Corporate Work

We are problem solvers who use art and love collaborating, so we welcome approaches from businesses seeking a fresh approach to what they do, browse some of our case studies below.

To discuss your requirements, no matter how speculative or vague, outlandish or prosaic please don’t hesitate to contact our Artistic Director, James Yarker james@stanscafe.co.uk

Launch Event: Two Snowhill

Launch Event: Two Snowhill

Working in partnership with Headline Communications, we presented a bespoke version of our internationally acclaimed performance installation Of All The People In All The World to celebrate the opening of Two Snowhill, a new Grade A office building on large floor plates of up to 24,000 square feet.

This performance gave Hines and Ballymore, the building’s developers, a memorable VIP launch event and a public attraction in their completed building that drew significant media coverage.

Of All The People In All The World uses piles of rice to measure out human population statistics in an elegant, ever-changing landscape. The choice of these statistics was informed by the activity visible from this landmark building and celebrated the work of Hines and Ballymore and those who had worked on the development.

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CSR: Space Escape

CSR: Space Escape

As part of their CSR KPMG’s Birmingham office wanted to support schools in their teaching of maths and give their staff a chance to work with students.

In consultation with both KPMG and Holy Family Catholic Primary School, in Small Heath we created Space Escape, a maths adventure.

On National Numeracy Day, KPMG volunteers joined small groups of children as they worked against the clock to solve six space themed maths problems. If they they were correct their six single digit answers would form the code to unlock metal suitcase, inside of which was a big red launch button waiting to be pressed so everyone can escape their plant surface space mat.

Through the day KPMG staff worked with five year groups on different variations on the challenge adjusted to match the appropriate maths curriculum demands. The ‘accountants’ had a hugely rewarding day, the students had never been so eager or tenacious with their maths and the teachers were delighted.

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Training: City Adventure

Training: City Adventure

A City Adventure was originally commissioned in 2002 by Creative Partnerships as a training day for teachers. Our brief was to encourage participants be more confident, to think in new ways, see things from new perspectives and be more comfortable taking calculated risks. Our solution delivered these objectives as well winning over sceptical members of staff, building relationships and boosting morale.

The morning consists of an orienteering adventure, with choices of creative challenges coming in sealed envelopes and encounters with artists in the city.
As a result the day has been run many times since in various cities, for teachers and non-teacher clients including employees of Arts Council England at both regional and national level.

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Conference: Everyone’s Business

Conference: Everyone’s Business

When University of Birmingham Business School wanted to present some research findings in a dramatic new way they turned to Stan’s Cafe.

The company’s director read the report, consulted with the lead researcher Prof. Kiran Trehan and wove key messages into a short and entertaining play. This play was then performed around a table at a conference launching Professor Trehan’s report.

Delegates commented on how this form of presentation was engaging, easy to digest and impactful. Subjects of the research were complimentary about how well the drama matched up to their personal real life experiences.

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Launch Event: The Landsdowne

Launch  Event: The Landsdowne

Property Managers Way Of Life wanted a memorable and highly personal event to launch and promote their new apartment building, The Landsdowne. We suggested a revival of our groundbreaking theatre show It’s Your Film.

Just 270 seconds long and performed for just one person at a time this production succeeded in drawing publicity, a buzz of excitement and a curious crowd of the target audience, young professionals. It created a memorable VIP launch event and then attracted potential customers to the building through the subsequent week.

Arriving for their personal performances in timed slots meant members of the Way of Life team were able to engage with visitors individually and give them tours of the Landsdowne’s show apartments. Lingering before and after the performance waiting for friends of family to emerge from the show meant visitors also got to experience the Landsdowne’s communal spaces which are a key element of the building’s offer.

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Birmingham City Council: Feedback

Birmingham City Council: Feedback

Birmingham City Council asked us to undertake an in-depth enquiry into the young people’s attitudes to their city and to convince them that their voices were being heard. In response we created Trailblazers, an active consultation with 240 Year 9 students from ten schools across the city.

The young people showed us their home territory and then together we explored an area of the city they were unfamiliar with. Throughout the young people took photographs and talked with us.

Their photographs, feedback and direct quotes were collated and published as a brand new map of the city. This map was presented to the Lord Mayor at an event which brought all the participants together in discussion at the council house before forming a council of the future in the Council Chamber, with Councillors joining, teachers and other city stakeholders in the public gallery to watch the voting.

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Conference: The Commentators

Conference: The Commentators

The Commentators bring Sports Radio commentary to the conference hall / awards evening. Birmingham Young Professional of The Year, in its 19th Edition was looking to reinvent itself and called The Commentators in who they provided a point of interest and engagement in the foyer for arrivals and entertainment through the meal.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games engaged The Commentators to give 800 delegates arriving at the International Convention Centre a sense of anticipation.  Later in the event they enlivened the presentation by engaging with host Colin Jackson and encouraging audience engagement.  Their improvisational skills made them ideal collaborators to step in and cover for any glitches that arose or give events a genuinely unique spin.

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If you don’t see what you need in the case studies below don’t be disheartened, we love a challenge and could make something brand new just for you, just contact us: james@stanscafe.co.uk.