Art Set by GAEP, the initiative launched by the GAEP Gallery in 2021, supports companies to integrate art into workspaces as a solution for attracting and retaining employees, especially in the context where more and more organizations recognize the importance of an inspirational and creative work environment, as an essential part of their HR strategy. The service is used nowadays by companies that accumulate businesses of 400 million euros.
„Presently, candidates want more from a job than just income. The culture and identity of the organization reflected in the work environment are very important for them. Through Art Set, companies can create an attractive and inspiring workspace that fosters creativity and collaboration. In this way, they can convey those values increasingly sought by today’s employees – openness, collaboration, communication and flexibility”, said Andrei Breahnă, founder of Art Set by GAEP.
According to a recent study, carried out at international level, 69% of employees state that the presence of art in the workplace contributes to well-being significantly, and 77% believe that cultural or social events organized in the office are beneficial to the organizational culture and cohesion among colleagues. In addition, 94% of respondents say that art contributes positively to a more welcoming and pleasant work environment, trait of an open and collaborative organizational culture.
Art – a new lever for retaining talent and increasing productivity
In the context of nowadays challenges, where remote work and competition with work hub spaces increase, companies look for innovative solutions to attract and retain talent in companies. Art in the office has proven to be a subtle and effective strategy and means to improve employee productivity and loyalty.
For Generation Z and Millennials, who make up a significant part of today’s workforce, flexibility and an open and creative work environment are key factors when choosing a job. According to a recent study, 26% of Gen Z candidates fear they won’t find a job they’re excited about, which has led many companies to adapt their employee packages.
Employers who provide flexible work schedules and create an environment where work is meaningful are more likely to attract talent from this generation. Additionally, 62% of Gen Z pay particular attention to health and wellness.
Moreover, studies show that 75% of employees who work in offices where art is an integral part of the workspace prefer this environment to work from home, compared to only 53% of those who work in spaces with a neutral/simple design.
In addition to HR strategies, Art Set by GAEP plays an important part in supporting the cultural change of companies and strengthening their reputation. It is not just about the immediate adjustment of workspaces, but about a broader vision, through which companies can create an environment that reflects their values, thus contributing to a fundamental change of the organizational culture.
Objective: Tripling the number of customers by 2026
Companies that have accessed this service come from various industries, from transportation and logistics to real estate and financial services. Current clients include, amongst others, Macromex, Kuehne+Nagel, COS, and Promelek XXI, all generating a total turnover of almost 400 million €. Art Set by GAEP aims to expand its portfolio and triple its number of clients by 2026.
„We focus on organic growth and on expanding the services provided, in order to reach a portfolio of around 100 companies, in the next three years, as we notice a growing interest of local businesses to grasp this type of projects”, said Breahnă. According to his statement, the contracts have various thresholds, depending on the number of works installed in the exhibition and the number of activities conducated for a company, their value being between 500 and 3,000 € per month.
GAEP sees art as a catalyst for change and development in the work environment, strategically integrating it through temporary or permanent exhibitions and interactive events. Thus, art is not just an esthetic channel, but a tool that enables companies to achieve the objectives of employee retention and engagement. While the market is much more mature at international level, with plenty providers of services for renting or leasing works of art, at the local level, the GAEP initiative remains unique through its integrated approach, which transforms art into an engine of organizational change.
Author: Ioana Andrei
Photo: GAEP
