Corporate Workshops

At “Art of Looking”, we use looking-at-art as a vehicle for developing skills that people in business value and need: observation skills, critical thinking, communication, problem solving. We use the Visual Thinking Strategies approach to viewing and discussing art as a means of accomplishing these goals.

The VTS approach is firmly based upon group interaction and the sharing of diverse viewpoints. It is facilitated in such a way that team members and colleagues listen to and build upon one another’s thoughts and opinions, while discussing various artworks. The group works together as a team to arrive at a deeper understanding about the artworks that are being discussed. This process serves to:

• Expand critical thinking and observational skills
• Engender the willingness and ability of group participants to find multiple solutions to complex problems
• Enable team members and colleagues to practice respectful, collaborative, problem-solving skills
• Encourage open, respectful communication
• Enhance listening skills
• Teach business people and professionals new ways of approaching and making sense of enigmatic material
• Enhance team building

Skills gained through art workshops can be applied to any number of situations within the workplace. Research has shown that ” . . . in the process of looking at and talking about art, the viewer is developing skills not ordinarily associated with art. These findings were consistent over a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic contexts”. (Housen, 1992, 2000, 2002; Housen, Desantis and Duke, 1997) Visual Thinking Strategies can be applied and adapted to concepts and ideas beyond art. We can work together with your organization to develop a workshop or series of workshops that are uniquely tailored to your needs. We can begin with art, and then move on to other areas, using the VTS approach.