Thirteenth International Conference on The Arts in Society

Abstract

Aesthetic surroundings are linked to creativity, productivity, and well-being. The common response to this link in places where we think and do our work typically involves renovating to promote more aesthetic surroundings. Structural and financial implications of such alterations are not always feasible. In many cases people have little agency over adjusting the aesthetics of the places where they think and do their work. However, people do have agency over adjusting how they think about the aesthetics of their workplace. The studies reported here asked: Does cultivating an aesthetic sensibility among people in their workplace enhance how they think and do their work? Cultivating an aesthetic sensibility means becoming attuned to the aesthetic aspects that are present: perhaps the play of light in a stairwell, or the colours in a stack of files. People in several places of work and study participated in studio + exhibit projects wherein contemplative photography was explored as one way to pay attention to the everyday aesthetics in a place of work or study. Implications for everyday places and communities wherein people think and do their work will be discussed.