In an era where businesses are judged not just by profits but by their purpose, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a necessity, not a luxury.
What if art could be the key to making your CSR strategy more impactful and memorable?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is aptly termed "the moral face of globalisation," and it’s more essential than ever in 2024.
In this guide, our corporate art curators outline one powerful approach: corporate art. By integrating art into CSR, brands can vividly showcase their values, strengthen community bonds, promote environmental awareness, support local and diverse community members — all while leaving a lasting impression on both employees and the public.
In this article, you'll find:
"CSR activities are self-regulated actions that a business can take in order to be more socially accountable to its stakeholders and the public in general."
The Benefit of Art for CSR Strategies
Environmental Awareness: Create eco-friendly initiatives through sustainable art.
Employee Retention: Foster creativity, pride and increased retention among employees by integrating art into the workplace.
Promote Inclusivity & Diversity: Collaborate with diverse artists and underrepresented communities.
Boost Public Perception: Enhance brand identity through meaningful art projects.
Strengthen Community Bonds: Use art to build connections and address local challenges.
CSR: is it worth it?
In today’s competitive and highly scrutinized market, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved from a corporate buzzword to a fundamental business strategy. By aligning their operations with the broader global ecosystem, companies can unlock tangible benefits, such as improved access to capital, increased sales, reduced operational costs, enhanced employee retention, and a stronger brand reputation. The numbers speak volumes: recent studies reveal that 89% of Gen Z and Millenials are likely to switch to a brand associated with good causes.
At its core, CSR reflects a company’s genuine desire to give back by being socially accountable—a principle that embodies the essence of "conscious capitalism." This concept, popularised by Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey and Raj Sisodia in 2014, underscores the idea that businesses thrive when they create value for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. Companies that go beyond superficial gestures and weave CSR authentically into their operations are more likely to endure, grow, and lead in today’s dynamic business landscape.
The Risks of Superficial CSR
While CSR can drive significant benefits, it has faced growing criticism, particularly when companies fail to align their actions with their promises. A stark example is Volkswagen’s emissions scandal, where the company marketed its vehicles as environmentally friendly yet their vehicles emitted up to 40 times the legal limit of nitrogen oxide, damaging not only the environment but also Volkswagen’s reputation. Half-hearted or performative efforts can damage morale, foster cynicism, and harm corporate culture. Such missteps highlight a critical truth: CSR must be built on accuracy, integrity, and genuine commitment.
The Rewards of Doing CSR Right
Ultimately, a well-executed CSR strategy offers immense rewards. When businesses integrate CSR authentically into their DNA, they cultivate trust and loyalty among both customers and employees. One study by organisational behaviourist Sigalit Ronen, sustainability expert Carol-Ann Tetrault Sirsly and workplace psychologist Silvia Bonaccio revealed a striking correlation: employees who see their company as genuinely giving back are more engaged, productive, and collaborative (Journal of Business Ethics, 2017).
"To be successful in business in the 21st century, you must successfully integrate corporate responsibility into the heart of the business."
— Phil Knight co-founder of Nike (1999)
The bottom line? CSR is worth it—but only if done right. However, it’s not a box to tick or a marketing gimmick. For companies willing to lead with authenticity, accountability, and a commitment to delivering value to all stakeholders, the opportunities are immense. Done right, CSR becomes more than a strategy; it becomes a competitive advantage that drives lasting success.
What is CSR in art?
CSR initiatives in the art world take many forms. Brands increasingly leverage corporate art initiatives to drive sustainability, foster community engagement and support meaningful causes that illuminate a brands identity.
Here are key ways companies integrate art into their CSR strategies:
Hiring local artists
Brands often collaborate with local artists to design products or curate spaces, supporting local talent while promoting cultural craftsmanship.
Sustainable art collections
Curate corporate art collections that focus on sustainability, raising awareness about environmental issues, employing sustainably-led, local artists, using responsible materials, all the while showcasing brand identity and values.
Sponsoring public art installations
Sponsoring public art projects allows companies to connect with the community. These initiatives align with CSR goals, elevating brand perception, community engagement and public goodwill.
Supporting art education
Many organisations invest in art education programs for underserved youth, making art a cornerstone of community empowerment within CSR strategies. These initiatives foster creativity, promote inclusivity, provide equal opportunities and bring new flavours of creativity to the brand or product.
Partnering with an exhibition art consultancy
Some brands harness an art consultancy's resources and know-how by collaborating with non-profits or local artists to host art exhibitions that highlight relevant societal issues — ultimately, using art as a platform for change.
Funding artist residencies
Others fund residencies for artists, focusing on cultural preservation, innovation, and the intersection of art and social impact.
What Brands are Already Harnessing the Power of Art for Their CSR Strategy?
Corporate art collections are typically one part of a CSR strategy; but it's important not to underestimate how art can drive positive impact. Above all, carefully procured artworks can align a company's social and environmental activities with its business purposes and values.
It is extremely common for organisations to have corporate art collections or to invest in art responsibly. Some key examples include: Nike, Louis Vuitton, Unilever, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, Google, Meta, LinkedIn.
Let's unpack how 3 ways Nike invested in the arts for CSR.
Nike
“Corporate responsibility challenges us to take a good, hard look at our business model, and understand our impact on the world around us.”
— Nike’s 2004 report
Nike x Homeboy Industries
As part of their CSR strategy, Nike frequently collaborates with local arts groups to design products and curate artistic spaces that reflect their social and environmental values.
Seen above, Nike collaborated with Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry programme globally, to create sneaker designs inspired by Latinx heritage. This initiative celebrated cultural vibrancy while championing inclusivity and social justice.
Schlesische27 Collaboration
In Berlin, Nike partnered with Schlesische27, an organisation engaging disadvantaged youth through art and culture. Together, they created vibrant murals that offered participants a platform for self-expression and community contribution.
#ConverseCityForests Campaign
Nike launched sustainable urban art projects featuring murals painted with CristalACTiV™️ photocatalytic paint. In Johannesburg, artist Seth Pimentel designed a mural capable of purifying air equivalent to planting 91 trees, blending creativity with environmental sustainability.
How Artelier can help:
Artelier's corporate art consultants specialise in curating sustainable art and community-driven art for businesses looking to enhance their CSR strategies. From sourcing trailblazing eco-minded artists to scouting local talent for impactful public art sculptures, we provide expert guidance to ensure your art initiatives achieve maximum impact.
If you’re ready to elevate your CSR strategy through art, reach out to us today. We'd love to help you create a meaningful connection between your business, community, and the environment.
4 Practical Steps for Implementing Corporate Art in CSR
This section offers up free actionable CSR examples for companies looking to get a sense for where to begin. Below are just some of the ways our corporate art advisors at Artelier can devise or implement CSR for your brand.
1
Identify your CSR goals
First our corporate art consultants will identify your CSR Goals. This tends to be what social, environmental, or cultural issues the company aims to address in addition to what creative, innovative and feasible ways art can achieve this.
2
Artist Research
Secondly, our art curators delve deep into artist reasearch — to procure the perfect artists for your goals & vision. Using a combination of our unique database of over 8,000+ artist contacts and portfolios (including an abundance of sustainably-focused artists), alongside new research into pioneers of innovative materials or methodologies, to collaborate with creatives that stand out.
Above all, our corporate art curators always ensure a balance between artistic freedom and brand messaging throughout the commissioning & curation process, so that your corporate art collection both speaks to employers and consumers while also being bespoke and memorable.
3
Get the community involved
Thirdly, we will assess any opportunity for community involvement, by meticulously analysing data and research on the local context — socially, culturally, geographically. We may engage with members of the community directly, to ensure the art initiative includes or benefits the community; this may either be through participation or by addressing community-specific concerns.
4
Establish metrics for success
Lastly, our expert corporate art advisory services will work with you to establish metrics for success, so that the impact of the art project on the environment, brand identity and commercial value can be communicated to stakeholders.
Conclusion
To conclude, implementing art into your corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy is a highly impactful way to build a strong CSR rapport for both your business and the wider community.
Let's summarise some key top benefits of corporate art for CSR:
Environmental Awareness
Employee Retention
Promoting Inclusivity & Diversity
Boost Public Perception
Strengthen Community Bonds
As sustainability and community engagement become central to corporate values, art offers a dynamic way for businesses of all sizes to achieve their CSR goals. From hiring local artists to bring diversity and innovation to office spaces, to engaging with community groups in sustainable art installations as part of your marketing campaigns, the opportunities are as diverse as they are impactful.
If you'd like expert guidance on delivering a corporate social responsibility strategy, our curators at Artelier are well equipped to elevate your future growth. We specialise in: art consultation for sustainable and nature-themed collections, art consultancy for global corporate expansion, and art for corporate settings. Get in touch with to learn more; we're happy to help.
Curator, Art Research & Editorial
Calypso holds a First-Class Honours BA in History of Art from the University of Bristol. She has written extensively for Artelier and international leading galleries on both corporate art and investment art. She also has experience in artist liaison, public art strategy and project management.