Did you know that employees are significantly happier and more productive in environments with art on display? It’s true; art has the power to help maintain a healthy mindset. A study found 90% of staff members agreed visual and performing arts created “a very pleasant working environment” (Staricoff, Duncan, & Wright, 2004). An attractive environment adorned with artwork can increase employee morale. Staff members who enjoy their working environment are less likely to seek alternate employment opportunities and more likely to refer potential candidates to their workplace. Considering these factors may help healthcare providers and senior living communities attract and retain employees.

Studies have shown images depicting pleasant nature landscapes have calming effects on viewers and can even lower their blood pressure. In office environments, artwork can increase efficiency by up to 20%, and working in a room with art improves mood, decreases errors, and improves overall focus among staff members. Viewing artwork can also promote improved concentration and motivation among employees. Mistakes in healthcare can be potentially serious and even life-threatening, so the evidence for art decreasing the likelihood of errors is promising for its efficacy in healthcare and caregiving environments.

The presence of art has been linked to increased empathy among caregivers. Dialogues on art dealing with illness showed improved awareness of interpersonal relations and empathy among student nurses (Wikström, 2003). Viewing art improves the diagnostic strategies of healthcare workers by enhancing their creative thinking and empathic abilities. Since artwork can improve mood and awareness, caregivers exposed to art can cultivate better relationships with their patients, improving patients’ and residents’ emotional health and mood, resulting in faster healing times and better quality of life.