Over the past year the Bourn-based centre has developed its unique brand of away day, the Creative Accelerator programme, to demonstrate that skills in the creative sector can be transferred to the world of business.
This morning, at an inaugural business brunch, directors and chief executives from Cambridge-based companies were shown how Wysing could help mobilise their company’s creativity as they were guided round the inspirational 11 acre meadowland site, which includes artists’ studios, a gallery, outdoor sculptures and a 17th Century farmhouse.
The experience was intended to offer a flavour of the Wysing’s new bespoke business tours, which can be tailored to different budgets and can include a welcome by the Director, a Curator talk on a gallery exhibition and a studio visit with an artist and a range of refreshments.
Guests, including John Bridge, CEO of Cambridge Chamber of Commerce; Martin Garratt, CEO of Cambridge Cleantech and Tom Holbrook, Director of architects 5th Studio, also met with studio and residency artists Bettina Furnée, Rupert Norfolk and Caroline Wendling to hear about how businesses can develop a collecting group and make the most of sponsorship opportunities.
Those attending were also told about the opportunity to use Wysing Arts Centre’s RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Award-winning buildings for their own away days, events and receptions through space hire, and given details of technical facilities and technical support designed to meet every need.
Donna Lynas, Director of Wysing Arts Centre, said: “It was wonderful to host some of Cambridgeshire’s business community at Wysing today. We have been making new business connections throughout 2013 and it’s great to hear how businesses are keen to work with us, in ways that are mutually useful; from staff development through to using our site in new ways. I look forward to seeing how these exciting new initiatives develop.”
A booking for an away day as already been made. Follow our business profile on Twitter for up to date news and opportunities @WysingBusiness
Collecting groups
Wysing currently works with three Cambridge based companies (accountancy firm Price Bailey, insurance brokers La Playa and law firm Taylor Vinters) on a commissioning and collecting programme. The companies jointly commission work and share the collection. Alongside staff development opportunities the programme offers business to business networking. Businesses are welcome to join a new collecting group, or Wysing could start a group for a company and businesses they want to work with.
Space Hire
Wysing is set in inspirational grounds near Cambridge and has a unique creative energy. Our spaces are ideal for meetings and away days, or for events and receptions in a contemporary and individual setting. We have a range of spaces including seminar rooms with technical facilities and technical support, meeting rooms and break-out spaces.
Creative Accelerator Programme
The programme looks at subjects, including communication and negotiation, and works with artists to achieve staff training and development activity. David Gill, Managing Director of St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge, says: “Cambridge often hosts visits from clusters overseas asking how they can bottle creativity to use when they're back home. We ourselves don't fully understand the inspiration behind innovation and entrepreneurship. Creative Accelerator Workshops represent a rare opportunity to see how businesses can learn to deal imaginatively and consistently with blockages and overcome persistent barriers.”
Evening Tour
Businesses can entertain clients with an alternative evening tour of Wysing. We tailor packages to different budgets and can include a welcome by the Director, a Curator talk about a gallery exhibition, a studio visit with an artist and a tour of the site. Refreshments can range from a glass of wine through to a seated hot dinner in our Garden Room.
"Wysing is an amazing place, very inspiring, a catalyst for new ideas!" - business participant feedback
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For further information, interviews and images please contact:
Matthew Gaw, External Relations Manager, Wysing Arts Centre
01954 717108 [email protected]
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Inaugural business brunch takes place at Wysing
4 October 2013
Senior members of the business community visited Wysing Arts Centre yesterday (Thurs) to see a range of original packages designed to develop staff, entertain clients, and promote companies’ profiles.