When it comes to curated art, we love to dive deep: from the hows and the whys, there are countless reasons why a thoughtful curation can lift up and enliven a business. But sometimes, it’s important to go back to the basics and remember that curated art is so much more than just a pretty wall or statement piece. And though we value great art for its powerful ability to brand and connect emotionally with patrons, its influence runs even deeper than that.
Do you want to encourage customers and guests to feel at home and linger or browse? Check. Do you hope to infuse uniqueness and creativity into your space? Check. You can even benefit your loyal employees by fostering an inviting atmosphere and cultivating a sense of belonging, which positively affects mental health and motivation—all by taking the time to consider an uplifting curated art collection.
Regardless of whether you commission custom work for your business, link up with expert curators like ATP.art, or entrust artists in your local community with the job, the benefits of investing in curated art are ultimately good for your business’s bottom line. Let’s break down, in the simplest terms, why.
Curated art can drive customer traffic and aid retention
It’s been around for decades, but it seems that many of us are still acclimating to the seismic changes that have been initiated by the internet. Even generations-old, family-run stores eventually realized that they needed to go online, regardless of whether it was to promote, sell, or simply let customers know where they are.
And while it’s been understandably frightening for many retailers, more recent trends suggest that, despite the convenience of online shopping, old-fashioned brick and mortar locations are making a comeback—which is exciting news, and a thrilling opportunity.
With a whopping 90% of consumers preferring in-person shopping to the online experience, businesses across all industries need to consider how to optimize their space for the ultimate customer experience—and that’s where curated art comes in. Regardless of whether you’re a hospitality expert aiming to create a chic, high-end oasis in the middle of a bustling city or a quaint country boutique that specializes in local produce and wares, curated art offers you an opportunity to create the interactive environment of your dreams.
It may sound far fetched, but curated art actively creates a bespoke experience that can attract loyal customers and keep them coming back. The idea of “retail therapy” was initially coined by a journalist in the 1980s, but perhaps there was some logic there (folks in advertising and marketing certainly thought so). With so many options on the market, why wouldn’t consumers gravitate towards an environment that helps them feel a sense of escapism and belonging? Give people a reason to return with an absorbing curation that immerses them in an entire experience.
Curated art can turn your business into a major player.
Curated art sparks innovation and creativity
Who dreams of spending their days in a lackluster space with bad lighting and blank walls? Unless your company is an actual laboratory, chances are you have an excellent opportunity to invest in your employees through curated art.
Curated art can actually invigorate the brain and motivate us, which increases productivity and can lead to a greater sense of purpose. It can also act as a focal point in the office that sparks conversations, encourages openness, and builds a sense of community, which is great news for any business leader. Not only is community building the right thing to do: it’s a smart strategy.
When workers feel a sense of trust and know that their thoughts and opinions are valued, they become more likely to contribute. And when our contributions are valued and taken seriously, we’re more likely to think outside the box. Look to curated art as a part of your corporate strategy: this study suggests that it increases employee creativity and growth by 59%.
Just remember to consider your own intentions. What are you aiming to achieve with curated art? You might aim to inspire a sense of energy and movement, in which case you could look towards bold brushstrokes and bright colors. Or, you might want to spark a sense of curiosity and deeper thinking, which might pull you towards exciting abstracts that stir the imagination. Whatever your individual needs, we’re confident that curated art can be the secret sauce that builds a team and inspires excellence.
Curated art correlates with wellness
Our brains are complex and agile little machines, which means that all variety of exposure to the arts influences brain interconnectivity and triggers hundreds of billions of neurons. In turn, the ways in which we process and perceive information can be deeply influenced, and our emotions manipulated.
Since our brains are so intertwined with reward systems, motor activities, perception, and the senses, curated art has a unique ability to stimulate us on a subconscious level. In fact, these changes can even be measured physiologically: blood flow goes up when we look at a beautiful painting, just as it goes up when we gaze upon somebody we love. Art actually feels good.
Curated art also releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin while actively reducing cortisol levels—a fact that suggests that art itself is a drug. Think back to the last time you really let yourself get loose and creative. Perhaps you went out dancing or took a painting class. How did it make you feel? You likely felt a sense of peace and calm: art, and our relationship to it, is hard-wired.
Curated art benefits everyone
Can investing in curated art lead to greater changes? Studies show that when companies invest in corporate arts strategies, it benefits their business and the surrounding community.
The emergence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices is changing business attitudes and priorities in profound ways, and one of the biggest shifts we see is in our attitudes towards the arts. Curated art has been shown to boost efficiency in a socially responsible way, address issues surrounding culture and diversity, and play a critical role in invigorating communities, shaping regions, and defining an area’s identity.
Historically, communities with a robust arts scene feature lower crime rates and foster a better quality of life, which translates to desirability and economic stability. From the smallest curated art collections to multimillion-dollar public installations, corporate art plays a critical role in an area’s growth and development.
Curated art in action
At ATP.art, we can speak with confidence about the importance of curated art because we see its impact day after day. Tony Whlgn’s “All I See is You & I”, created for Neiman Marcus’s Troy location, is an edgy interpretation of a modern love story for the company’s “Leading With Love” campaign:
“Leading with love allows me to show up in this world as my full self, which means I do what I love & love what I do. Being from Detroit, the Motor City, that’s a major component in keeping my drive to innovate as a person & artist. This piece is an example of how letting that love lead will always result in progressive connection – to yourself, your community, or even a new love. The story to be told with this mural is of two people falling in love from their initial introduction to making a true, effortless connection; This all happening here, from the parking lot to the inside of Neiman Marcus.”
Tony Whlgn’s arresting mural celebrates love and togetherness.
But we didn’t stop there. In Saint Louis, artist Quinn Briceño created a massive 27 x 9-foot mural depicting his love for the local community. Featuring beloved landmarks like the Ferris Wheel at Union Station and the iconic Gateway Arch, the piece represents the city’s collective dynamism. “Saint Louisans have a lot of love for our community, despite its flaws,” the artist explains, and this piece for Neiman Marcus celebrates the beauty of people coming together against all odds.
Artist Quinn Briceño created a massive 27 x 9-foot mural depicting his love for the local community.
Looking good and doing good: that’s the power of curated art. Whether you’re hoping to inspire employees, create an eye-catching brand, or benefit the local community, the impact of art knows no bounds. So why not invest in something beautiful and see what happens? Art is intrinsically linked to the past, but it’s also a cornerstone of the future. How will your business be poised?