PayPal Uplifts Artists with Disabilities Nationwide

PayPal has filled their executive suite and several offices across the country with ArtLifting artwork. All of the artists are homeless or have disabilities. I had the chance to sit down with Aoife Cahill, Head of Global Workplace Design, to discuss why PayPal made this decision and how it has affected their employees.

Above: ArtLifting artist Marc with his original artwork purchased by PayPal, Wilted Petals and Golden Flock.

What made you first decide to work with ArtLifting?

When the first email came across our desks, what first struck us was that our companies are so alike — PayPal is all about bringing money to people who can’t traditionally access a bank account, and to reimagine that in a different way, through art, we had to get involved.

Can you speak on how ArtLifting’s ethos relates to PayPal’s?

PayPal is all about bringing money to people who can’t traditionally access a bank account, and ArtLifting is providing exactly the kind of opportunity for artists that PayPal is, from a different direction. We were super excited to connect our missions about democratizing financial services and serving the underserved. The link between PayPal and ArtLifting is just unmissable. The art is made by the very people PayPal are trying to reach and empower.

Above, from left to right: Triangle Mandala by Shannon, Seashells by Naomi Rosen, All in an Attempt to Hit the Last Note by Charles Blackwell

What made you choose ArtLifting over other “traditional” art companies?

The difference with ArtLifting is that it is all about social awareness, bringing the spirit of what PayPal is quintessentially trying to do into the workplace, as well as providing a beautiful piece of art for people to look at. ArtLifting has this “elevated” level that a regular piece of art can’t ever hit for us.

Right: ArtLifting's Chief Growth Officer Christina Bailey and Artist Program Manager Elliott Taylor in an "uplifting" pose with one of artist Marc's pieces.

How has the experience of working with ArtLifting been?

This has been an exciting collaboration — because that’s what it is, a collaboration. Since we first connected, about a year ago, everything has been “here’s what we want to achieve… can we do it with ArtLifting?” Everything has been “absolutely, yes.” It’s actually removed a lot of office politics and arguments about colors and taste and art styles people prefer. They see the pieces and connect with the artists’ stories and they just love it.

Left: ArtLifting artist Tim Strouss with his piece "Needs Lite."

What has been the reaction from PayPal employees?

There’s been a sense of being given a “gift” of art in the workplace… that senior management values how we feel at work so much that they will spend money on art. We’ve put ArtLifting into our Scottsdale office, the executive office in San Jose, the VP’s office in Timonium… we’re putting ArtLifting as many places as we possibly can, working towards getting the art globally. We get really positive feedback after every install, especially including the informational plaques about ArtLifting’s mission and how it ties in with PayPal’s mission. People have just loved it, from employees to customers and partners. It’s lifted our space with color and story. It’s a major talking point with visitors and clients. Many employees have asked about how they can purchase the art for themselves.

Above: Marc stands with his original artwork displayed outside PayPal CEO Daniel Schulman's office.

Learn more about ArtLifting's impact and the featured artists Tim Strouss and Marc at www.ArtLifting.com.