art, people and places

Virtual Collect: art, people and places

Welcome to 'Virtual Collect, people and places', the website we've constructed to enable you to have some influence over the art chosen for your working environment.

Why art?
We spend a large proportion of our lives in our work environment and it' s important this environment inspires us to do a good job. Experian has traditionally provided information about our company structure and our products and services on walls but in the shared areas, in corridors, meeting rooms and breakout spaces we recognise we need some additional inspiration.

How does Experian choose?
We're not art investors, nor are we experts so our basis for choosing work is influenced by a more ethical, community investment approach. We trawl the area where we are creating offices for emerging local artists and look for a local arts partner such as the charities Arts&Business and Business2Arts. Using their advice and expertise we select artists who are of sufficient quality, who are suitable for the work environment and who need the encouragement of working with business. We then make a shortlist of work which has some resonance with Experian and our brand values and consider whether there is work we'd like to buy or whether we can consider the artist for a commission to create work specifically for us. Then it's over to you.

How do I get my voice heard?
Using this site you can tell us your favourite artists from the selection provided. You can also comment on your selection. We will be creating a small working group of interested people to help us commission some work. In the past we have also involved our people in visits to artists' studios and the development of a relationship with the artists that goes beyond the immediate purchase of work.

Why bother?
By working in this way we feel we create links with the local community that go beyond the boundaries of traditional community involvement. We demonstrate our commitment to the local artist economy, involve our people and give a sense of what we're about as a company: doing the relevant thing in the right way.