Art in the Workplace

Rachid Bekkaj

Elaine Alibrandi

Anna Belen Martin Soriano

In today's work environment, productivity and innovation are essential for success. While many companies invest in advanced technologies and training to optimize these aspects, integrating art into the workplace is a frequently overlooked yet surprisingly productive approach. This observation raises questions for the company, specifically regarding the work environment, which is defined as the set of conditions under which employees perform their professional tasks. This encompasses physical, social, and cultural elements that impact employee well-being and efficiency.

How does art transform the work environment?

What is the relationship between art and productivity?

What explanation can be given for this relationship between workers and art?

Are artistic expressions in the workplace a form of inner respite?

Is art in the workplace different from art elsewhere?

Art is already present in workspaces

From the dawn of human activity in various fields, ranging from agriculture and animal husbandry to sacred sites, the link between humans and art in the workplace has evolved in response to advances in the means of production as well as the social, political and cultural transformations specific to each era.

The old adage "A picture is worth a thousand words" is true. Words allow us to reflect on an idea, an emotion, or a philosophy. A work of art, however, bypasses this thought process and leads us directly, through sight, to feel that idea, emotion, or philosophy. When we contemplate the cave paintings of prehistoric peoples, their way of representing images and their need to visually express what they saw offer us a rare glimpse into their world. Their handprints on the cave walls connect us to these people in a visceral way. We can identify with individuals who lived tens of thousands of years ago. They passed on to us a legacy of great value, whether they were aware of it or not. If I show you an illustration, you will be able to understand it better than if I had only described it.

However, once artists entered the professional world, their relationship with art transformed into a lifestyle, giving rise to specific forms of artistic expression such as music, painting, dancing, and theatre, among others. These types of art are sometimes practiced by amateurs and enjoyed by spectators.

These demonstrations reflect the reality of the working world in its concrete aspects. From this perspective, various questions arise concerning the link between artistic expression and their influence on workers, especially since the history of this relationship possesses a specific cultural heritage that provides a context conducive to further study.

For example, the priest needs musical performances that nourish his spiritual role in his church; the shepherd, surrounded by his sheep, plays melodies on his flute, while women sing with farmers in the fields, demonstrating their deep connection to the land. Male farmers create dolls to scare away birds and animals from the orchard, while near watering holes, young girls sketch the ideal man of their dreams. The variety of artistic styles reflects not only the progression of people's activities but also their professional identity and status. Thus, we can observe symbolic aspects and artistic works that continue to develop in the professional sphere today, influenced by the nature and evolution of work.

Art and Business

A company can be defined as a structured group of individuals whose primary objective is the production of goods and/or the provision of services. This system, generally organized hierarchically, uses intellectual, material, and financial resources to generate added value and meet the economic demands of the market.

Consequently, faced with the complexity of a world characterized by behaviors and attitudes that hinder productivity (aspirations, impulses, motivations, commitment, anxiety), art has profoundly altered how business leaders perceive productivity. This involves a collaborative approach between the employee, who understands the social realities within the organization and considers alternative perspectives, and the manager, who considers various proposals.

Given that art in the workplace is our primary focus, the reality of employees serves as the foundation for our approach. To address art within this framework, it is necessary to consider the realities of those employees.

Why does art spontaneously find its way into the workplace?

Today, after work has taken on its modern meaning, we observe that art is already present in workspaces, in a spontaneous and discreet way:

Factory workers sing while they work. In the office, bosses and employees hang photos on the walls, they share images, phrases, memes, or colors. During meetings, people often doodle.

Scientific studies show that aesthetically pleasing environments generate less pressure and more solutions, which has a real impact on productivity. It has become clear that human productivity is not solely based on techniques, software, or methodologies, but rather on people—that is, on their emotional state, their stress levels, and their inner freedom to think clearly.

Impact of art on the worker

When the nervous system is overwhelmed by the constant demands of analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making, it needs ways to regulate itself. The body seeks balance even when its structure doesn't provide it. For artists, creating with their own hands is synonymous with concentration, clarity, and emotional mastery. Art possesses a unique ability to calm mental turmoil and restore the connection between mind and body. When we combine colors, create a form, knead dough, paint, or simply let our hand glide across the paper, another kind of concentration awakens. It is neither constrained nor logical; it is a concentration akin to an intense inspiration. This is often referred to as active meditation. In a few moments, the conscious mind relaxes, and the subconscious begins to rearrange information, feelings, and tensions. This is where clarity manifests. This is where an individual can, without even realizing it, resolve a situation they have been grappling with for days.

Art in the workplace is not a waste of time

The colors and shapes in a workplace are not merely decorative; they have a direct impact on mood, motivation, and how employees perceive daily challenges. Warm, energizing tones can generate dynamism and enthusiasm, while cool, muted tones promote concentration and calm. A visually stimulating environment sparks creativity, reduces tension, improves motivation, and fosters a more positive and collaborative atmosphere.

Furthermore, art fosters collaboration. Observing or collectively reinterpreting works of art encourages dialogue, the sharing of perspectives, and enhanced cooperation among colleagues, leading to smoother and more creative teamwork. Beyond these immediate effects, art acts as an accelerator of innovation: the discovery of unusual forms, colors, and concepts encourages the mind to explore alternatives and generate original solutions, even in routine tasks. Integrating art into the workplace not only improves emotional well-being but also creativity, collaboration, and the capacity for innovation, making it a strategic and essential resource for any organization.

When a worker disconnects for a moment – by contemplating a work of art – several things happen:

1. Cortisol, the stress hormone, decreases.

2. Dopamine levels increase, which improves motivation and creativity.

3. The perspective on the problem changes, allowing for more flexible and effective solutions.

We don't produce more by doing more, but by thinking more clearly. That's why art in the workplace is a direct investment in human, emotional, and cognitive well-being.

Art in the workplace in the United States

In the United States up until the early 1990s, the walls of most American financial institutions were adorned with inoffensive works of art, discreet enough for employees and customers to unconsciously notice, but banal enough not to be distracting.

Since then, many multinational corporations have become aware of the impact art can have on their wealth and prestige. As a result, buyers and designers working for these institutions are paying increasingly close attention to the works they acquire. For example, Deutsche Bank has one of the world's largest art collections, with over 57,000 pieces sold for millions of dollars. Bank of America, with over 30,000 works, makes its collection accessible to the public through various exhibitions and events. Former Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann stated: "A company without a collection is like a person without a memory."¹

While art within financial institutions can positively influence employee morale and reduce stress, a prestigious art collection can lend a touch of sophistication to a bank's image, while also demonstrating a cultural investment and leaving a lasting impression on clients.3 However, a bank is a business, and businesses exist to make a profit. Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of the investment firm BlackRock, stated: "The two largest stores of wealth internationally today are contemporary art … and apartments in Manhattan, Vancouver, and London."4

Indeed, according to the Deloitte Art & Finance report of April 2024, the value of collectibles worldwide, including works of art, is expected to increase from $2.17 trillion in 2022 to $2.86 trillion in 2026.4

The state of affairs

Is corporate investment in art a commendable initiative aimed at improving the well-being of customers, employees, and the artists themselves? Or is it simply a marketing tool to generate profits and enhance their reputation?

According to the first survey, a large number of artists feel that the professional world is incompatible with their creative personalities. In the United States, within large corporations, artists are frequently considered, or even treated, as strange or enigmatic by their peers, who may have affection for artists among them, but can't fully understand them. In the American professional environment, creativity is not tolerated. Following instructions, not innovation, is required. In the United States, the term "corporate clone" refers to the typical attitude of the office worker who never questions anything. We are all expected to be alike.

In reality, integrating art into the workplace affects not only personal well-being but also interactions among employees. The presence of artworks, colors, or installations can create a symbolic meeting place that encourages dialogue, the exchange of perspectives, and collective reflection.

When teams observe or reinterpret a work of art together, opportunities arise to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and share experiences. This practice strengthens bonds, fosters empathy, and improves communication, creating an environment where collaboration becomes more natural and productive. Artistic stimulation encourages openness to new ideas and collective creativity, transforming art from a mere decorative element into a subtle driver of interaction, cohesion, and collective problem-solving.

Conclusion

Integrating art into the workplace is therefore not an aesthetic luxury, but rather the recognition that creativity flourishes when the mind rests and can reorganize itself. Productivity then depends not only on doing more, but also on thinking more effectively, allowing the brain to connect more freely and clearly with internal processes of innovation and problem-solving.

Dedicated spaces for art must exist within companies and production environments. Creativity liberates, structures, and rekindles energy. This is not about entertainment, but about mental health, emotional well-being, and genuine effectiveness. In short, when employees are faced with the pressures and difficulties of the moment, everything stops, the nervous system is disrupted, progress is hindered and a general paralysis sets in, both for the individual and for the project. However, when we find a space to disconnect from the conscious mind and connect with the unconscious, a process of inner restructuring begins, relieving stress, regulating emotions, restoring mental clarity, and revitalizing problem-solving abilities.

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