Why should you lease artworks in a company?

In today’s corporate landscape, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to create a dynamic and stimulating work environment for their employees and clients. Beyond being merely functional spaces, organizations are recognizing the profound impact that aesthetic workspaces can have on productivity, well-being, and overall brand image. Whether you’re a small startup or a large corporation, Artsper has all the reasons why you should lease artworks for your company.

1. For variety and flexibility

Leasing artworks for your space offers the unparalleled advantage of having a constantly changing work environment. Unlike traditional art purchases, leasing allows you to rotate artworks regularly, ensuring a fresh and engaging atmosphere for employees and customers. By periodically changing the artworks on display, you can maintain an exciting visual experience. This creates a sense of anticipation and discovery, as employees and visitors look forward to encountering new pieces and experiencing different artistic expressions. At Artsper, we have works from over 25,000 artists to choose from, ranging from abstract painters to figurative sculptors and all things in between.

Rotating artworks also enables you to align your chosen pieces with specific events, seasons, or campaigns. For summer, we recommend beach-inspired works. When winter approaches, adding a pop of color, can help lift the mood. Maintaining an engaging workplace ensures that your employees and any visitors are consistently inspired. And, if you’re a fan of contemporary art, leasing’s flexibility means you can switch out artworks to stay on top of market trends. Some genres, like Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism, will forever be classics. But recently, the market has seen growing popularity in contemporary street art and ecological art.

2. To ensure employee well being

On a practical level, incorporating art into your work environment can be extremely beneficial for employees. It can boost their morale, job satisfaction, and productivity. Numerous studies have shown that art can have a positive impact on one’s physical and mental health, including in reducing stress levels (source: Artlita). Engaging with art has been found to promote relaxation, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being. As a result, art can help create a calming, aesthetically pleasing ambience, producing a positive atmosphere at work which is particularly beneficial in high-pressure environments. Germany’s largest bank, Deutsche Bank, recognized the power of art and the value it can bring to a workplace. This inspired the company to build the largest corporate art collection in the world, incorporating 60 000 works!

Art can also serve as a catalyst for creativity amongst your employees. The presence of artworks within the workplace are a visual trigger, stimulating imagination and encouraging innovative thinking. Art can inspire fresh perspectives, unlock new ideas and promote a more open mindset among team members. A creative atmosphere can have a direct impact on problem solving, collaboration and generating novel solutions within an organization. This is why research has found that having art in your work environment can make employees up to 15% more productive, according to a study in The Guardian. And, if you want to foster a sense of pride and community, ask your employees for their artwork suggestions. With leasing, you can accommodate everyone!

3. It’s cost-effective

Leasing artworks, instead of purchasing them, gives you the same benefits of displaying artworks without the high upfront cost of an art purchase. As the art market continues to grow, prices are becoming increasingly inflated to reflect demand. Caroline Walker, a relatively new artist in the market, sold her painting Threshold for $1.1 million at auction in March 2023. As ultra-contemporary artists (those born after 1975) experience significant market interest, it is becoming more and more expensive to acquire artworks, even from fresh talents. When you lease artworks, you pay periodic lease payments, making it more affordable for businesses to acquire artworks from popular emerging artists. Lease payments are spread out over a specific duration, ranging from months to years, eliminating financial constraints for your business.

4. There are (potential) tax-advantages

Location dependent, leasing artworks can bring tax-benefits to your business. In many countries, lease payments are considered as deductible operating expenses, thus reducing the overall tax liability for your company. France, for instance, offers government tax incentives specifically for expenses such as leasing artworks. In addition, businesses can acquire works at a reduced rate after a 5-year lease period. And the purchase transaction also qualifies for a tax deduction! Given the tax advantages of leasing, incorporating artwork into your business can be a financially advantageous decision. However, it’s important to note that tax regulations can vary in different jurisdictions. To understand the specific tax advantages that leasing can provide in your area, we recommend consulting with a tax professional. They can offer valuable guidance tailored to your business and ensure that you maximize the potential tax benefits of leasing artworks.

We’re here to help!

Overall, leasing artwork in a company is a strategic choice which can have major advantages for your business. And with our Artsper for Pros service, it couldn’t be easier. From personalized art selections to simplified logistics and continuous support, we provide a seamless experience tailored to your specific needs. That’s why we have collaborated with over 4,000 companies in their design projects over the last 10 years. Whether your business environment is an office, a restaurant or a doctor’s clinic, we have artworks to elevate every workplace. Why not take a look?