8 Reasons to Partner with the Arts
As today’s business landscape continues to shift, companies need talent that can respond to an ever-changing world of work. Participation in creative expression fosters and incubates the essential skills and leadership needed in today’s world. Innovation can be defined as applied creativity and partnering with arts organizations and artists unlocks pathways to that innovation.
Americans for the Arts believes that encouraging creative thinking, and leveraging creative expression through arts and business pARTnerships is essential for building healthy businesses and vibrant communities.
We’re pleased to offer our top reasons why businesses should partner with the arts.
Cultivate Diversity and Empathy
Partnering with the arts allows your employees, company and community to gain better understanding of diverse cultures and ideas and helps build an inclusive workforce.
Businesses need people and strategies that can respond to an ever-changing, complex world of work. Leveraging the arts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives creates a platform for connectivity and cohesiveness. Let us show you how.
- 57% of companies with less than 100 employees believe that the arts support their corporate objective to create conversation about important issues. - Business Contributions to the Arts: 2018 Edition
- 73% of population agree that arts "help them understand other cultures better" - Americans Speak Out About the Arts 2018
- 50% of companies with more than 25,000 employees say that the arts support their corporate adjective to address issues of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. - Business Contributions to the Arts: 2018 Edition
Amplify Skills
The arts reveal and enhance the breadth of talent and creativity among employees and teams by cultivating the creative thinking skills your business needs.
When businesses partner with the arts they get more inspired and engaged employees. We've identified the best reasons why partnering with the arts helps recruit and retain talent. Let us show you how.
- 64% of the working population believe that the arts make them a more creative person, which helps them in the workplace. - Americans Speak Out About the Arts
- 59% of businesses said the arts increased employee creativity and growth - The Arts Boost Employee Engagement: 2015
- 55% of Americans say that their job requires them to be creative—either individually or as part of a team—and come up with ideas that are new or unique. - Americans Speak Out About the Arts
Drive Innovation
The arts foster inspiration, empathy, and leadership — all which establish a platform to innovate in an ever-evolving economy.
When businesses partner with the arts they get more inspired and engaged employees. We’ve identified the best reasons why partnering with the arts helps recruit and retain talent. Let us show you how.
- 63% of companies promote board service at arts organizations believing that such opportunities provide important talent development opportunities. – Business Contributions to the Arts: 2018 Edition
- 60% agree that the more creative and innovative they are at their job, the more successful they are in the workplace. - Americans Speak Out About the Arts 2018
- 63% percent of employers who considered creative ability a primary concern in the hiring process preferred the creative employee over the technically skilled individual. - Ready to Innovate
Show Gratitude
The arts offer meaningful, enjoyable experiences and valuable benefits to your employees and their families.
When businesses partner with the arts they get more inspired and engaged employees. We’ve identified the best reasons why partnering with the arts helps recruit and retain talent. Let us show you how.
- 69% of Americans believe the arts “lift me up beyond everyday experiences. - Americans Speak Out About the Arts 2018
- 75% of large companies ($25b+) provide free/discounted tickets, offer release time for volunteering, and provide grants to arts organizations where employees volunteer. - Business Contributions to the Arts: 2018 Edition
- 92% of companies offer a matching gift program, and 55% of companies match employee gifts to any organization of the employee's choosing. - Giving in Numbers 2018
Set Your Business Apart
Leveraging a partnership with an artist/arts organization will help you communicate your company’s story by engaging customers and clients, conveying your unique values.
When businesses partner with the arts, they gain a competitive edge. We’ve identified the best reasons why partnering with the arts expands market share and creates a healthy workplace. Let us show you how.
- 69% of companies that received national recognition for being a 'best place to work' reported the company fosters creativity. - The Creative Dividend
- 55% of manufacturing companies view the arts as helping to recruit and retain employees. - Business Contributions to the Arts: 2018 Edition
- 45% of companies say that partnering with the arts offers networking opportunities and the potential to build market share. - Business Contributions to the Arts: 2018 Edition
Enliven the Workplace
The arts stimulate positive company culture and conversation, foster employee well-being, and inspire a healthier work environment through unique and meaningful experiences for human connection.
When businesses partner with the arts, they gain a competitive edge. We’ve identified the best reasons why partnering with the arts expands market share and creates a healthy workplace. Let us show you how.
- 76% of companies that invest in creativity have happier employees. - Adobe State of Create 2016
- 53% of companies say the arts stimulate creative thinking and problem solving. - Business Contributions to the Arts: 2018 Edition
- More than 80% of disengaged and hostile employees would prefer the opportunity to have stress-relief breaks. - Workplace Well-Being
Advance Civic and Social Priorities
Partnering with the arts fuels the economy, promotes health, wellness and safety, creates social cohesion and connectivity, and fosters civic engagement.
Businesses need communities where employees want to live and work. We’ve identified the best reasons why partnering with the arts contributes to economic vitality and thriving communities. Let us show you how.
- 68% agree that "The arts have a positive effect on my overall health and well-being" – Americans Speak Out About the Arts 2018
- 63% of companies believe the arts contribute to the economy of the community – Business Contributions to the Arts: 2018 Edition
- Among neighborhoods with the lowest 40% of the income distribution, those with many cultural assets enjoy an 18% reduction in the serious crime rate. - Culture and Social Wellbeing in New York City: Highlights of a Two-Year Research Project - University of Pennsylvania Social Impact of the Arts Project (SIAP)
Enrich Community Life
The arts are essential to the development of a vibrant and diverse community in which the best employees want to live, work, shop, create, and contribute.
Businesses need communities where employees want to live and work. We’ve identified the best reasons why partnering with the arts contributes to economic vitality and thriving spaces. Let us show you how.
- 71% of the population agree "the arts have a social impact, improving the quality and livability of my community." – Americans Speak Out About the Arts 2018
- 79% of companies believe arts help to improve quality of life in the community. – Business Contributions to the Arts: 2018 Edition
- 66% of business establishments consider the arts and entertainment as either somewhat or very important for making communities attractive places to work. - Arts Data Profile: Rural Arts, Design, and Innovation Research Brief #4: Local Arts and Entertainment as a Draw for Businesses and Their Workers