Art, the key to business success in 2008?

By Alistair Houghton on Mar 27, 08 01:00 AM

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LIVERPOOL businesses are increasingly using art as a tool for improving performance in Capital of Culture year.

Rensburg Sheppards, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Liverpool-based Riverside Housing Group are among the organisations that have incorporated art into their corporate strategies.

Firms use art to have a positive impact on staff and visitors, and improve their perception of an organisation.

Rensburg Sheppards sponsor work by the Regional Print Centre and the investment management firm's regional director, Nigel Lanceley, believes supporting the region's artists is beneficial.

He said: "We have got a nice office and it's a nice environment to display art. It's mostly in the client areas and we use it to make a statement about the company." Castle Street gallery Dot-Art has been supplying firms since it opened in the city's business district last October.

Director Lucy Byrne said: "Art not only makes an office space brighter and more attractive for staff, but can be as an- other aspect of a company's image.

"Much of our corporate business started off with individuals coming to buy privately and then wanting works for their offices.

"Now, we see companies including art in their broader marketing plans."

The installations handled by Dot-Art have ranged from individual items to collections of up to 100 different pieces. The 85 artists used are all from Mersey- side and include former model-turned-photographer Stephanie de Leng, official artist of the England cricket team Keith Fearon, and Peter Carr. Dot-Art also enables companies to rent artwork, which allows them to change the look of their offices regularly.