Engaging Employees in the Arts – Part 2

What makes for a productive and happy workplace? Inspiration, safety, and a sense that your co-workers and supervisors are paying attention to you?  Feeling appreciated, challenged, supported, and recognized? We all know that being happy at work leads to higher productivity, better creativity and problem solving, less sick time, and more success.

The arts contribute to a happy workplace. In our last article we talked about ways to get arts into the workplace. This time let’s look at how to organize an art show that features employees.

The Standard is a great example of how to organize an art show. Jodi Ballard, Project Manager in the HR department at The Standard has brought together colleagues and company leaders for two years to produce an annual art show, that features employees from all areas of the company who have not-so-hidden talents in painting, drawing, photography, fabric arts, crafts, sculpture, and more. Each year the company gets an internal sponsor, high up in the C-suite, and organizes a very clear process for employees to submit artwork and provide information that explains or animates the work. A committee selects and hangs the artwork and organizes a reception so that members of the company and outside friends and colleagues can come view the creative talents of The Standard’s staff.  Not only do the artists feel appreciated, but the visitors learn more about their colleagues and the art and creativity within their midst. Great times are had by all, and in some cases, a few pieces of art are sold at the event. The Standard also follows up and creates a short term rotation of selected items that are shown in various offices and parts of the facilities, taking the show on the road so to speak. Jodi says that the resulting camaraderie and pride are a boon to productivity, team spirit, and workplace satisfaction.

You too can host an art show in your business.

BCA will host a Brown Bag Lunch with Jodi Ballard and her team on October 17 at 12:00pm. Come learn more about the in’s and out’s of mounting this endeavor!

Yours,

Deborah