Jules van Iperen
In the center of Tilburg, where culture and education come together, Schouwburg & Concertzaal Tilburg is not only a stage for major performances; it is also a place where the next generation of artists and thinkers is being formed. Here, young people from Tilburg and the surrounding area are given the chance to discover their creativity and develop their vision of the world. It is more than just a theatre; it is a springboard for the future.
“I want the path to the theatre and quality arts education to be accessible for all children in our city!” says Gwen Sengers, Programmer for youth & education. “We achieve this by lowering barriers and ensuring that children from all backgrounds and situations have the opportunity to experience art and culture and identify with it.” Schouwburg & Concertzaal Tilburg collaborates with schools to make cultural education a fixed part of the curriculum. The performances are just as diverse as society itself, ranging from a performance about a non-existent lucky bird to a story about a girl in an asylum seeker center. “In this way, culture becomes accessible to everyone and we give children the chance to discover the diversity of the world,” says Gwen Sengers.
Cultural education has a tremendous impact on children and youth. Education is about more than just learning and understanding information; it is also about 'guiding' and 'experiencing'. When asked if their annual theatre visit contributes to their teaching, educational staff respond with an emphatic 'Yes!'. Performances like The Letters of Mia, Pippi Powerrrr, and Strange Duck, as well as Martin Luther King have created a lot of impact. They served as a powerful starting point for lessons about History, Citizenship, and numerous group discussions or mentoring lessons. Even outside the classrooms, cultural education is an enrichment: "Looking at art is also an art," says Gwen Sengers, "it helps you relate your feelings to yourself and others. It fosters creativity, social skills, and self-reflection, and contributes to the development of citizenship and community."
As an ambassador, you make cultural education possible in Tilburg. Thanks to your contribution, around 12,000 Tilburg students (often for the first time) can experience the magic of theatre every year. Additionally, as an ambassador, you enjoy special extras, such as priority for the best seats, a 10% discount on nearly all concerts and performances, special tours, exclusive events, and even tax benefits as a partner. Become an ambassador and purchase your tickets for the new season with priority access. With over 400 performances and concerts in the new theatre season, there is plenty of choice, and you contribute to the cultural offerings for Tilburg's youth.
The complete programme for '25-'26 will be available online starting Friday, May 9, at schouwburgconcertzaaltilburg.nl. From Saturday, May 24, at 12:00 PM, you can buy tickets for performances and concerts in the new theatre season. The exclusive pre-sale for Ambassadors starts on Wednesday, May 21.