Tricia Binder of Muros explores how workplace art can enhance the employee experience and strengthen company culture.
Real-life, in-person, office work is back. In recent months, more than half of U.S. workers have returned from hybrid and remote situations to traditional, pre-pandemic desk jobs. With this uptick in office traffic comes the opportunity to rethink the workplace and re-engage the workforce. During this office-centric shift, curating a positive work environment is critical.
Workplace art, when incorporated seamlessly, thoughtfully and intentionally, is a powerful tool companies can leverage to enhance the employee experience and strengthen company culture.
Feeling at Home in the Office: The In-House Benefits of a Workplace Art Installation
A strong company culture is the key to employee engagement, productivity and well-being. According to Forbes, companies with strong cultures have seen revenue growth increase four-fold. Additionally, a Gallup poll found employees who work in a positive environment are 68% less likely to be burned out. So, finding ways to strengthen that positive environment and clearly communicate company values is key. Workplace art can instantly convey a company’s vision and the main elements of its culture and personality. It’s a visual representation of the brand as well as an opportunity to showcase the communities and audiences it holds dear.
When employees can see themselves and their shared values reflected in art, it helps evoke a sense of belonging. A well-planned and well-executed installation reminds the team they’re part of an organization that understands them and sees them for who they are. This kind of inclusive artwork doubles down on authenticity and brand values.
On both individual and collective levels, workplace art can boost morale, creativity and productivity, while also reducing stress. After a long run of remote work, art’s role as an ice breaker creates a much-needed path to social connection and collaboration. According to a University of Texas at Dallas Derive Art survey, after a workplace implemented an art installation, 75% of employees experienced new conversations and sources for discussion with their colleagues that hadn’t previously existed.
Outside the Box: What Workplace Art Says About a Company
Companies need to not only stand out, but also effectively communicate what they stand for. For example, a company that adheres to sustainability practices would benefit from artwork incorporating eco-friendly features and materials, created by an artist whose values and portfolio reflect that message. Authenticity matters.
Art’s role in expressing a company’s messaging and mission also extends to people who are welcomed into the office, such as clients and prospective employees. A lasting impression made by a piece of art could forge that vital connection that edges out the competition in terms of recruiting a new team member or landing new business.
Finally, art plays an organic role in placemaking. People will naturally gather in the presence of beautiful and interesting art, fostering a positive environment. By simply enhancing the look and feel of a space, companies can improve the shared experience of everyone who walks through its doors.
Aligning Visions: How To Find the Right Art and Artist
To reap the wide-ranging benefits of workplace art, the work itself needs to be the right fit and feel for the office. Finding art that best aligns with a company’s vision and community takes some research on the team’s end. Before an artist is even involved, it’s important to start with a well-articulated list of must-haves for what the company leadership and workforce want represented in the installation. In an office setting, where many stakeholders are involved, it’s often challenging to home in on a single subject. Instead, inviting an artist to create a stylistic compilation of subjects, showcasing diverse ideas and focal points, can be both impactful and inclusive.
Choosing an artist who aligns with the company’s brand and identity lends authenticity to the project. Consider homegrown artists with ties to the community, who intrinsically understand the local vibe and aspirations. That familiar perspective can go a long way in artistically translating the desired messaging and representing the people who make up the company.
The Upshot
According to a 2022 Gallup survey, only 32% of employees feel engaged at work, down from an underwhelming 36% in 2020. As more employees are returning to the office in 2023, company leadership is under pressure to create a strong culture that nurtures belonging and ultimately boosts productivity.
One way to foster that positive work environment is through art. Workplace art speaks to people within the workplace and those outside its doors. It can bring people together, communicate values, nurture a sense of belonging and inspire people to strive toward shared visions and goals.
As employees spend more time back in physical offices, implementing creative artwork in the workplace will curate not only a sense of community, but a positive working environment that welcomes deeper engagement and boosted productivity.
