Research Proves Art in Your Office improves Happiness & Productivity.

From Microsoft to UBS, the impact of art in the workplace is recognised, not simply as a ‘nice to have’, but an essential component in creating an enriched environment for employees and customers alike.

Research from Exeter University’s School of Psychology found that employees who have control over the design and layout of their workspace are not only happier and healthier- they’re also up to 32% more productive. 

As businesses begin to re-open their doors and companies welcome their people back to the office,we mustn’t underestimate the need to support their mental health and well-being. Not only do you have a duty of care to your employees, but it can significantly impact your bottom line.

For some, returning to the office may feel grossly overdue, yet it may give rise to unease and anxiety for others. While business owners are thrilled, many people may continue to face increasing challenges that affect their mental health albeit, money, job security, stress, anxiety, illness and grief and while they feel safer at home, the pressure to return to the office is looming.

As an employer, what can you do to support a positive return to the workplace?

A survey by the Business Committee for the Arts and the International Association for Professional Art Advisors found that art in the workplace helps businesses address key challenges such as

• Reducing stress (78% agree)
• Increasing creativity (64% agreed)
• Encouraging the expression of opinions (77% agreed)

Now, we get it; not every business can just pop out and buy a Van Gogh with the next order of copier ink, but for many companies, renting has proved a successful solution to enhancing the workplace environment while maintaining a budget.

Renting Office Art Work

Renting the right artwork for your workspace is a brilliant, low-cost solution to creating calming, relaxing and inviting areas in the office. Whether it’s the reception area, boardroom or training rooms, selecting the right pieces of office art can transform a seemingly sterile environment into one that supports productivity, performance and creativity.

Proven Benefits of Office Artwork Include

1. Increased productivity
2. Reduces stress and depression
3. Reinforces company values increasing trust and loyalty for both employees and customers.
4. Creates opportunities for cross dept collaboration and team bonding.
5. Supports corporate and social responsibilityinitiatives
6. The environmental impact is reduced by renting art instead of buying
7. The reduction in absenteeism and presenteeism mitigate the costs.
8. Renting artwork is cashflow friendly: no up-front costs, 100% tax-deductible and quarterly payments.

Weighing up the costs of renting office art

The cost of renting artwork for your office is considerably less than the overwhelming costs of poor mental health.

In 2020, the Stevenson/Farmer Review of mental health and employers discovered that the cost of absences due to stress and anxiety was over £45 billion to the UK economy.

This staggering figure reflects the pressures and overwhelms that individuals feel while the accumulation of the disease has gone untreated and underestimated for many years.

As an employer, remedying the problem in the employee lifecycle is a significant and costly task. However, the return on investment by introducing the right artwork into your work environment can be substantial.

A UK study of adult mental health taken during the pandemic found that ‘more than a fifth of a 70,000-person sample engaged more with the arts during the lockdown.’

So what better way to welcome your people back to the office than with beautiful artwork which supports employees by reflecting the right vibe and tone, not to mention creating stunning spaces.

 

Renting Office Art: A creative way to improve the Employee Experience (EX)

As well as improving mental health and well being, the impact of office artwork can be profound in developing your business culture.

• Selecting art to rent is an opportunity for cross dept collaboration and team bonding
  A committee formed by employees is a great way to build and develop trust across departments and because you’re renting the opportunity to get together more frequently makes a stronger bond. It can inspire those lacking confidence to speak up and leaders to listen and create a deeper mutual understanding of one another’s roles and responsibilities.
  
  
• Giving everyone a voice
  A good art-rental company will have an online staff voting tool that can easily be set up for your employees. Letting everyone vote on their favourite selections and get involved in the process immediately creates a buzz about the office and is more inclusive than just management making all the decisions. Based on a shortlist of your favourite artwork ranges, everyone votes, the scores are processed, and the results are delivered for you to review.
  
  
• Reinforcing company values increases trust and loyalty for both employees and customers
  Artwork that reflects your company values, culture and heritage demonstrate your awareness of the need to connect with your people on a deeper level. Art can evoke calm, joy, humour and innovation and deliver your message more strategically than first imagined.  Renting art is ideal because as your values and culture evolve, so can your art choices.
• Supporting corporate and social responsibility initiatives
  Art has become increasingly well established as a way for companies to initiate their corporate and social responsibilities, and renting is the best way to do this. Renting artwork from a well-established supplier can help you to select and support amazing artists within your community, cultural heritage or connections with your industry. 
• The environmental impact is reduced when renting art for your office
  Living more sustainably and doing business in a more eco-friendly way has become a hugely topical business subject. By renting instead of buying art, you’re taking part in an environmentally sustainable economy that only uses items as and when needed. When you’ve finished renting the artwork, it isn’t disposed of; it’s passed to a new owner, or returned to the artist’s studio, thus minimising waste. Plus, using a local art rental supplier enables you to keep the carbon footprint low!

 

The overall impact of art in the workplace

Whether you’re a tech start-up or a large PLC company, introducing artwork into your workspace will undoubtedly improve the aesthetic. Instant reactions may include topical discussions, talking points, and interesting stories, but there is considerable evidence to support a far more substantial and measurable impact in the long term.

The pandemic has given rise to remote working, and as a result, many companies are considering new offices, converting current spaces and changes in flexible working. As a result of this constant flux, renting art is ideal for enticing people back to the office without wasting thousands on new interior décor, which may change during the transition period.

Over the past year, it has become increasingly important to create spaces that we feel comfortable with while helping to promote productivity. Installing creative and thought-provoking artwork pieces will help you bring together your employees, customers and stakeholders. It will also help local artists continue providing beautiful pieces in this difficult economy.

GingerWhite supports local artists by commissioning their work for renting out to companies like yours. We have a wide variety of artists from a broad spectrum of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, providing something for everyone and every space. Our professional team provides a complete service, from helping select suitable office art for your business type and space, to delivery and installation.

 

At GingerWhite, we are a friendly, approachable company providing beautiful and inspirational artwork from various talented artists for you to enjoy in your workspaces.

If you are interested in renting from us, please contact us on 0207 359 3964 or email us on info@gingerwhite.co.uk