Art is a critical component — on par with light, air, ergonomics, and quiet spaces — in the ongoing conversation about methods for making employees feel better about their environment and more productive at work.
Jeffrey Sklaver, Principle at ArtMatters
4 Benefits of Art in the Workplace
It livens up glass-enclosed offices
- In the case of large, open, collaborative areas, art is being used to break up and define a space.
- Art is also being used as a focal point for lunch and lounge areas and other third spaces where people congregate for ad hoc collaboration and flexible working.
- Additionally, with the decrease in the number of individual offices has come the growth in the number of meeting rooms, huddle areas, and quiet rooms where people needing privacy can get away. These rooms also require art.
- The type and style of art being selected and how it is being displayed is also evolving. Traditional landscapes are giving way to contemporary abstracts to better complement contemporary workplace design. There is also a growing use of photography — especially black and white photography and photographic abstracts — because of their contemporary feel.
It makes a statement about company culture
- An office’s design only goes so far in identifying how a company wants to be perceived by its employees and clients; art increases the visual cues.
- It’s also an effective branding tool: the right art can support a company’s corporate identity, history, values, and mission, and create a sense of place and purpose.
It contributes to a healthier work environment
- While furnishing and lighting are effective ways for meeting the physical needs of the employees, art meets their emotional needs.
It’s a creative way to help with wayfinding
- Art is a great wayfinding tool, where colors and images can be used to visually reference an area or location.
Sklaver, Jeffrey, “The Value of Art in the Workplace”, Work Design Magazine, March 6, 2015.