Art isn’t just something for us to look at. It is something that allows people to see things from different viewpoints. Many people find that sculptures and paintings stimulate them. They even find themselves to be more productive. It is for those reasons and more that art and the business world work so well together.
History of Art Collections in Corporations
Corporate art collections date back to 1472, with Siena’s Monte dei Paschi being the first to display paintings inside. While almost every corporate office to every bank lobby displays various pieces of art, it is Silicon Valley that has taken things to a new level.
Big tech companies such as Google and Lyft hire street artists to bring their headquarters to life. If you look at the campuses of these businesses in Silicon Valley, you can’t help but want to work there. These street artists were tasked with creating an environment that people want to work in and one where they want to perform at their very best.
How Art Helps Businesses
A couple of years ago, the Business Committee for the Arts partnered with the International Association for Professional Art Advisors to conduct a survey. They reached out to 32 different businesses throughout the United States and received answers from over 800 employees. What they were able to discover was that having various art pieces improved the working environment.
Employees reported increased productivity and less stress. They also felt that their place of employment encouraged them to express their opinions. Displaying works of art in corporate environments isn’t just about making the workspace come alive. It’s about inspiring those who work there.
Google and other big brands are actually shifting how corporate art is used. Many of these big names are bettering communities with programs that help local artists sell their creations, including those with disabilities or those experiencing homelessness. These younger CEOs are showing the world that art isn’t just something to display. It is a large part of who they are.