By Erika Chang
Last spring, my husband was chosen to be the resident artist for the Scripps Hospital in Encinitas. The hospital was adding a wing and was looking for local artists to help create a healing environment. While working on the project, we learned a lot about the kinds of images conducive to healing. Some of the key aspects of what makes certain kinds of art good for hospitals can also be applied to the workplace. Other qualities of good hospital art didn’t quite make the leap to the workplace, but were just darn interesting!
1.) (Don’t) Go to the Light! – In a hospital setting, where patients are going into and coming out of anesthesia, or are on medication, seeing a “God Light” in a piece of art could be disorienting and upsetting. Life and death hang by a string at these critical times. Hospitals want to save a life, not send it to the other side. Any pieces with streaming sunlight were immediately crossed off the list. I found that to be crazy-interesting (and somewhat amusing!)
2.) Water is King – Studies have shown that art depicting nature will promote healing and reduce stress. Water murals were found to be particularly effective at decreasing the amount of pain medication necessary for the patient, shortening hospital stay times, and increasing healing! It makes sense that connecting to what we are made up of (H2O) would restore balance. Similarly, art in the workplace that features water enables viewers to take a mini-break, allowing their brains to refocus—enhancing creativity and problem-solving.
3.) Branding – This one really surprised me. Art has been found to improve the perception of patient care at the hospital and to serve as an element that patients identify with. Corporate culture similarly craves this brand identity.
4.) Deinstitutionalization – Art makes both the hospital environment and the workplace environment less intimidating. It cuts through the sterile—tapping into one of the most powerful human emotions: inspiration. Inspiration is so powerful it has been proven to facilitate the body’s healing process! The results of working in an inspired environment are increased creativity, productivity, and morale.
I encourage you to experience the transformation of corporate culture by bringing art into your workplace. (Yes, I do have a horse in the race here because I sell art. Great art, I may add.) Regardless, if art works in hospitals, places of crisis, then it will enhance your environment, too, by diffusing stress and pouring into the souls of your staff. When surrounded by thoughtfully curated art, your employees will thank you with their productivity and loyalty.
And your clients will thank you with their continued patronage.
Connect with Erika on LinkedIn at: www.LinkedIn.com/in/erikachang