make the reservation on site at our ticket wall. For programs that can only accommodate a small group of visitors, reservations can go quickly, so be sure to arrive on time if you want to see a specific performance.
For which programs do you need to make a reservation on site?
Martha Canga Antonio - Holy
Samuel Baidoo - Plum Road Tea Dream_The Performance
Evelien Cammaert - Trees and Memories
Layla Önlen - Bismillah
Emi Kodama - A tender roller coaster ride
Mahsa Koochak i.s.m. Laura Boser, Raha Tafakori & Dariya Trubina - Touchscape: Camping Beyond Reasoning
Ontroerend Goed - Handle with Care
Jozef Wouters - Spaces for the Night
I have a question about my ticket, what should I do?
For questions about tickets, you can always email kassa@brakkegrond.nl. They will be happy to help.
Where can I find my tickets?
Once payment has been completed, you will receive the tickets by email. Please also check your junk mail/spam folder, as the tickets may have ended up there by mistake. If you have not received your tickets, you can always email kassa@brakkegrond.nl.
Will I get my money back if I can't come after all?
No, we do not accept returns of day passes or passe-partouts. However, you can of course give your ticket to someone else.
Can I pay cash at Beyond the Black Box?
Tickets for Beyond the Black Box can only be paid for by debit or credit card. The café however accepts cash.
Is there a cloakroom?
Yes, coat hooks are available at de Brakke Grond. Please note, however, that these are unattended and must be used at your own risk.
Can I take photos and videos during the performances?
You are free to take photos and videos of the ongoing installations and performances. You are not allowed to take any images of the performances for which you need to make a reservation. Exceptions to this rule are the following performances:
Martha Canga Antonio - HOLY
Emily Mast & DEGASTEN - IFIF
Are food and drinks available at the festival?
Our café offers an extensive range of food and drinks, including vegetarian and vegan options. See the café menu here.
Can non-Dutch-speaking visitors attend the festival?
Yes, the festival is also accessible to non-Dutch speakers. Many performances are non-verbal or in English. This information can be found on the web pages for each separate performance.
How can I contact you for more information?
For further questions, please contact de Brakke Grond at info@brakkegrond.nl.
Can I bring my dog?
Only service dogs are allowed at the festival. Unfortunately, other pets are not allowed inside.
I lost something at the festival, what now?
We collect all lost items found at the festival at our office. Please email info@brakkegrond.nl.
