What is "Pay What You Can"?
An inclusive system that makes culture accessible to everyone
We believe in a fairer world where the cost of a ticket is no longer a barrier to accessing culture, and where everyone has the opportunity to decide, based on their own circumstances, how much they can afford to spend. With ‘Pay what you can’, you decide for yourself how much you can afford to pay for a ticket to a show.
Pay What You Can in Brussels
‘Pay What You Can’—not to be confused with ‘Pay What You Want’—is a fair and inclusive pricing model that allows some people to pay less because others have been able to pay more. No need to justify yourself, no guilt, but a sense of responsibility when paying, with a system based on reciprocity.
In Brussels, we’re not the first to introduce this system: Le Kaai, Le Rideau, La Balsamine, Le 140, Atelier 210, CC Jacques Franck, UP!...
Good news: over the 2022–23 season, a study by VisitBrussels noted a renewal and a younger audience in our theatres following the introduction of this system. Another pleasant surprise: “for the most part, (financial) equilibrium has been achieved and the average price per seat is roughly the same.”
How does the ‘Pay What You Can’ scheme work at Varia?
For each show, you can choose from a range of prices. The suggested price is underlined: this is the price you would have paid without the ‘Pay what you can’ scheme. It’s up to you to decide whether this price suits you or if you need to adjust it. Are you able to pay a little more for your ticket? Thank you – you’re helping to make culture accessible to everyone!
Théâtre Varia: €35 / €26 / €21 / €16 / €12
Studio Varia: €26 / €21 / €16 / €12 / €9