In a bold move to enhance workplace diversity and inclusion, PayPal collaborated with ArtLifting to acquire and install original artwork and prints at various office locations. The executive suite at PayPal’s San Jose headquarters was outfitted with several original artworks by Marc and former ArtLifting artist Tim Strouss.

PayPal's mission of democratizing financial services resonated with ArtLifting's objective of providing opportunities for marginalized artists. This shared vision propelled PayPal to embark on a series of projects with ArtLifting at offices around the US. As PayPal continues to expand its partnership with ArtLifting, it reaffirms its dedication to championing diversity and equity in all aspects of its operations.

The ArtLifting team and featured artists visited the PayPal HQ to see the installation, where Marc got a chance to meet Daniel Schulman, CEO of PayPal. Marc’s paintings hang in the executive suite outside Schulman’s office.

During the visit, ArtLifting co-founder and CEO Liz Powers sat down with Aoife Cahill, former Head of Global Workplace Design to chat about how PayPal makes their company values visible and the impact of inclusive art strategies on teams.

What made you first decide to work with ArtLifting?

When the first email came across our desks, what first struck us was that our companies are so alike — PayPal is all about bringing money to people who can’t traditionally access a bank account, and to reimagine that in a different way, through art, we had to get involved.

Can you speak on how ArtLifting’s ethos relates to PayPal’s?

PayPal is all about bringing money to people who can’t traditionally access a bank account, and ArtLifting is providing exactly the kind of opportunity for artists that PayPal is, from a different direction. We were super excited to connect our missions about democratizing financial services and serving the underserved. The link between PayPal and ArtLifting is just unmissable. The art is made by the very people PayPal are trying to reach and empower.

What made you choose ArtLifting over other “traditional” art companies?

The difference with ArtLifting is that it is all about social awareness, bringing the spirit of what PayPal is quintessentially trying to do into the workplace, as well as providing a beautiful piece of art for people to look at. ArtLifting has this “elevated” level that a regular piece of art can’t ever hit for us.

How has the experience of working with ArtLifting been?

This has been an exciting collaboration — because that’s what it is, a collaboration. Since we first connected, about a year ago, everything has been “here’s what we want to achieve… can we do it with ArtLifting?” Everything has been “absolutely, yes.” It’s actually removed a lot of office politics and arguments about colors and taste and art styles people prefer. They see the pieces and connect with the artists’ stories and they just love it.

What has been the reaction from PayPal employees?

There’s been a sense of being given a “gift” of art in the workplace… that senior management values how we feel at work so much that they will spend money on art. We’ve put ArtLifting into our Scottsdale office, the executive office in San Jose, the VP’s office in Timonium… we’re putting ArtLifting as many places as we possibly can, working towards getting the art globally. We get really positive feedback after every install, especially including the informational plaques about ArtLifting’s mission and how it ties in with PayPal’s mission. People have just loved it, from employees to customers and partners. It’s lifted our space with color and story. It’s a major talking point with visitors and clients. Many employees have asked about how they can purchase the art for themselves.

Images

1. Daniel Schulman and Liz Powers pose in front of paintings by Marc.
2. Marc stands in front of an arrangement of three of his paintings.
3. Three canvas prints hang on a wall.
4. Liz Powers and Tim Strouss pose with one of his paintings hanging in a hallway.
5. Christina Bailey and Elliott Taylor pose 'lifting' a painting by Marc onto a wall.