Need to get into your creative flow for the next project? Time to pick up a brush and start channelling your inner Picasso.

Research tells us that engaging in art activities, whether through admiring artworks or creating your own, bestows tremendous benefits.

It helps us develop critical thinking, activates the parts of our brain associated with problem-solving and creativity, builds empathy, improves your memory, and promotes better mental wellbeing. If that list isn’t long enough, findings also tell us that when you create art, you build psychological resilience as well!

Here are five ways to start incorporating art in life and at work:

#1 Pin up artworks that you love on your cubicle walls

Scientists tell us that the simple act of looking at beautiful art lights up the part of our brain associated with daydreaming, meaning-making, well-being, and imagination. Here’s a way to help your brain pause, refresh, and get inspired during a long workday: pin up some of your favourite artworks on your cubicle walls or comics to inject some light-heartedness and humour at work.

#2 Integrate art in problem-solving at the workplace

Use art as a tool during brainstorming discussions with your team. Prepare collaborative tools such as whiteboards, flipcharts, and markers. Create mind maps or visual storytelling to help your team draw out their ideas, solutions, and challenges. This makes it far easier to visualise concepts, think out of the box, and co-create solutions.

#3 Use art to manifest your personal and professional goals

Instead of making a list of goals for the year, try creating a vision board with an artistic timeline with milestones for your aspirations in life and at work. Psychologists tell us that vision boards help us gain more clarity and self-awareness and reflect on what is important to us, and in the process aid us in imagining a more positive future.

Compared to lists which are linear, a vision board allows you to freely explore your goals and map out associations such as motivations, challenges, priorities, and what you need to do to achieve your goals. For more inspiration, draw little rewards to be awarded when you hit milestones.

#4 Join an art workshop or programme

As research tells us, the process of painting, drawing, or doodling directly contributes to better mental health and stronger lateral thinking. The best part? Producing great art is not the point; the creative journey alone impacts your brain’s chemistry and makes you a happier and calm person.

But if you would like to go beyond colouring books and drawing stick figures, art courses are quite accessible in Singapore. Unsure of where to begin? Browse through courses from calligraphy and watercolour to ceramics and oil painting by the People’s Association. Or cultivate mindfulness via National Gallery Singapore’s Slow Art programme.

#5 Make time for art appreciation

Singapore is one of the most happening art hubs in Asia, so capitalise on that and make time for art events and activities. For a start, drop by the National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum, look out for street and public art, and visit independent art galleries around the island.

Arts events happen around the year as well. For example, the upcoming Singapore Art Week (17–26 January 2025) has lined up the iconic annual Light to Night Festival and thought-provoking exhibitions by local and international artists. Time to light up the neural networks through a visual feast!

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