The Art of Company Culture: More Than Just Free Bagels and Bean Bags

Ever wandered into an art gallery and felt the vibe was off, even though the art was on point? That’s company culture in the arts for you, often as overlooked as the free wine at a gallery opening. It’s the mysterious essence that can make a workplace a masterpiece or a complete mess.

Why Cultivating Culture Isn’t a Bob Ross ‘Happy Accident’

In the arts, company culture is the canvas on which the organization’s values, behaviors, and creativity are splashed across. Yet, many companies treat it like the last-minute guest at the party—acknowledged but not really welcomed. When they do talk about it, they’re likely to slather on the buzzwords thickly, turning the sacred spiel about culture into a sales pitch. “We’re innovative and dynamic!” they proclaim, as if they’re trying to sell you the latest smartphone rather than a philosophy you’d want to live by for 40-plus hours a week.

In the world of the arts, where creativity and expression are the currency of value, company culture should be a masterpiece, a vivid tapestry that weaves together the collective spirit, ethos, and imagination of its people. However, the stark reality is that many institutions treat culture as an afterthought—a vague concept acknowledged in passing, like an unexpected plus-one awkwardly standing at the fringes of an intimate gathering. They’re there, but not part of the core celebration.

When the time comes to articulate their culture, companies often reach for a thesaurus rather than a heart-to-heart conversation. The language of “synergy,” “innovation,” and “dynamic” flows as freely as if they were describing the features of a gadget, not the foundational principles that govern the human elements of work life. This reduction of culture to marketing jargon is akin to painting by numbers—it’s technically art, but it lacks the soul and authenticity of a handcrafted piece.

“We’re innovative and dynamic!” they tout, with all the finesse of a late-night infomercial host. It’s as though they are peddling a product with an expiration date, rather than cultivating a living, breathing philosophy that shapes every minute of the workday. True culture in the arts isn’t a one-size-fits-all print; it’s a collective mural that evolves with each brushstroke contributed by its members.

Art organizations, in particular, should understand that culture isn’t just a matter of aesthetics; it’s about how freely ideas flow, how robustly diversity is embraced, and how deeply each member is connected to the mission. It’s not enough to have a statement hanging on the wall like a forgotten exhibit. Culture should be the lifeblood of the organization, a force that’s felt in every interaction, decision, and creation, echoing the profound and often disruptive nature of art itself.

The Productification of Culture: A Modern Art Disaster

Let’s unpack this: Job descriptions are the storefront of the corporate world, and too often, they resemble an IKEA furniture set—seemingly straightforward, with an illusion of simplicity. Yet, when you dive into the assembly process, you find yourself deciphering hieroglyphics that demand both your sanity and soul. These descriptions tout trendy office perks like ping-pong tables and mandatory fun at team-building retreats, all while masquerading under the guise of “company culture.” But can you really equate a foosball championship with the heart of organizational ethos?

In a marketplace obsessed with the veneer of Silicon Valley chic, where “synergy” is splattered across every wall like avant-garde art, there’s a tendency to commoditize culture. It becomes an item ticked off a checklist, a feature highlighted in a job posting, rather than the living, breathing core of the company. But let’s be real—when was the last time a bean bag chair sparked a renaissance of innovation?

This superficial approach can bury the genuine spirit of a creative environment faster than you can say “flat-pack.” It ignores the deeper, essential elements like mutual respect, intellectual freedom, and the genuine joy of creation that are the hallmarks of a truly thriving workplace. When culture is crafted authentically, it’s not about decking the halls with eclectic art and hoping inspiration strikes; it’s about fostering an atmosphere where ideas are valued over ping-pong prowess, and individuality is celebrated over corporate homogeneity.

In their quest to be the workplace equivalent of the “cool kid,” companies may forget that what makes a space truly innovative isn’t the frills and gimmicks, but the freedom to challenge, to debate, and to dream. When the superficial perks become the focus, the true purpose of culture—empowering people to perform at their best, together—is lost. It’s high time we flipped the script and started treating company culture not as a product to be marketed but as the craft of cultivating a shared vision and values that resonate on a deeper level.

Conditioned for the Hunt, Not the Habitat

Job hunters are conditioned to be like Indiana Jones, looking for the Holy Grail of employment but forgetting to check if there are booby traps (a toxic workplace). We’re often so focused on getting the job that we forget to ask if we even like the place. Do you want to be a part of a culture that treats innovation like a quarterly bonus, or one that lives and breathes originality?

As job hunters, we gear up for the quest with a CV as our map and a polished LinkedIn profile as our trusty whip. The search feels thrilling, an adventure leading to the Holy Grail of employment—an offer letter sealed with prestige and promise. Yet, in this adrenaline-fueled expedition, how often do we pause to consider the cavernous depths behind the glittering fa?ade? It’s easy to miss the signs of a toxic workplace when you’re dodging the rolling boulders of unemployment or underemployment.

In this crusade for employment, our focus can laser in on “getting the job” while the equally crucial “wanting the job” gets lost in the underbrush. It’s not just about if you can perform the role, but if you actually want to—to be part of a daily grind that might grind more than just coffee. Ask yourself: are you prepared to commit to a culture that merely pats innovation on the head and sends it to the corner until the next quarterly review? Or are you seeking an environment where creativity doesn’t just poke its head out during brainstorming sessions but roams wild and free, shaping everything from the break room to the boardroom?

A workplace where originality is the currency and bold ideas are the daily specials can turn the mundane into the magical. Yet, it’s a rare find, often obscured by the allure of superficial perks. Without due diligence, you might just find yourself in a snake pit of stifling hierarchies and outdated dogmas, where the phrase “but we’ve always done it this way” is chanted like a mantra.

Therefore, as you stand at the threshold, CV in hand, take a moment to look beyond the job description. Peer into the realm you’re about to enter and ask if this is a place where you’re content to be a cog in the machine or if you’re ready to throw a wrench in the works and redefine the mechanism altogether. Because at the end of the day, you shouldn’t just be finding a job; you should be finding a home for your ambitions, a sanctuary for your skills, and a battleground for your boldest ideas.

The Cultural Fit or Misfit: Dare to Disrupt

And what if you’re not just looking to fit in but to shake things up? If you’re the type to question why the weekly status meeting is as ineffective as a chocolate teapot, you might be seeking a culture that doesn’t just tolerate change-makers but welcomes them with open arms. Arts organizations often claim to value “disruptive thinking,” but if the last disruptive thing they did was switch from cream to almond milk in the break room, it’s time to read between the lines.

Company culture in the arts isn’t just important—it’s essential, as essential as the controversy in Banksy’s art. It’s about creating a space where creativity isn’t just encouraged but is as natural as breathing. It’s about crafting an environment where every day feels like opening night. So before you accept the offer, ask yourself if you’re ready to dance to the beat of their drum or if you’re there to remix the track. Remember, the right culture can turn a job into a calling, and isn’t that what we’re all searching for in the arts?

Denise "The Vamp DeVille" Zubizarreta is a neurodivergent artist of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, with over a decade of experience in various creative fields. She is currently an arts and culture writer for multiple leading online publications that offer curated and critical perspectives on contemporary arts and culture.

Denise holds a B.F.A. in Fine Art from the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD), and is pursuing her Masters in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management (M.A.L.C.M.) degree at Colorado State University. Her passion for arts and culture drives her to explore and challenge the intersections of post-colonial theory, identity, technology and traditions in her writing and mixed media works.