Expressive Arts in a Business Setting
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When you imagine expressive arts, what environment comes to mind? I immediately think of the studio, therapeutic settings and bedside in a health care facility. However, we can think even bigger when it comes to expressive arts. Some of my colleagues have used expressive arts in peace building and mediation. I have been fortunate to explore its use in corporate and business settings. One of the things I love about this work is that it can be used just about anywhere.
Imagine a ballroom full of tables, people seated in crescent rounds facing a projector and screen. They are in business attire, taking notes on tiny hotel notepads with tiny hotel pens. They sit listening to speaker after speaker and the occasional video. How do you feel when conjuring that image? Now, I love myself some work conferences. I think they can be great ways to inspire and share about new visions and collaborate with others. I also know that the environment described above can begin to numb me out after awhile. Now imagine the same room with everyone on their feet, small groups working together, balancing on different feet, jumping up and down, laughing and pondering whether it would be okay to completely drape themselves over the table and chairs or use the paper in their folders to make “keys on a piano”. How does that image make you feel? A bit different, no?
I plan and facilitate many educational events and have found that weaving in the expressive arts creates a more vibrant, fun and engaging learning environment. I usually work with groups of 20 - 100 and aim to add in at least 1 -2 expressive arts opportunities per session. In my latest business arts adventure I provided a variety of famous paintings and invited groups of 10 to recreate them using their bodies in a frozen “picture”. This concept worked well with the group as they were already exploring “capturing the full picture” in their jobs. It was a great match and inspired them to think about the metaphor in a new way. As in any creative process, there was a bit of chaos, a bit of nervousness in exploring the unknown and pops of creativity that felt like a breath of fresh air and momentum. The group of 90 went beyond my expectations and really went for it. I was delighted and began to realize my reputation for “always bringing something surprising” had begun to prime the audience to try something outside their comfort zones. If only I had permission to show you their creations! I guarantee you, you would be delighted. The room went from an after lunch, sleepy vibe to a playful room of smiles, laughs and collaboration. Their bodies went from moving on a sagittal plane to movement expressions in every direction and every level imaginable. Their blood flow increased, their sleepiness subsided and they were emotionally engaged - all qualities that make for a juicy learning environment.
Dance by Keith Haring - Painting used in Capture the Picture
When planning to bring expressive arts into a business setting, I always ground myself in the following three things.
Know Who You are Partnering With - Be sure to know how many people will be there, what space will you be in, what time of day you will be working and most importantly, where they will be coming from. Meaning, what environment will they be in emotionally, mentally and physically? Are there any themes they are already working with? If someone has asked you to facilitate, what do they hope will come from the experience? What does the group need? In the example above, the group needed to explore the theme of “Capturing the Full Picture” in an embodied way to inspire fresh ways of looking at that concept. Some groups may need a sense of cohesion or bridge-building. Do your research.
Have Fun & Let Go of Expectations - As you embark on the creative planning process, follow the thread of what attracts you. What is fun for you? Remember, if you are engaged in the material and activity, your enthusiasm will be contagious. In my example, I really enjoyed several parts of the process; finding paintings to use, trying the activity out myself and ultimately knowing I was going to love seeing everyone create their frozen pictures. The anticipation was even fun. That being said, when working in large groups for a limited time, make sure to check your expectations. Nothing will go quite as planned, some things seemingly fall flat and chaos will ensue. Trust the process! You never know how the experience is working on someone. If you have time, gather a few takeaways, or ask them over a break. Feedback is important and it may take time for things to digest. No matter what happens, make sure to circle back around with your original intentions and make note of what went well, and what you may change next time.
Break Down the Instructions & Allow Space for Play - Remember when working in most business settings, the left side of the brain is active. For some, introducing a creative activity is literally a shift in their brain chemistry. Give people time to adjust. When giving instructions, be sure to be clear, succinct and repeat it at least twice. Check for understanding. Once everyone is clear, it’s time to back up and give them space for their creative process. I believe that everyone can benefit from a sense of play. Our job is to give people permission to do so. Whenever possible, dedicate as much time as you can to the creative process with your group. This will allow them to really dive in and step out of their typical way of being in their work environment.
Waiting for the Bus by Rafael Carlos Armas - Painting Used in Capture the Picture
In returning to the original image of a traditional work meeting in the hotel ballroom, the group I worked with felt so completely different after spending 20 minutes bringing various paintings “to life” with their bodies. It also drove home the idea of capturing the full picture in a new way. In looking at the painting above, one group wanted to make sure to include the sign, the paper stand one figure is leaning on, and the door. Another group with the same painting missed those items altogether. When we came back together as a group, we were able to distinguish which embodied picture more fully captured what was shown in the painting. When back in the office, what difference will it make in the quality of your work if you leave out the sign and door? It prompted a great discussion!
I love weaving expressive arts into my event planning and often give myself the challenge of making sure to include the arts in each of my educational offerings. It not only creates a more spacious learning environment, it also makes it fun for me and the participants. The arts can be supportive in a multiplicity of environments and I am thrilled to be able to use it in a place that can initially seem void of creative expression. After all, bringing a bit of “surprise” keeps people on their toes and weaving in the arts allows for a more holistic learning environment.