Art does not just belong in museums. It belongs in restaurants, consulting and accounting firms, construction companies and other businesses.
Art in the workplace yields many beautiful benefits for employers, from higher productivity and lower stress levels to more creative thinking and more satisfied workers. Productivity gains of 14 to 17 percent were documented by researchers in various studies comparing task completion in workplaces with art and those without it.
A Harvard University researcher found art in the office also fosters social interactions and learning that could be valuable to both employer and workers.
So here’s some smart ways to bring art into your business.
Buy direct from artists, either in studio sales or at art fairs. Head to Eastern Market on Sundays or an artist-owed gallery. Show up at one of Mint’s art events or the Palmer Park Art Fair. Mint plans to have another art sale in the spring. When you buy direct, almost all the purchase price goes directly to the artist.
Head to charity art auctions and sales. These fundraising events are held by such groups as Delta Sigma Theta sorority, National Conference of Artists – Michigan, Mint Artists Guild and others. Many charity fundraising events often have silent auctions with art available. Often these charitable art sales yield a bargain price.
Mint’s silent auction features youth & professional art.
Create an exhibit. Choose an employee or team to bring in artists, including perhaps some of your own employees or clients. This role of curator will engage and create more employee satisfaction. Then pay the artists a stipend for loaning art for six months..Then, encourage your guests and team to buy art from your walls. Please contact Mint if you want youth art in your business.
Create an art fund. This could be proceeds from an annual sale. Or it could be an employee-directed fund that buys art instead of bowling. Perhaps 5 percent of wine and beer sales at your restaurant could go toward art purchases. Or perhaps proceeds from one decadent dessert or an artsy product or another item could be earmarked for art buys for the office.
Trade for art. If your company makes something an artist needs or wants, offer to trade for a piece of art. Artists need legal and plumbing services, coffee, groceries and car repairs, and if they do not, perhaps their sister or best friend does. So consider bartering for art, with a little cash thrown in. Afterwards, the artist deserves to be recognized in your social media or e-letter.
However you choose to do this in a company small or large, take time to celebrate the artists and their work and their impact on your workplace. Your team will thank you.
© Vickie Elmer, 2026;
Photo by Willem Chen / Unsplash; silent auction photo by Charlene Uresy for Mint Artists Guild
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