As corporate art consultants, Artelier develops strategies for corporate art collections and offers ongoing collection management. As well as supplying collectable artworks for law firms, we source and commission contemporary artists to create bespoke new artworks that respond to the context and company brand. If you would like to discover more about how we can help you develop a suitable collection for your law office, visit our dedicated corporate art page or get in touch.
When it comes to selecting art for your law office, there are a few things you need to take into account. The first is the type of law that you practice. If you have a more conservative practice, then you'll want to choose art that is more subtle and professional. If you have a less traditional practice, then you can be a bit more daring with your selections. You also need to take into account the size of your office and the amount of wall space that is available. In this article, we will discuss key steps and considerations to take, in order to arrive at a cohesive art collection.
1. Clarify your art budget with key stakeholders
If you are in charge of selecting the artworks for your law firm, you first need and indication of budget from key stakeholders such as senior partners, marketing or the COO. The budget will depend on whether you are looking to buy art purely for decorative purposes or if there is an art investment goal in mind. It is important to get an accurate idea of budget from the outset as this will help to focus your search and save time. Try to negotiate a potentially flexible budget option at this early stage or agree to prepare a high-end and more budget friendly option so that partners can see what different price points can get them.
Select a style that reflects your practice and culture
In order to create a cohesive and harmonious environment, the culture of your law practice should be clearly reflected in your artwork selection . The type of law you practice will usually give some indication as to the style of artwork required but it is also important to consider the feel or atmosphere that you are trying to create in your office space. If you want to encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking amongst your team, you might want to select more abstract pieces. If you are trying to convey a feeling of trust and professionalism, traditional paintings or photography may be more appropriate. It is also important to think about the clientele that you are trying to attract and how the right artworks can make the perfect first impression.
Consider enlisting the help of an art consultant
Art consultants have a wealth of experience and knowledge and can save you a lot of time and effort in sourcing artwork. They will be able to provide you with a range of options that fit within your budget and meet the desired style and atmosphere for your law firm. Art consultants will also be able to advise you on the installation process and help to coordinate everything so that it runs smoothly. If you want to find a good art consultant to work with, if you would like to enlist the help of an art consultant check out our list of the industry's best art consultants by region.
Identify locations for statement pieces, wall fillers & 3d sculptural works
Once you have a good idea of the style and budget for your law firm artwork, you can begin to identify locations for different pieces. Larger statement pieces usually look best in reception areas or meeting rooms where they will make a strong first impression.
Wall fillers should be smaller and cheaper and are perfect for corridors or waiting areas and can help to break up expanses of blank wall space. 3D sculptural works can be used to add interest and dimension to any space, they are particularly effective for outdoor spaces or near the main entrance to your law firm. Careful consideration should be made about how a statement sculpture would reflect your the values or culture of your law firm.
Decide whether you want bespoke artworks or off-the-shelf pieces
If you have a very specific vision for your law firm , you may want to commission bespoke pieces. This will obviously be more expensive than purchasing ready-made artworks but it will also give you the opportunity to have something completely unique that is tailored to your space. The benefit of commissioning art is that you will be working directly with the artist to ensure that the end product meets your expectations. If commissioning bespoke work it is advisable to enlist the help of a professional art consultant or curator to liaise with the artist and oversee the process as this can be highly time consuming.
If you decide to go down the route of purchasing ready-made artworks, there is an endless amount of options available to you. You can source pieces online or visit art galleries and exhibitions in person. Buying art online has the advantage of being quick and convenient but you won’t get to see the piece in person before making a purchase.
Consider investment grade art for the firms portfolio
If you are looking to invest in art for your law firm, it is important to do your research and purchase pieces from reputable galleries or dealers. It is also wise to focus on buying works by established artists as these are more likely to increase in value over time. Investment grade art should be viewed as a long-term investment so it is important to select timeless pieces that will evolve with the firms interior design over time. If you decide to go down this route speaking to specialist art advisors will be essential to ensure you arrive at quality pieces purchased from trustworthy sources. We recently wrote an article of the top 40 art advisors by genre which you may find useful.
Art Logistics and installation
Once you have selected the perfect artworks for your firm, it is time to think about logistics and installation. If you are buying ready-made artworks, the gallery or dealer will usually be able to arrange delivery and installation. If you have commissioned bespoke pieces through an art consultancy they should be able to arrange this for you as well as framing options.
If you are commissioning an artist directly you may have to organise the shipping and framing yourself in collaboration with the artist. It is important to make sure that the installation process runs smoothly as this is typically when artworks can get damaged and when problems occur. Art installation can also be disruptive for your business so ideally plan ahead and allow plenty of time for the artwork to be delivered and installed. If possible, it is a good idea to have the artworks installed outside of working hours by professional art handlers.
Host a private view and invite clients and community members
Once the artworks are installed, you can host a private view to show off your new law firm artwork. This is a great opportunity to invite clients and community members into your space and build relationships. Private views also tend to be well-attended so it is a good way to generate some positive publicity for the firm.
Make sure to promote the event in advance and send out invitations to your guests. You can also use this as an opportunity to launch a new website or rebranding. If you are working with an art consultancy, they may be able to help you with the planning and promotion of the event.
Conclusion
Adding art to your law firm can have a big impact on the look and feel of your space. It is important to take the time to select the right pieces and plan for a smooth installation process. If you are looking to invest in art, it is wise to buy from reputable galleries or dealers and focus on purchasing investment-grade artworks that will stand the test of time. Hosting a private view is a great way to show off your new artwork and build relationships with clients and community members.
If you require assistance with sourcing and commissioning art for your law firm, please get in touch, or visit our dedicated corporate art page to discover more. Our team here at Artelier has years of experience dealing with anything from one-off purchases to complex detailed projects involving the curation and installation of hundreds of artworks. Our dedicated curators would work with you to build a collection that perfectly reflects the values and culture of your firm, handling all of the headache of the logistics in order to bring your vision to life in a simple and straight-forward way.