Art Set by GAEP, an initiative launched by GAEP Gallery in 2021, supports companies in integrating art into their workspaces as a strategy for attracting and retaining talent. This comes at a time when more and more organisations recognise the importance of an inspiring and creative work environment as a key component of their HR strategy. Today, the service is used by companies with a combined business volume of €400 million.
“Nowadays, job candidates are looking for more than just a paycheck. The culture and identity of an organisation, as reflected in its work environment, have become increasingly important. With Art Set, companies can create attractive, inspiring workspaces that foster creativity and collaboration. This enables them to communicate values that employees care about – openness, teamwork, communication, and flexibility,” says Andrei Breahnă, founder of Art Set by GAEP.
According to a recent international study, 69% of employees believe that having art in the workplace significantly contributes to well-being, and 77% say that cultural or social events organised in the office positively influence organisational culture and strengthen team cohesion. Furthermore, 94% of respondents agree that art contributes to a more welcoming and pleasant work environment – an essential feature of an open and collaborative organisational culture.
Art: A New Lever for Talent Retention and Productivity
In today’s context—marked by the rise of remote work and increased competition from co-working spaces— companies are seeking innovative ways to attract and retain talent. Integrating art into the workplace has proven to be a subtle yet effective strategy to boost employee satisfaction, productivity, and loyalty.
For Generation Z and Millennials, who now represent a significant share of the workforce, flexibility and a creative work environment are essential factors when considering a job. One recent study reveals that 26% of Gen Z candidates worry they won’t find a job they’re excited about, prompting many employers to rethink their employee value propositions.
Companies that offer flexible schedules and create meaningful work environments are more likely to attract talent from this generation. In addition, 62% of Gen Z candidates place strong emphasis on health and wellness.
Moreover, studies show that 75% of employees working in offices where art is meaningfully integrated prefer their office over working from home, compared to only 53% of those in neutral or minimally designed spaces.
Beyond HR strategies, Art Set by GAEP also plays a role in supporting cultural transformation within organisations and strengthening corporate reputation. It’s not just about redesigning workspaces, but about embracing a broader vision—creating environments that reflect a company’s values and contribute to lasting organisational change.
Objective: Triple the Client Base by 2026
Companies that have embraced art as a service span a variety of industries—from transportation and logistics to real estate and financial services. Current clients include Macromex, Kuehne+Nagel, COS, and Promelek XXI, with a combined turnover of nearly €400 million. Art Set by GAEP aims to expand its portfolio and triple its client base by 2026.
“We’re focusing on organic growth and diversifying our service offerings, aiming to work with around 100 companies in the next three years. We’re seeing increasing interest from local businesses in this type of project,” says Andrei Breahnă. According to him, t
contract values vary based on the number of artworks displayed and the number of activities carried out for each company, ranging between €500 and €3,000 per month.
Art Set by GAEP sees art as a catalyst for change and development in the workplace, integrating it strategically through exhibitions and interactive events. In this way, art becomes more than an aesthetic choice—it becomes a tool for meeting employee engagement and retention goals. While international markets are more mature, with numerous providers offering artwork rental and leasing services, Art Set by GAEP remains unique on the local market for its integrated approach that transforms art into an engine for organisational transformation.