The Brain-Boosting Benefits of Art in the Workplace

In an increasingly digital and fast-paced world, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to boost employee productivity and well-being. Surprisingly, one of the most powerful tools may be found hanging on the walls around you—art. Scientific studies have shown that art-rich environments not only enhance employee creativity but also improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and foster a positive workplace culture. Below are a few of the brain-boosting benefits of incorporating art into the workplace and how it impacts employees at a neurobiological level.

1. Improve Cognitive Function

Art has the unique ability to stimulate neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s capacity to form new neural connections. This is a critical factor for improving learning and memory. Scientific studies [1] show that viewing paintings engages not only the brain’s visual systems but also its emotional and cognitive centers. By accessing interconnected neural pathways, art creates a space where employees can think more dynamically and solve problems in innovative ways.

2. Reduce Stress

Workplace stress can have significant impacts on both productivity and mental health. Interestingly, specific colors like blue and green—commonly found in art depicting natural landscapes—can lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels [2]. Even simulated forms of nature, such as landscape paintings or broad photographic views of the horizon, can activate a relaxation response in the brain stem [3], significantly reducing cortisol levels and alleviating the body’s stress response.

3. Promote Emotional Well-Being

Emotional well-being is sometimes an overlooked driver of workplace productivity. Incorporating natural elements into office art—whether through real greenery or artwork depicting natural scenes—can help lower anxiety and mental distress. Even twenty minutes spent gazing at artwork that mimics natural settings can have similar benefits to spending time in actual nature, reducing anxiety and improving mood [3]. By bringing nature indoors through art, businesses can create a calming and more focused environment.

4. Reinforce Satisfaction and Happiness

Ever wonder why you feel an emotional lift when looking at a beautiful piece of art? Curiosity-driven engagement with art triggers the release of dopamine, the "feel-good" hormone. This dopamine release contributes to an overall sense of satisfaction and happiness. Engaging with art provides employees with opportunities for those "aha!" moments of inspiration, where they feel like they’ve seen the world from a fresh perspective [4]. These moments are not only invigorating but also promote a more positive, fulfilled mindset at work.

5. Foster a Positive Work Culture

Workplaces that incorporate art into their environment tend to experience improved social support and emotional expression among employees. Research shows that viewing art activates brain regions associated with empathy and emotional processing [5]. This helps foster an atmosphere where employees feel more connected to one another and better equipped to communicate and collaborate. Through this, art can be a bridge to a more cohesive and positive work culture, where emotional well-being is prioritized.

How Art Engages the Brain

What researchers have learned over the decades is that the arts—due to their multisensory nature—engage multiple systems in the brain, allowing them to access interconnected neural pathways [6]. Viewing and interacting with art doesn’t just stimulate one part of the brain, but instead activates the various areas involved in visual processing, emotional regulation, and cognitive function all at once. This interconnected engagement is why art is such a potent tool for boosting brain power in the workplace.

The Power of Color in Art

Research has even shown that colors within artwork can influence brain wave activity and mood. Recent studies using magnetoencephalography (MEG) devices suggest that different colors activate specific areas in the brain and trigger unique responses [7]. For example, blue tones are often associated with calmness and focus, while reds may inspire energy and action. By carefully curating the colors present in workplace art, businesses can influence the mood and mental states of their teams.

The Key to a Healthier, Happier, and More Productive Workplace

Incorporating art into the workplace is more than just an aesthetic choice—it is an investment in employee well-being and productivity. From improving cognitive function and reducing stress to fostering emotional well-being and happiness, the benefits of an art-rich environment are profound. As businesses continue to explore innovative ways to create more engaging and productive workplaces, it’s clear that art offers an untapped opportunity to boost both the brain and the bottom line.

About the Author: Sairalyn Ansano is a retired art therapist and peer-reviewed author, an artist on Loupe, and Loupe's COO.