State Street’s comprehensive art program has resulted in over $665,000 in artist impact.

State Street’s workplace team set out to design a new headquarters in downtown Boston that reflected the company’s core values, including its commitment to inclusion and belonging. As they navigated the challenges of hybrid work and returning to the office, they sought to create an environment that would engage employees, attract top talent, and foster a sense of community.

To achieve these goals, State Street collaborated with ArtLifting to implement an innovative art program at One Congress and virtually. Through a large-scale print rotation program, investments in original artworks for executive spaces, and creative art licensing strategies, the partnership brings State Street’s values to life while supporting working artists with disabilities.

Cathedral Lights by Erik Jensen is displayed on the executive floor.

Spaces That Inspire: A Multifaceted Art Initiative

The project began with a simple yet powerful idea: to embed company values in State Street’s physical and virtual spaces to build a more resilient, diverse, and inclusive workforce. This meant curating artwork for 19 floors to enhance the design of the spaces while providing meaningful storytelling opportunities.

Through the partnership with ArtLifting, State Street has supported 73 artists with disabilities, introducing their teams and clients to over 460 unique artworks, thus far.

State Street's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leaders, Sharhea Wade, Vice President, Global Inclusion, Diversity & Equity, and Karen Faison, Vice President, Global Inclusion, Diversity & Equity, played a crucial role in shaping this vision. ArtLifting partnered closely with Sharhea and Karen to design a comprehensive art program that authentically represents State Street employees, branding, and the communities they serve. 

A core component of this program is the turnkey print rotation program. ArtLifting curators translated State Street company values into an annual print rotation program including hundreds of artworks across multiple floors. The bi-annual rotation keeps the workplace dynamic and engaging while creating consistent financial impact for artists with disabilities.

To fully connect with State Street’s diverse teams, the rotation program is curated to highlight all 20 of State Street's employee networks, visibility celebrating these employee resource groups and identities in the workplace through art and artist stories. In this way, the ArtLifting rotation program offers an ever-evolving display of diversity — a living testament to the company’s values and teams.

“I’m very grateful to have so many of my works selected for the State Street rotation. Not only do I feel supported and appreciated for my work, but financially the impact brings more stability as well.”

- Addison Barker, ArtLifting artist featured in State Street’s rental rotation program

In addition to the rotation program, the executive floor features a curated selection of original artworks, each showcasing innovative techniques, rich textures, and deeply personal narratives. Among these are Cathedral Lights by Erik Jensen, Waves to Remember Me By by Alicia Sterling Beach, and numerous paintings by Marc.

Erik Jensen, inspired by his upbringing as one of 10 children and his journey as a Deaf individual, creates large-scale artworks using hand-dyed computer keys. These keys are meticulously arranged to form vibrant shapes and colors visible from a distance, while up close, they reveal hidden poems and messages. Cathedral Lights, measuring approximately nine by five feet, exemplifies his passion for storytelling through this unique and sustainable medium. Jensen often incorporates hidden messages into his work. Cathedral Lights includes a hopeful quote by Victor Hugo: “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”

Alicia Sterling Beach’s Waves to Remember Me By is a seven by six feet basswood wall sculpture that mimics the motion of a wave in passing. Layered with precision, the piece reflects Alicia’s resilience in navigating chronic pain and housing insecurity, while her art transforms these challenges into beauty and harmony.

Marc’s paintings, crafted with thick layers of oil on wood panels, achieve a sculptural effect reminiscent of petals or waves. The impasto application of paint is so thick, his paintings can take over a year to completely cure. After being diagnosed with MS, Marc found solace in creating art, channeling his problem-solving skills into vibrant, textured works that serve as a medium for connection and perspective. 

Together, the original artwork by disabled artists brings powerful stories and exceptional craftsmanship to the executive floor, embodying creativity, innovation, and inclusion.

Lisa Murphy (left), Karen Faison (center), and Liz Powers (right) holding ArtLifting x State Street notebooks featuring Lisa Murphy's artwork, taken after Lisa's virtual workshop.

Art Beyond the Office Walls: Art Licensing and Employee Engagement

The collaboration between State Street and ArtLifting goes beyond physical artwork at One Congress. Art licensing and interactive workshops provide an equitable experience across the company’s hybrid work environment, ensuring remote and global employees can engage with the art and feel connected to State Street’s inclusive values and social impact.

“It feels like [my artworks] are playing a part in State Street’s diverse community culture, sharing different perspectives. Although I am not physically there, I feel included in this effort and in their work environment.”

- Juliana Alonso, ArtLifting artist featured in State Street’s artwork rotation. 

For Pride Month in June 2023, Boston-based artist Lisa Murphy hosted a virtual workshop. Her artwork is also displayed at One Congress. Lisa, whose abstract art reflects her identity as a Black queer woman, uses her work to explore themes of inclusion and equality. She shared how art helps her transform her experiences with chronic illness, depression, and anxiety into creative expression. 

The workshop was held at State Street's Boston Channel Center office and individuals participated in person and virtually. Lisa, joined by ArtLifting co-founder and CEO, Liz Powers, guided employees through a collage-making activity while discussing her journey as an artist and answering questions about her process. 

Her personal story, shaped by her experiences in Boston’s art community, resonated deeply with participants. The workshop allowed State Street to connect employees globally and celebrate LGBTQ pride. It also provided Lisa with a platform to share her journey. State Street further invested in Lisa by licensing her artwork for company communications, including posts celebrating Black History Month on social media.

State Street also purchased custom branded notebooks featuring work by various ArtLifting artists, including Lisa. These notebooks represent diverse stories that connect with their Employee Resource Groups and support the company's recruitment strategies.

During talent recruitment events, stylish branded notebooks serve as an important first touch point for prospective talent. The notebooks, which include Lisa Murphy’s story on the inside cover, allow State Street to connect top talent with their inclusive values visible while creating a social impact.

Panelists for How to Achieve ESG Goals Through Art at Disability:IN 2023. From left to right: Liz Powers, CEO and Co-founder of ArtLifting; Don Watson, SVP Real Estate and Facilities Management at Oracle; Aimee Hofmann, ArtLifting artist and owner of Aimee Hofmann Fine Arts; Laurie Rothenberg, Assistant General Counsel, Real Estate at Pfizer; Karen Faison, VP of Global Inclusion, Diversity & Equity at State Street. 

Leading the Conversation: Innovating How Companies Embrace Inclusion and Social Impact

ArtLifting’s partnership with State Street has extended to influential industry events, showcasing the impact of art on corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and inclusion initiatives. In 2023, Liz Powers and Karen Faison, participated in a panel discussion at the Disability:IN Global Conference & Expo in Orlando. 

During the conference, Liz, Karen, and ArtLifting artist Aimee Hofmann joined other real estate leaders on the panel titled How to Achieve ESG Goals Through Art. The panel explored how art enhances the workplace by sparking creativity, promoting diversity, and leveraging the built environment for social impact and supplier diversity reporting.

The speakers connected artists' innovative practices to the strategic goals of corporate real estate professionals, offering attendees insights into making their values visible through art while advancing disability inclusion in the workplace. 

When recounting State Street employee reactions to the artwork in their new headquarters, Karen said, “The employees wanted to know more about [the art]. They were all talking about it, getting up, gathering, giving their opinion on the pieces… it was so well-received.”

Additionally, Liz and ArtLifting participated in State Street's second annual Supplier Diversity Day. Liz spoke on a panel with other diverse businesses about their impactful partnerships with the company. Held at One Congress, the event emphasized the company's commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable supply chain. 

“I just hope that inclusion, representation, accessibility, are not things [individuals with disabilities] need to keep fighting for… I hope these become common practices for all businesses and organizations, and I hope they make this a mandatory part of their corporate culture and social responsibility.”

- Aimee Hofmann, ArtLifting artist during the panel How to Achieve ESG Goals through Art at Disability:IN, 2023

Inspiration in Action: The Power of Art and Purpose

State Street’s collaboration with ArtLifting exemplifies how art serves as a catalyst for inclusion, innovation, and social impact. By embedding artworks from artists with disabilities into the heart of their headquarters at One Congress, State Street has created an environment that reflects company values, enhances employee engagement, and fosters meaningful connections.

The partnership’s measurable impact is a testament to the power of corporate responsibility in action. Beyond activating the physical space with a print rotation program, initiatives such as art licensing and interactive workshops bridge the gap between hybrid and in-person workforces, ensuring that inclusion and diversity remain visible and celebrated.

State Street’s investment in art as a vehicle for storytelling and connection demonstrates the transformative potential of integrating creative expression into workplace culture. By championing underrepresented voices and making their values tangible, State Street sets a benchmark for how companies can leverage art to elevate their social impact goals and foster inclusive workplaces.

As this partnership continues to evolve, it underscores a powerful message: when businesses align their environments with their values, they inspire action, create lasting impact, and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Images

Page Banner: Damiano Austin’s painting Tous Les Bleus displayed at One Congress. Part of the Boston skyline can be seen in the background. 

1. Alicia Sterling Beach’s Waves to Remember Me By is displayed the executive floor. 

2. Frequency by Barbara Barnett hangs in a boardroom.

3. Three paintings by Marc hang along a corridor.

4. Two original paintings by Yvette hang in an open office area on the executive floor.

5. Boundless by Barbara Barnett hangs in a seating area.

6. The Indian That Sold Manhattan by Juan Bonilla hangs in an employee lounge area. 

7. Three prints by Michael Van Huffel hang in an open office space. 

8. Cheryl Kinderknecht’s Equinox: Vision Quest series is displayed along a corridor on the executive floor. 

9. Secret Garden by Yvette is displayed on the executive floor.