First business sponsors announced for Cows about Cambridge
Seventeen businesses are today (Wednesday, June 5) being announced as the first corporate sponsors for Cows about Cambridge, one of the largest mass participation art events ever to come to the city.
This world-class public art trail will be live for 10 weeks from March 30 to June 7, 2020. It is expected to reach 350,000 residents and visitors while raising around £250,000 for local children’s charity, Break, and generating more than £8million of economic value for the region.
In order of sign up, the businesses are: Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID), The Gonville Hotel, Aspiration Europe, The Grafton, Cambridge Leisure, The Lion Yard Shopping Centre, 10 Creative, Anglia Ruskin University, Bidwells, John Lewis, The Ridgeon Group, Stagecoach East, Ashtons Legal, Cambridge Assessment, Lanpro, Cambridge Distillery, and Deloitte UK.
More than 50 individually-designed cow sculptures will form a trail of discovery across the city next spring, encouraging residents and employees from Cambridge and the surrounding areas to explore their environment from an exciting new perspective.
Schools and colleges are also invited to adopt and design their own ‘mini moos’, as part of a county-wide learning programme. Community groups also have the opportunity to tell their stories by working with a regional artist to decorate their very own cow.
Cows about Cambridge is delivered by creative producers Wild in Art in partnership with Break, and is supported by inaugural sponsor and principal partner, Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID).
“This has already become a feel-good project for the city; we challenge you to read the cow puns without smiling - or groaning!” commented Ian Sandison, CEO of Cambridge BID.
“However, there is definitely a more serious side. The initiative provides a unique opportunity for businesses to engage with their stakeholders.
"Sponsors of previous events have leveraged a huge amount of added value and kudos by adopting a creative approach to their involvement - for example, through bespoke events, merchandise and impactful campaigns linked to their chosen design. Let your imaginations run wild!”
Edward Adshead, general manager at sponsor The Gonville Hotel, said: “I first had the opportunity to experience a Wild in Art event during the 2012 Olympics while running a hotel in central London. Like so many of my own hotel guests and locals, I completed a number of the walks to try and find as many of the sculptures as possible.
"Even though I worked in the city every day, the sculptures got me exploring the city and it really added to a magical atmosphere.”
The project team is keen to connect with other businesses.
“We currently have 17 confirmed sponsors, as well as a significant number of ongoing conversations,” said Julie Gaskell, head of partnerships at Wild in Art.
“If you’d like to chew the cud with us, we’d be delighted to talk you through the different ways in which involvement as a cow sponsor, official supporter or presenting partner could benefit your business.”
To find out about the range of sponsorship opportunities available, contact Julie Gaskell at: julie@wildinart.co.uk.
Discover more about Cows about Cambridge by visiting cowsaboutcambridge.co.uk or #cowsaboutcambridge.
