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Why Incorporating Art Into Team Retreats Is a Game-Changer for Team Engagement


Reading Partners corporate workshop particpants

Recently, I had the pleasure of facilitating a collage workshop for the Reading Partners Talent Team. Their chief talent officer wanted to do something different for her team — something that went beyond the typical team-building activities. She was looking for an experience that would not only bring her team together but also invest in their well-being. This experience highlighted how powerful art-based activities can be in the workplace, offering something truly meaningful and impactful.


Team retreats and engagement activities have long been a part of corporate culture. Whether it’s through trust exercises, workshops, or team-building games, companies recognize the value of strengthening their teams. However, many of these traditional activities are predictable and often miss the mark when it comes to fostering deeper connections and creativity.


This is where art steps in. Incorporating art-based activities into team retreats offers a fresh, meaningful approach that goes beyond the typical agenda — and the results can be transformative.


Artist Jennifer Hudnell facilitating a collage workshop


A Different Kind of Team Retreat Experience

Art-based activities offer a refreshing alternative to standard team-building exercises. While traditional activities such as trust falls, problem-solving challenges, or team outings focus on external outcomes, art encourages introspection and personal expression. Instead of completing tasks with fixed rules or objectives, art invites participants to explore creativity without boundaries.


By engaging in creative processes like painting, collage, or sculpture, team members enter a more relaxed, open-minded state, leading to authentic communication and innovative thinking. Unlike conventional methods that often focus on skill-building or role-based collaboration, art taps into a different part of the brain — allowing participants to express themselves and connect on a more personal and emotional level. This shift in perspective is where deeper team bonding and engagement can occur.


How Art Enhances Team Engagement

1. Encourages Emotional Expression

Art offers a unique medium for individuals to express themselves in ways that words or traditional activities can't. Participants often discover new layers of their own emotions and thought processes while creating something tangible. The process of translating thoughts and feelings into abstract or visual form allows for deeper personal reflection and emotional engagement with colleagues.


2. Breaks Down Barriers

In a typical corporate environment, there can be unspoken social or hierarchical barriers that prevent open communication. Art allows everyone to approach the task from an equal footing, regardless of title or role. It removes the pressure to perform and invites everyone to participate in a collaborative, nonjudgmental space. This promotes genuine connection and teamwork, helping team members see each other in a new light.


3. Fosters Creativity and Innovation

Many team-building activities aim to stimulate creative thinking, but art-based exercises take this a step further by actively engaging participants in the creative process. Art encourages risk-taking and experimentation—essential skills for innovation. Through intuitive exercises and hands-on exploration, teams can find new ways to solve problems and approach challenges, skills that translate back into the workplace.


4. Supports Mental Well-Being

In today’s fast-paced work environments, employees are often under significant pressure. Offering art as part of a team retreat provides a relaxing, mindful activity that can help alleviate stress and improve mental well-being. It’s not just about the final product; it’s the process of creating something meaningful that helps participants slow down and reconnect with themselves. This, in turn, has a positive impact on their interactions with others.


Reading Partners collage workshop participants

A Powerful Tool for Team Growth

Art isn’t just for artists — it’s a dynamic way for teams to connect, reflect, and grow together. It goes beyond the surface-level activities we typically see in team-building exercises and instead offers a pathway to deeper, more meaningful engagement.


If you're looking to inspire and engage your team in a new, refreshing way, consider incorporating art into your next retreat. Whether it's through collage, painting, or another creative medium, art-based activities can be a powerful tool for fostering connection, innovation, and emotional well-being.


Interested in learning more? Let’s chat about how I can bring this unique experience to your workplace and help your team unlock their creative potential.

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